Monza vs Inter Milan: Match Preview

Still very fresh off of the 1-0 win over Napoli on Wednesday, Inter Milan make the short trip to Monza for a second Serie A match on the week. With a strong and healthy squad at his disposal, Simone Inzaghi may still need to balance rotation and team strength to handle a plucky Monza side.

Photo by Lisa Guglielmi/LiveMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In their first-ever Serie A season, Monza have put themselves in a decent position to stay alive in the Italian top flight, at least to this point. Five wins and two draws from 16 matches have the newcomers sitting a comfortable eight points above the drop zone under owner Silvio Berlusconi and manager Raffaele Palladino.

Despite their newly promoted status, Monza do boast plenty of familiar Serie A faces, including Armando Izzo, Matteo Pessina, Andrea Petagna, Gianluca Caprari, and Stefano Sensi, who is recovering from a fibula fracture suffered in November.

Photo by Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

For the first time in a while, Inter are in the Serie A top four. It has been a season of setbacks in the league, but with the Nerazzurri recovering from injuries, bad form, and other various early-season woes, they look as formidable as ever. The win over Napoli even demonstrated a defensive prowess that has been missing for quite some time. There is plenty of momentum for Inter to seize on as they try to claw their way back into serious contender conversations.

Edin Dzeko left the Napoli game with cramps, but seems to be okay. Only Marcelo Brozovic is a guaranteed absence in this match, but with Hakan Calhanoglu orchestrating the midfield, the Croat can take his time in recovery.

Previous Results

1-0 (H) - 13/11/2020 (Friendly)

Predicted Starting XIs

Prediction: Monza 1-3 Inter

Inter’s away form has been less than stellar this season, but with the strides made just before and just after the World Cup break, this is the time for them to pick up the slack away from San Siro. Monza are still a decent side, and could very well grab a goal. However, this matchup has the makings of being Romelu Lukaku’s coming out party. Expect a goal or two from the big number 90.

Forza Inter!