Inter Milan vs Monza predictions ahead of Saturday’s Italian Serie A clash at San Siro. Can the Nerazzurri begin the Scudetto chase with a win over Monza, who were one of the surprise packages of last season? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
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Match Live Saturday, 19th August at 7:45 pm In:
Inter Milan vs Monza Predictions
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A Battle of Past Scars and New Beginnings at San Siro
Key Stats
– Last season, Monza accrued more points than any other newly-promoted side in Europe’s top five leagues.
– Lautaro Martinez was Inter’s top goalscorer last season with a whopping 21 goals.
Inter Milan, two months removed from the bitter sting of their Champions League final loss, are ready to kick-start a fresh Serie A campaign. Last season’s tumultuous journey saw them both experience the highs of silverware and the lows of inconsistency. The Nerazzurri, despite falling 12 times in the Serie A, showed their prowess in knockout competitions, bagging the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. However, their European ambitions were crushed in Istanbul, as they narrowly missed out on the Champions League trophy.
The transfer window witnessed a significant reshuffling in Inter’s ranks. Key players, including Andre Onana, Marcelo Brozovic, Edin Dzeko, Romelu Lukaku, and the iconic club captain, Samir Handanovic, have waved San Siro goodbye. Yet, with the arrivals of Davide Frattesi, Marcus Thuram, Marko Arnautovic, and former Monza stalwart Carlos Augusto, Simone Inzaghi has a rejuvenated squad at his disposal.
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Pre-season saw Inter assert their dominance with victories over European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig. Their impeccable record in opening league fixtures, stretching over the last decade, further establishes them as favourites. However, one anomaly remains – their inability to overpower Monza since the latter’s promotion.
Monza’s Rise to Prominence
Monza, having shattered the Serie A glass ceiling last season, left an indelible mark. Guided by the then-rookie coach, Raffaele Palladino, they finished a commendable 11th. Their achievement becomes even more noteworthy considering they garnered more points than any other promoted side across Europe’s top five leagues.
Their resilience was evident, especially on the road. Only Napoli and Lazio fared better away from home. Their most significant scalp? A victory against Inter Milan, with former Inter star Luca Caldirola playing the hero at San Siro.
Although their pre-season showed promise, Monza faltered at the first hurdle this campaign, crashing out of the Coppa Italia after a disheartening loss to Serie B side Reggiana.
Key Players to Watch
Inter’s summer signings are eager to showcase their talents. Swiss goalie Yann Sommer is set for his Serie A debut. Frattesi, who ranked second in shots on target last season, will compete for a spot in Inzaghi’s midfield. In the attack, the synergy between new captain Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, involved in 19 Bundesliga goals last term, will be crucial.
For Monza, Dany Mota’s role upfront is pivotal, but the likes of Mirko Maric and Andrea Petagna might also get their chance to shine. Interestingly, the transfer carousel between these clubs means ex-Inter wing-back Carlos Augusto and Roberto Gagliardini will be up against their former teammates.
Predictions
1. Match Result: Inter Milan to Win
There’s no denying the sheer prowess and dominance of Inter Milan when compared to Monza, especially when considering their recent historical records. One of the most compelling indicators of this is Inter’s proven track record of winning their inaugural league fixture for four consecutive years. On top of this, they have kept their fortress, San Siro, impregnable in their opening home matches for a decade. Such consistency is no small feat in a league as competitive as Serie A.
Monza, although impressive in bursts last season, remains an underdog when faced with a giant like Inter. Their inability to secure victory in their opening league matches in the last three seasons further underscores this point. Furthermore, Monza’s recent shock exit from the Coppa Italia at the hands of a Serie B side, Reggiana, exposes certain vulnerabilities which a team of Inter’s calibre will be keen to exploit.
When weighing up the strengths and weaknesses of both sides and considering the statistics and recent form, an Inter Milan victory emerges as the most probable outcome. However, given the unpredictable nature of football, nothing is set in stone, but the data points clearly lean in favour of the home side.
2. Correct Score: 2-1 in favour of Inter Milan
Diving deeper into the numbers, we can make a prediction for the correct score of the match. Inter’s offensive statistics from the 2022-23 season demonstrate their potent attack, with an average of 1.9 goals per game. However, they have conceded 42 goals in 38 matches, which equates to just above 1 goal per game.
On the other side, Monza, despite their impressive first season in Serie A, averaged 1.3 goals per match but conceded a slightly higher 52 goals over the course of the season. Considering Inter’s slightly vulnerable defence and Monza’s capacity to find the net, it’s reasonable to predict that Monza might snatch a goal.
Taking into account Inter’s attacking prowess and Monza’s defensive stats, a 2-1 victory for Inter Milan seems a likely scenario. This scoreline respects both Inter’s strength and acknowledges Monza’s potential to cause occasional upsets.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Lautaro Martinez
Identifying a probable goalscorer requires a look into the individual performances of players in recent times. Lautaro Martinez, Inter’s fiery forward, stands out in this regard. In the 2022-23 Serie A season, he netted an impressive 21 goals, making him Inter’s top scorer. This record, combined with the departure of key forwards such as Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko, means Martinez will be the focal point of Inter’s attack.
Given Martinez’s natural goal-scoring instinct and his history of consistently finding the back of the net, he emerges as the prime candidate to score during this encounter. It wouldn’t be surprising if he is the one to break the deadlock or provide the crucial goal to seal the match for Inter Milan.
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