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Inter Milan and Lazio will clash in the semi-final of the Supercoppa Italiana at the KSU Stadium on Friday.
Inter Milan are the defending champions of the Supercoppa Italiana, having beaten AC Milan 3-0 in the final to clinch the trophy last year. Simone Inzaghi is widely renowned as a cup specialist and they will fancy their chances of booking a berth in the final at the cost of the manager's former side.
Inter Milan have been the most dominant team in the Serie A this season. The league leaders thrashed Monza 5-1 last weekend, courtesy of a pair of braces from Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez and a late strike from Marcus Thuram.
Martinez has been on a mission this term and has so far netted 20 goals across all competitions for the Nerazzurri.
Lazio, meanwhile, head into Friday's game on the back of a couple of narrow 1-0 wins over Roma and Lecce in the Coppa Italia and Serie A respectively.
Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has been critical of Italian football for prioritizing monetary gains over the welfare of players by sending them to Saudi Arabia in the middle of a hectic period. The Italian manager has been vocal about his displeasure over the intense schedule in recent times.
But Lazio are doing well on the pitch. They have won their last five matches across all competitions with their last loss, incidentally, coming against Inter Milan in Serie A on December 18.
Inter Milan vs Lazio Prediction
Inter Milan are not only a free-scoring unit but they're also defensively sturdy. Lazio will need to outdo themselves to stop the Nerazzurri in Riyadh on Friday. Furthermore, Inzaghi's expertise in cup competitions also gives Inter the edge here.
The winners of the Coppa Italia and the Serie A runners-up will clash in Saudi Arabia for a spot in the Super Cup final on Friday.
Both teams are in excellent form. Inter Milan haven’t lost in 20 matches, while Lazio are on a five-game winning streak.
The Nerazzurri are in fantastic form and are looking to win the first trophy of 2024. The winner of the last two Super Cups has begun the year with back-to-back wins.
In the last round in Serie A, Simone Inzaghi’s team continued their march toward the Scudetto with a 5-1 win against Monza.
Despite their impressive run of form and losing just one game in Serie A, they’re only two points ahead of Juventus.
After a horrible start to the season, Lazio look back to their best. Maurizio Sarri’s team are now sixth in the league table, only one point off of fourth place.
The Eagles secured a 1-0 victory at home against Lecce last time out, with Felipe Anderson scoring the only goal of the game.
Recently, last season's runners-up qualified for the Coppa Italia semi-finals after a 1-0 win against their fierce rivals AS Roma.
The two teams last faced each other last month, when Inter earned a 2-0 victory at Stadio Olimpico.
Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram scored the winning goals for the Nerazzuri and we’re backing the former to get on the scoresheet again.
This is usually a game of tight margins and the intensity of it being a semi-final should only add to that, so we’re predicting under 2.5 goals.
The stakes are high as Inter Milan and Lazio prepare to face off in Riyadh for a coveted spot in the Supercoppa Italiana final. This match, featuring last season’s Coppa Italia winners against the Serie A runners-up, is set to be a thrilling encounter that will test the tactical acumen of both Simone Inzaghi and Maurizio Sarri.
Inter Milan’s Cup Expertise
Inter Milan, under Inzaghi’s guidance, are no strangers to cup glory, as evidenced by their triumph over AC Milan in last year’s final. Fresh off a dominant 5-1 victory against Monza, Inter’s form is formidable, with Lautaro Martinez in scintillating goal-scoring form. Inzaghi will be keen to leverage his experience and squad depth to navigate this high-stakes match.
Lazio’s Resilience Under Sarri
Despite Sarri’s criticisms of the competition’s format and schedule, Lazio has been in impressive form. A string of consecutive victories, including a crucial win over Roma, highlights their resilience and tactical evolution under Sarri. Lazio’s defensive solidity, paired with their effective counter-attacking play, could pose a significant challenge to Inter.
Tactical Analysis and Predictions
Inter Milan’s Balanced Approach
Inter’s style under Inzaghi is characterised by a balanced approach, blending solid defence with incisive attacking play. Martinez’s form upfront is crucial, but the team’s overall cohesion and ability to control the midfield will be key against Lazio.
Lazio’s Tactical Discipline
Sarri’s Lazio is known for their disciplined structure and tactical flexibility. While their attacking output, especially from Ciro Immobile, has been inconsistent, their improved defensive performances could be vital in containing Inter’s potent attack.
Player Showdowns and Key Duels
Martinez vs Lazio’s Defence
Lautaro Martinez, with his remarkable goal-scoring record, will be the focal point of Inter’s attack. His movement and finishing ability will test Lazio’s defensive pairing of Fuentes and Romagnoli.
Inter’s Midfield vs Lazio’s Counter-Attack
The battle in midfield will be crucial, with Inter’s Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan pitted against Lazio’s Vecino and Alberto. Lazio’s ability to disrupt Inter’s possession and launch effective counter-attacks could be a determining factor.
Managerial Matchup
Inzaghi’s Cup Prowess
Inzaghi’s record in cup competitions, combined with his deep understanding of his squad’s strengths, makes him a formidable tactician in knockout games. His ability to make in-game adjustments could prove pivotal.
Sarri’s Tactical Nuance
Sarri’s criticisms of the competition’s structure aside, his tactical nous cannot be underestimated. His ability to motivate and tactically prepare his team, especially in high-pressure matches, will be crucial.
Team News and Expected Lineups
Inter Milan’s Solid Setup
Despite the absence of Juan Cuadrado, Inter’s lineup looks robust. Inzaghi is likely to deploy a strong attacking duo of Thuram and Martinez, supported by a dynamic midfield and solid defence.
Lazio’s Injury Concerns
Lazio faces selection issues with Patric’s injury and doubts over Zaccagni’s fitness. Immobile’s goal drought is a concern, but Sarri’s side has enough quality to compensate, especially with Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson in support.
Inter Milan Expected Lineup:
Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Lazio Expected Lineup:
Provedel; Lazzari, Fuentes, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Vecino, Alberto; Pedro, Immobile, Anderson
Expanded Predictions with Rationale
Prediction 1: Both Teams to Score – Yes
Given both teams’ attacking capabilities and recent form, it’s likely that both will find the back of the net. Inter’s offensive prowess, led by Martinez, is well-documented, while Lazio, under Sarri, has shown they can score against top opposition.
Prediction 2: Correct Score – Inter Milan 2-1 Lazio
A 2-1 victory for Inter seems plausible considering their recent form and Lazio’s resilience. Inter’s attacking strength, combined with Lazio’s potential to exploit any defensive lapses, suggests a closely fought match with Inter edging it.
Prediction 3: Goalscorer – Lautaro Martinez
Martinez, with his outstanding goal-scoring record, is a prime candidate to score. His sharpness in front of goal and crucial role in Inter’s attacking setup make him a likely scorer in this high-profile match.
Prediction 4: Corner Prediction – Inter Milan More Corners, Total Corners Over 9
Inter’s attacking style, which often involves width and crosses, could result in more corners for them. The total number of corners in the game is expected to be high, considering both teams’ propensity to attack from the flanks.
The Supercoppa Italiana is undergoing a significant format change this year, departing from its traditional single-match structure. Instead of the usual face-off between the Serie A and Coppa Italia winners, four teams are now participating in a mini-tournament with two semi-finals and a final, akin to the Spanish Super Cup system.
Inter Milan secured their spot as the Coppa Italia holders by defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in the previous season’s final. Despite being eliminated in the last 16 this season, Inter remains in a strong position at the halfway mark of the Serie A season, leading the table by five points. With 16 wins in 20 league matches, their only setback came against Sassuolo in September.
In contrast, Lazio, last season’s Serie A runners-up, find themselves out of the title race this year. After 20 games, they have won 10 and lost seven, placing just outside the top four and trailing Inter Milan by a considerable 18 points. Despite their domestic challenges, Lazio have performed well in cup competitions, reaching the Champions League last 16 and the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Kick-Off:
Saturday, 20 January, 2024 at 07:00 PM GMT (12:30 AM IST)
Location: Al-Awwal Stadium
Form
Inter Milan (in all competitions): L-W-D-W-W
Lazio (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W
Players to Watch
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Inter’s number 10, Lautaro Martinez, poses a formidable attacking threat, holding a commanding 8-goal lead over the Serie A’s second-highest scorer, Olivier Giroud. An impressive 18 goals have come from the prolific boots of Martinez in the Serie A. Additionally, he showcased his playmaking abilities against Lazio in the Serie A as he opened the scoring for Inter Milan in a 2-0 win against them.
Luis Alberto (Lazio)
The experienced central midfielder has been a consistent presence in the Italian top-tier league, participating in 17 games this season. During this period, Alberto has showcased his versatility, contributing 3 goals and providing 2 assists. His playing style, characterized by technical prowess, vision, and goal-scoring ability, adds a dynamic dimension to Lazio’s midfield.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
35-year-old Italian international Acerbi got a rest in Inter’s Serie A win against Monza over the weekend.
The former Lazio and Sassuolo defender has tended to be first-choice at the centre of the back three since his arrival in the summer of 2022.
But Acerbi had not quite been looking his usual self in matches against Genoa and Hellas Verona.
Dutchman Stefan de Vrij started against Monza. And the 31-year-old filled in ably against the Brianzoli, helping to set up Inter’s second goal and putting in a strong defensive shift.
But according to the Corriere, Acerbi will regain his place on Friday.
Francesco Acerbi Back In Inter Starting XI Vs Lazio
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has largely made his choices regarding the lineup for Friday’s match.
The coach will put his faith in Acerbi to marshal the defense.
And Alessandro Bastoni and Alessandro Bastoni will start on either side of the Italian veteran.
Meanwhile, in midfield it will be the usual trio. Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Hakan Calhanoglu will line up from the start.
On the left flank, Federico Dimarco will start.
And on the right, Inzaghi has yet to make a final decision. Either of Italian international Matteo Darmian or Dutch international Denzel Dumfries could start.
That will be the only real decision that Inzaghi has to make, however.
In attack, the coach plans to go with the usual starting strike partnership of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.
There will be no thinking about rotation or resting important players against the Biancocelesti.
For the first time ever, the Supercoppa Italiana consists of four teams. Historically, the Italian Super Cup has been a one-off match between two clubs, the winners of Serie A and the Coppa Italia. But this year, they are mirroring the Spanish Super Cup system. Four teams will take part in a mini-tournament, with two semi-finals and a final.
Inter Milan are here as Coppa Italia holders, beating Fiorentina 2-1 in last season’s final. The Nerazzurri will not be able to retain their crown, knocked out in the last 16, but they are in a good position to return to the Italian Super Cup next year. At the halfway stage of the Serie A season, Inter Milan are five points clear at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Juventus. They have won 16 of their 20 league matches so far, only falling in defeat to Sassuolo in September.