Serie A title-bidders Inter take a daunting-looking trip to Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino to face out-of-sorts Torino on Saturday evening. Let’s look at our match preview for this contest.
These are tumultuous times for Torino fans. Ivan Juric’s side conceded two unanswered second-half goals in a morale-damaging 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Derby della Mole on the stroke of October’s international break. That underwhelming result made it three consecutive scoring blanks in Serie A for Granata for the first time since November 2014.
Stranded in bottom-half lethargy after their last four league games fluctuated between draws and defeats (D2, L2), Torino cannot afford another slip-up. However, visiting Inter have been a thorn in Juric’s side down the years, with the Croatian coach only winning once in his 12 managerial encounters against Nerazzurri (W1, D2, L9).
Another successful weekend is on the cards for Inter. Simone Inzaghi’s men are in dire need of victory here after dropping points against Bologna before the break. Despite taking a two-goal lead within the first 15 minutes, Nerazzurri had to settle for a dismal 2-2 home draw, falling two points behind pacesetters Milan.
But the upcoming trip to Turin will stir fond memories. Inter emerged 1-0 victors on their most recent league visit to Torino. That victory initiated their outstanding four-game winning streak on the road without conceding. Another identical success would see them equal a feat they last achieved in 1966, so motivation won’t be in short supply.
Match Preview
Torino
A lack of firepower has been Torino’s Achilles heel at the start of the new campaign. Of all the sides beginning this round outside the relegation zone, only two have scored fewer goals than Granata (6). Inter’s visit casts further doubt on Juric’s bid to address his team’s scoring woes.
His teams have failed to score in seven of their 12 matches against Inter. Therefore, he’ll need to change something in his playbook to turn the corner, but the prospects look bleak. Torino have netted a meager average of 0.5 goals per game across four Serie A outings this season.
Uneventful first-half showings have seen them fail to score before halftime in all four home league games. In fact, both their goals at the Olimpico Grande Torino have come beyond the 85th minute.
Player to Watch: Duvan Zapata
The Colombian has scored one of Torino’s two home league goals this season. But he has only found the net once in 12 appearances against Inter in Serie A.
Inter
Both times Inter have lost points this season came at Giuseppe Meazza. Inzaghi’s men have excelled on hostile turf, winning all three matches ‘to nil’ despite failing to get on the scoresheet before halftime. Only once in their history have Nerazzurri won five consecutive away league games without conceding.
That should be an ideal incentive for Inter to maintain their four-match unbeaten streak away to Torino (W3, D1). They shut Granata out twice across those three wins, which perfectly fits the equation. Another clean sheet may be imperative, given they’ve netted precisely once on their last two visits to Turin.
Inter should take care of their second-half leaks, though. Four of their five Serie A goals conceded this term have come after the interval.
Player to Watch: Lautaro Martinez
As the division’s top-scorer with ten goals, the Argentine forward is among the most in-form players in Europe’s top-five leagues. On top of that, he has scored five of Inter’s seven league goals on the road.
Team News
Brandon Soppy, Kofi Djidji, and Alessandro Buongiorno are on the sidelines for Torino. Other than the three of them, Juric will have the remainder of his squad fit and ready.
As for Inter, Marko Arnautovic and Juan Cuadrado are the only definite absentees. Stefano Sensi is back to the fold after a long-term spell on the sidelines.
Torino vs Inter Potential Lineups
Torino (3-4-2-1): Vanja Milinkovic-Savic; Perr Schuurs, Tameze, Adrien Ricardo Rodriguez; Raoul Bellanova, Ivan Ilic, Samuele Ricci, Valentino Lazaro; Nikola Vlasic, Yann Karamoh; Duvan Zapata.
Inter (3-5-2): Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram.
Torino vs Inter Prediction
Inter’s free-scoring frontline should have no problems penetrating Torino’s rock-solid backline. Given the home side’s well-documented profligacy, one goal could decide this contest. We expect the visitors to find it.
Prediction: Inter Win
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