Inter Milan vs Bologna: Match Preview

The past week has proven to be the first round of serious tests for manager Simone Inzaghi. A draw with Sampdoria away and a tough late loss to Real Madrid at home off the back of the international break have not kicked off a busy month of September the way that we wanted, but there is plenty of time to get things on track. Saturday’s home match against Bologna is a great place to start. The Nerazzurri will be looking to finally put results together with the impressive performance from Wednesday night.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

As previously discussed, the post-international break hangover has been real for Inter. In both the draw to Sampdoria and loss to Madrid, the players began to look heavy-legged late on. This halted Inter’s chances to chase the match against Sampdoria and to hold onto a draw against Madrid. No rest for the weary, though. Saturday’s match will be against an unbeaten Bologna team so far this season. However, being at home will be a big boost for Inter, who have drawn impressive and loud crowds for their two home matches so far this season.

Rotation could be on the horizon, as Denzel Dumfries, Arturo Vidal, Joaquin Correa, and Danilo D’Ambrosio may all make their first starts of the season. Edin Dzeko especially needs some rest, as he has played all except three minutes of Inter’s season so far. Regardless of who starts, if Inter bring the same attacking and pressing intensity that they showed on Wednesday, the three points should be there for the taking. Despite the last two results, remarks by Inzaghi and his players have been positive, indicating that everyone is working harmoniously, something we are not always accustomed to at this club.

Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

Bologna, led by Sinisa Mihajlovic, who was linked to the Inter job this past summer, have started this season well so far. Despite kicking off the season with a first round Coppa Italia exit to Serie B Ternana, they have yet to lose in Serie A. Wins over Salernitana and Verona have come on either side of a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta, an impressive result in itself. They have proven they can stifle one of the best attacking teams in the league.

With Inter treble legend Marko Arnautovic up top, the Bologna attack has not been the most potent force so far this season. Right back Lorenzo Di Silvestri leads the team in goals with two early into this Serie A campaign. However, with Musa Barrow, Arnautovic, and Riccardo Orsolini leading the line with the emerging Mattias Svanberg supporting them from the midfield, they can pose a threat going forward. Former Inter midfielder and defender Gary Medel has also been anchoring the defense. He is perhaps someone Inter can target both in the air and with pace.

Previous Results

0-1 (A) - 3/4/2021

3-1 (H) - 5/12/2020

Predicted Starting XIs

Prediction: Inter 3-1 Bologna

After finally finding their intensity in a bigger match on Wednesday, Inter should come out with that same energy and kill off this game fairly quickly. The high line will be too much for Bologna to get numbers in behind and their defense will struggle to cope with the continuous pressure. The players are beginning to see the merits of the Inzaghi system. As they continue to buy into it, more results like this will come. Aaron Hickey vs Dumfries could be a really interesting battle. Watch for goals from Correa, Lautaro, and Dumfries.

Forza Inter!