Monza vs Inter Milan Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Italian Serie A
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The defending champions Internazionale began with a frustrating draw at Genoa but have been strong ever since then as they now travel to visit AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta and his Monza side.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 15th September, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – TNT Sports or OneFootball / US – Paramount+
MONZA PREVIEW: DULL, DULL MONZA
Following the departure of Raffaele Palladino to Fiorentina over the summer, just as Monza wanted to kick on and challenge for UEFA competition qualification this season, the Berlusconi-family-influenced ambitious project to appoint a son of AC Milan with former Italy defender Alessandro Nesta, last seen doing an average job at Reggiana.
It is quite clear what Nesta and Monza’s style of football is intended to be after a goalless draw and a penalty shootout win against Serie B side Sudtirol in the Coppa Italia before another 0-0 draw against Empoli. That was followed by a 1-0 defeat at home to Genoa before a more entertaining 2-2 draw against a fatigued Fiorentina before the break.
INTER MILAN PREVIEW: REDISCOVERING THEIR FORM
Internazionale won their 20th Scudetto and earned the second star upon their badge last season in emphatic and impressive style under the management of former Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi. The Nerazzurri must now kick on, do it again and ensure they go deeper into the UEFA Champions League this season, too.
A frustrating start to the campaign saw them share a 2-2 draw with Genoa, conceding a second-half stoppage-time equaliser. They returned to San Siro after that, though, and enjoyed two comfortable victories. Firstly defeating Lecce by two goals to nil before a classic Inzaghi-Inter performance as they hammered Atalanta 4-0.
MONZA TEAM NEWS: DANY MOTA DOUBT
There are few attacking players in Nesta’s preferred eleven it seems and there are fewer attacking intentions so the potential absence of Dany Mota is a blow.
As well as Dany Mota, they could also still be without Samuele Birindelli whilst the experience of both Alessio Cragno and Patrick Ciurria will still not be able to be counted on.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo, Pablo Mari, Carboni; Pedro Pereira, Pessina, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Maldini, Caprari; Djuric
UNAVAILABLE: Cragno (Injured), Ciurria (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Birindelli (Injured), Dano Mota (Injured)
INTER MILAN TEAM NEWS: BUCHANAN NEARLY BACK
During the summer, Canada international Tajon Buchanan suffered a fracture in his leg at the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America but he is nearing a return for the champions.
Aside from Buchanan, Simone Inzaghi has a fully fit and available squad for this weekend which does mean the return from injury of key centre-back Stefan de Vrij.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Buchanan (Injured)
MONZA VS INTER MILAN PREDICTION
Without labouring the point which this preview definitely has already, Monza are unlikely to be enjoyable to watch this season, despite their four-goal game against Fiorentina the other week. The strength of Inzaghi’s Inter is that they have the ability to blow teams away but also the strength of character and general ability to be able to grind out results so even a low-scoring away win would be a good bet.
MONZA VS INTER MILAN TIP: INTER TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
