Engage the fifth gear to continue the race. After beating Genoa, Sassuolo, Lazio and Udinese, Pioli's Inter are looking for another victory that would allow them, albeit for one night, to move just 2 points off third place. Objective that, regardless of how the weekend will end (it seems unlikely that Napoli can make a mistake against Pescara), would give a big boost to the whole environment, increasingly refreshed by the care of the new coach. Between saying and doing, however, Maran's Chievo is involved, an opponent who, on paper, shouldn't cause major problems but still not to be underestimated: after all, the first leg (2-0 for the Venetians on of De Boer's debut) is still etched in the memory of the Nerazzurri people. “Anyone who thinks it will be an easy match will be surprised – commented Pioli. – Chievo don't miss many games, they come from a defeat but they are experienced, solid and before last Sunday they had the third best defense in the championship. We will have to be clear-headed and move well on the pitch, playing clean and precise football." Yes, because Inter really can't afford to give away points to anyone. The Champions League dream is not impossible to achieve, but it is certain that given the gap in the first few months, it is now necessary to continue running.
For some time now, the Nerazzurri seem to have found the right balance, the calendar could also help: after Chievo, in fact, there will be Palermo and Pescara, decidedly affordable opponents and ideal for climbing the table. “The team is improving but there are still margins – continued Pioli. – Last year Roma finished third with 80 points, so we'll have to score a lot to aim for the Champions League. The streak made so far is interesting but needs to be improved, even if I am convinced that there are the qualities to win many games. Our future doesn't just depend on us, the match against Chievo does."
So let's go with today's match, which Inter will be able to face with an extra Gagliardini. The midfielder, who arrived this week from Atalanta, has been called up and, thanks to Brozovic's suspension, should start from the first minute. “He's already ready, he's doing well both physically and psychologically – praise Pioli. – His best quality is his sense of position, if a midfielder knows how to feel good on the pitch he can easily play with all the modules ”.
Tonight, as always in the last few games, it will be 4-2-3-1 with Handanovic in goal, D'Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo and Ansaldi in defence, Gagliardini and Kondogbia in midfield, Candreva, Joao Mario and Perisic in the backs of the lone Icardi striker. Chievo, fresh from the 1-4 internal draw with Atalanta but still calm in the standings, will respond with a 4-3-1-2 that will see Sorrentino between the posts, Frey, Gamberini, Dainelli and Gobbi in the back department, Castro, Radovanovic and De Guzman in the midfield, Birsa behind the attacking couple Pellissier-Meggiorini.
