As Inter Milan prepare to face Udinese in the Coppa Italia round of 16, the anticipation builds for this thrilling encounter at the iconic San Siro stadium. Set to kick off on Thursday evening, this match not only represents a chance for Inter to advance in the cup but also serves as a critical moment in their ongoing pursuit of silverware this season.
Inter Milan enter this match on a high after a commanding 6-0 victory against Lazio, a performance that showcased their attacking prowess and solidified their status as serious contenders in Serie A. This victory was particularly significant as it came against one of their closest rivals for the Scudetto, demonstrating that they are not only capable of dominating matches but are also determined to defend their title. With this win, Inter sits third in the Serie A standings, just three points behind leaders Atalanta, and they have one game in hand, further enhancing their title ambitions.
The Nerazzurri have matched their club record for the most away wins in a calendar year and boast an impressive tally of 47 away goals throughout 2024. Despite a recent setback in the UEFA Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen, where they conceded their first goal of the campaign, Inter remains focused on achieving an unprecedented quadruple this season.
On the other hand, Udinese approach this match with less momentum. The Bianconeri have struggled to find consistency and currently sit mid-table after winning just one of their last seven matches. Their recent defeat to Napoli highlighted their challenges, as they aim to avoid another relegation battle after narrowly escaping last season.
Team News
Inter Milan’s head coach Simone Inzaghi is likely to rotate his squad due to the congested fixture schedule. Key forwards Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez may be rested, allowing Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautovic to step into starting roles. In defense, injuries to Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbi limit Inzaghi’s options, but he can still rely on a strong back three featuring Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni.
Udinese’s manager Kosta Runjaic faces his own challenges with injuries affecting his squad. Notably, midfielder Sandi Lovric is sidelined, joining several other key players on the injury list. Despite having a less demanding schedule than Inter, Runjaic may still opt for some changes in his lineup as they seek to improve upon their recent performances.
Expected Starting XIs
Inter Milan: Martinez; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Buchanan, Frattesi, Asllani, Zielinski, Augusto; Correa, Arnautovic
Udinese: Sava; Abankwah, Kabasele, Toure; Modesto, Karlstrom, Atta, Ekkelenkamp, Kamara; Bravo, Lucca
Match Prediction
Given Inter’s formidable home record and depth in squad quality, they are heavily favored to win this encounter. The combination of their recent form and Udinese’s struggles suggests that Inter will likely dominate proceedings. A predicted scoreline of 3-1 reflects expectations that Inter will capitalize on any defensive lapses from Udinese while showcasing their attacking talents.
Prediction: Inter 3-1 Udinese
