Frosinone host Inter in Serie A on Saturday afternoon with time beginning to run out on their debut season in the top flight.
Roberto Stellone’s side have spent twenty games in the relegation zone and despite a marked improvement since the turn of the year, the Gialloazzurri cannot get their heads above water.
The Nerazzurri, meanwhile, have been plagued with inconsistency since the start of 2016, managing five victories, five losses and four draws during this spell, accumulating just six points more than their relegation-threatened hosts.
Both sides come into this match after crushing defeats. The Canarini were thumped 4-0 at Genoa last week, while Inter let a 1-0 lead slip as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Torino. The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was the setting for the only previous meeting between these two. Happier times for Roberto Mancini’s men saw the Nerazzurri emerge with a 4-0 victory take them to the top of Serie A back in November.
Federico Dionisi’s absence through suspension will be keenly felt. As joint-top scorer on eight goals, he will be difficult to replace. Aleksandar Tonev will attempt to do so, though the former Aston Villa man has yet to break his Serie A duck. He will be joined on the sidelines by Daniele Soddimo and Luca Paganini, though both players have been out of action for some time now.
The continuing effects of Inter’s defeat to the Granata will be felt this weekend, as both Miranda and Yuto Nagatomo will sit out the game through suspension. Jeison Murillo and Alex Telles look set to replace the pair. Meanwhile, Danilo D’Ambrosio remains injured.
Eder is closing in on 50 Serie A goals as he currently stands just two shy of that figure, although he is likely to start the match on the substitutes’ bench. The hosts have the worst defence in the league and should offer the Italy international opportunities to reach that mark if he is introduced at any stage.
Form Guide: Frosinone (L-W-L-D-L) Inter (L-W-W-D-L)
Expected Starting XIs:
Frosinone: Leali; M. Ciofani, Ajeti, Blanchard, Pavlovic; Gucher, Gori, Sammarco, Kragl; D. Ciofani, Tonev
Inter: Handanovic; Santon, Murillo, Juan Jesus, Telles; Brozovic, Medel; Ljajic, Palacio, Perisic; Icardi
Infographic Source: www.sporticos.com
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com