01 December 2021, 11:58 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The mid-week Serie A TIM fixture, Inter Milan vs. Spezia Calcio, kicks off at 18:30 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, December 1, at the San Siro Stadium.
Preview Inter Serie A, Dec 1, 2021
Preview Inter Milan picked up a 2-0 win over Venezia at the weekend. A fabulous long-range strike from Hakan Calhanoglu (34') separated both sides four minutes after the half-hour mark. On one occasion, Mattia Aramu tried to emulate Calhanoglu's strike, but Samir Handanovic was equal to the task. Aramu tried to repeat the trick a moment later but failed to find the mark. A wave of attacks from Inter Milan ensured the number 10 shirt, in the shape of Aramu, remained quiet for a major portion of the game. Following the intensity and the forward momentum, Inter were eventually rewarded with a penalty. Lautaro Martinez (90'+6 P.) stepped up and converted from the spot at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium to leave Inter unbeaten in five Serie A games: WWDWW. The win saw 3rd-placed Inter Milan close in on 2nd-placed AC Milan, as the sisters are now divided by only a point. Inter has 31 points after 9W, 4D, & 1L. A 3—5—2 formation with Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa in attack is expected from Simone Inzaghi for this game against Spezia. Hakan Calhanoglu could keep his place in the starting line-up and maintain Inter’s potency from outside the area. Only Lionel Messi (61) has scored more goals from outside the box than Hakan Çalhanoglu (26, alongside Christian Eriksen and Dries Mertens) in the Big-Five European leagues since the 2013/14 season. On availability, Matteo Darmian and Andrea Ranocchia have picked up muscle injuries and are doubtful for this fixture.
Preview Spezia Serie A, Dec 1, 2021
Preview Spezia picked up a 1-0 defeat to Bologna over the weekend. They were on the back-foot from the get-go, holding their breaths when Arnautovic struck the woodwork in the opening minutes before Musa Barrow did likewise a moment later. Minutes later, Barrow struck the woodwork for the second time in the game, and the third for Bologna. Spezia held on to the stalemate, hoping to pick up a point until they conceded a penalty. Arnautovic (83' P.) stepped up at the Stadio Alberto Picco and converted from the spot to condemn Spezia to back-to-back defeats: DLWLL. It’s not the first time that we don’t win a balanced game. Thiago Motta told DAZN in his post-match interview. We need to improve defensively and read the game better without letting our opponents come forward with the ball. Motta added. Spezia are in 17th place with 11 points after 3W, 2D, and 9L. A 4—3—3 formation with M'Bala Nzola at the focal point of attack is anticipated for this game against Inter Milan on Wednesday.