A fiery challenge. Sampdoria-Inter represents the key match of Sunday afternoon for a whole series of reasons. First of all, Icardi's return to Genoa, in a stadium that doesn't love him and against an opponent, that Maxi Lopez, ex-husband of his current partner Wanda Nara, who promises "revenge". Also for Mazzarri it will be a sort of amarcord, and also in this case the Ferraris does not promise a triumphal welcome, on the contrary…
But then, beyond all the notes of color, today's match is very important above all for Inter's standings. The latest results (only three points collected between Atalanta, Udinese, Livorno and Bologna) have called everything into question, starting with the Europa League area, which until a few weeks ago seemed armored. “For me the team is ready for the final sprint – explained Mazzarri in the press conference. – But this is a particular year, I see things that have never happened to me. With Livorno and Bologna, for example, we lost four points with three minutes to go, we rarely deserved not to win”. The refrain of bad luck continues, but this time the Nerazzurri coach also admitted that there was something else behind Inter's unsteady path.
“When you are reassembled too many times it means that there are deficiencies to work on – his thought. – But I remain confident, except that in 3 or 4 games we have always kept the pitch well. Evaluations must be done with balance and attention. I have never seen the team suffer, they have collected less due to bad luck and oversights". Yes, but now we need a change, at least in terms of results.
In fact, a terrible cycle begins for Inter today, who after Sampdoria will have to face Parma, Naples, Milan and Lazio. That's why winning at Marassi would be very important, to then play the final rush in the best possible way. It won't be easy, given that Mihajlovic didn't take the defeat in Rome well and wants an immediate redemption from him. Mazzarri seems oriented to relaunch Kovacic from the first minute, so far rather on the sidelines of the team. “He's very young, but he's grown a lot in both stages – thought the coach. – He's also capital for next year, he will be an important player in the new squad ”. And then, in the 3-5-2, there will be room for the Croatian, who will take the place of Alvarez. In defense, in front of Handanovic, there will be Ranocchia, Samuel and Rolando, in midfield D'Ambrosio (Jonathan is out with a muscle problem), Hernanes, Cambiasso, Kovacic and Nagatomo, in attack Palacio and Icardi.
Sampdoria will respond with a 4-2-3-1 with Da Costa in goal, De Silvestri, Mustafi, Gastaldello and Regini in defence, Palombo and Krsticic in midfield, Sansone, Soriano and Eder in the trocar, Maxi Lopez in attack.
