After beating fierce rivals AC Milan 3-0 in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, Inter Milan completed a ten-game unbeaten streak in midweek thus keeping themselves in the running for this season’s double. Nerazzurri trail their city nemesis by just two points in the Serie A fight for the title and that could change soon in any case, as Inter have a game in hand.The Scudetto holders face resurgent Roma at San Siro on Saturday, against whom they are unbeaten in ten competitive head-to-head meetings (W4, D6) and have not lost against them at home since 2017. Roma were also eliminated in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals by Saturday’s hosts and are now facing a potential third consecutive league loss to Inter for the first time since the turn of the century.The win over AC Milan keeps dreams of a domestic double alive for the reigning champions – who will meet old foes Juventus in the showpiece finale at Stadio Olimpico. Also, before grabbing the headlines with success in the Derby della Madonnina, Inter had brushed past mid-table Spezia last time out in the league.Inter defeats Milan in a derby that nobody wantedThe Nerazzurri still remain the most successful home side in the league (W11, D3, L2) despite a disappointing return of only two wins across Inter’s last five league home matches (D1, L2). But even so – that is where Roma see their opportunity.Roma maintain their two-point advantage above their city rivals and sixth-placed Lazio thanks to a recent 1-1 draw against title-contenders Napoli but a fourth straight finish outside the top-four still seems likely though. The looming distraction of UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals makes it hard to focus and prioritize.With their fifth successive victory, Inter would return to the summit but the Giallorossi have shown lately how badly they wish to avoid defeat, a characteristic which is slowly instilled by the Special One, Jose Mourinho.Allegri quarreled with journalists over Vlahović: “You make me laugh”Roma supremo has fond memories of a 2010 treble with Inter – Mourinho took charge of the Nerazzurri for 76 Serie A matches in a hugely successful spell between 2008 and 2010 – but there is no room for sentiment as he returns to his old fortress. Any attempt to win – or at least avoid a third defeat against his former club Inter this season – may rely on a good start, with just one of the last seven head-to-head matches seeing more goals scored in the second half.Inter have sold 70.000 tickets for the match against Roma. The Giuseppe Meazza Stadium has organised a tribute to honour José Mourinho and will display it tomorrow. [@Gazzetta_it] pic.twitter.com/4ZwAU59eGU— IM (@Iconic_Mourinho) April 22, 2022 The capital club have developed into Calcio’s most durable outfit and will now meet the champions on the back of the longest unbeaten run in the top flight – going without defeat for 12 games while winning seven times in the process.Roster news does not bring many surprises. Having finally found some goalscoring form, Lautaro Martinez will retain his place in the starting eleven – Martínez netted a brace in midweek and has four goal contributions across his last two matches, despite playing only 100 minutes in total. However, after being joined up front by compatriot Joaquin Correa for the Derby, the Argentina striker should now reprise his partnership with the former Roma forward, Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker, who scored the second in Inter’s 3-0 win in the reverse fixture – made 199 Serie A appearances for the visitors; scoring 85 times.As far as the defensive tasks go – with Alessandro Bastoni cleared to play after being forced off in midweek against Milan, only veteran midfielder Arturo Vidal is an injury concern for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi on Saturday.Across the pitch half line, Roma’s increasingly fruitful front line will be missing one of its key components this weekend, as Nicolo Zaniolo must serve a one-match suspension for accumulated bookings.Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini should operate behind top scorer Tammy Abraham, who leads the Giallorossi line while Henrikh Mkhitaryan could into the side to replace Zaniolo.War of the worlds! El Sharaawy salvages a late point to diminish Napoli’s title chancesFit-again Chris Smalling should be in the starting backline for the visitors and as far as the competition on Roma’s flank positions goes – it is fierce to say the least. Leonardo Spinazzola recently came back on the bench, Matias Vina is also available, young Nicola Zalewski has been a revelation of late, but Stephan El Shaarawy further muddied the waters by scoring against Napoli last time out. Also, Il Faraone carries much-needed experience – he has previously scored three goals against Inter in Serie A, each of those at Giuseppe Meazza.Abraham remains the greatest threat to the champions but Inter defense has danger looming from all directions – Roma are the Serie A side with the most different players to have scored at least twice this term (12). In that category, Gialorossi are closely followed by their today’s opponents (11).SERIE A – ROUND 34Saturday16:00: (6.75) Venezia (4.30) Atalanta (1.55)16:00: (1.68) Torino (3.80) Spezia (6.00)19:00: (1.75) Inter (3.70) Roma (5.40)21:45: (1.80) Verona (3.70) Sampdoria (5.00)Sunday13:30: (6.00) Salernitana (3.90) Fiorentina (1.65)16:00: (5.90) Empoli (4.00) Napoli (1.65)16:00: (3.10) Bologna (3.20) Udinese (2.55)19:00: (2.30) Genoa (3.20) Cagliari (3.60)21:45: (3.05) Lazio (3.35) Milan (2.50)Monday21:45: (4.50) Sassuolo (3.70) Juventus (1.87)***odds are subject to change***
