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Inter Milan will hope to keep up their good run of form when they take on Cagliari on Saturday night.

Inter Milan will look to close out an exceptional 2024 on a high note when they face Cagliari in their final Serie A game of the year on Saturday. While the Nerazzurri are in the thick of another competitive title race, their hosts, Cagliari, are grappling with relegation concerns, as they languish in the drop zone.

Inter’s incredible consistency has been the cornerstone of their success this calendar year. Alongside reclaiming the Scudetto, Simone Inzaghi’s side has been Italy’s dominant force, boasting 26 wins in 37 Serie A matches while scoring the most goals and conceding the fewest. Their recent league form has been equally impressive, with four straight victories without conceding, including a 6-0 demolition of Lazio and a hard-fought 2-0 triumph over Como.

Inter’s impressive record extends beyond domestic competition, as they have also shone in the Champions League. Despite a rare setback against Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month, the Nerazzurri remain strong contenders for multiple trophies heading into 2025. With a Supercoppa Italiana clash looming next week, they will aim to cap off a remarkable year with another three points in Sardinia.

Cagliari, on the other hand, are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Davide Nicola’s side has struggled to find any momentum, losing their last three league matches to Fiorentina, Atalanta, and Venezia. The defeat to relegation rivals Venezia was particularly damaging, as it left the Rossoblu in 18th place, battling to escape the drop zone.

Historically, Cagliari have fared poorly against Inter, losing 10 of their last 13 Serie A meetings, including seven of the last eight in Sardinia. Inter’s dominance has been so pronounced that they have won each of their last four visits to Cagliari. Adding to the hosts’ woes, their record in year-ending Serie A fixtures is dismal, with no wins in their last six, while Inter are unbeaten in their previous eight.

As the Sardinians look to halt their slide, the odds are stacked against them. Inter’s depth, quality, and clinical finishing make them heavy favourites to secure yet another victory. Expect Simone Inzaghi’s men to maintain their momentum and continue their pursuit of back-to-back titles. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Cagliari

Cagliari will head into their final match of 2024 without Zito Luvumbo, who has been sidelined due to a sprained ankle. While this is the only confirmed absentee for Davide Nicola’s side, the coach is expected to make some adjustments to his starting XI.

Nicolas Viola is in contention to replace Gianluca Gaetano as the primary playmaker behind lone striker Roberto Piccoli. Meanwhile, veteran forward Leonardo Pavoletti, who recently moved into fifth place on Cagliari’s all-time Serie A goals list, is likely to reprise his role as an impactful substitute from the bench.

In terms of formation, Cagliari are set to line up in a 3-5-2 setup. Alen Sherri will start between the posts, protected by a back three consisting of Gabriele Zappa on the right, Sebastiano Luperto in the centre, and José Luis Palomino on the left.

The midfield will feature Nadir Zortea and Razvan Marin occupying the wide positions, while Michel Adopo, Antoine Makoumbou, and Tommaso Augello form the central trio. Nicolas Viola will play as the advanced midfielder, supporting Roberto Piccoli, who leads the lineup front.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sherri; Zappa, Luperto, Palomino; Zortea, Adopo, Makoumbou, Marin, Augello; Viola; Piccoli

Inter Milan

Inter Milan head into their final Serie A match of the year with plans to field their strongest available XI before heading to Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa Italiana. However, Simone Inzaghi remains without Benjamin Pavard due to injury, and there are doubts over Francesco Acerbi’s readiness for the match.

Matteo Darmian, though, is expected to be available on the bench after missing last week’s victory over Como. Leading the line, captain Lautaro Martinez boasts an exceptional record against Cagliari, having scored nine goals in nine league appearances against the Sardinian side. Impressively, five of his last six Serie A goals have come in away fixtures.

In terms of formation, Inter are set to deploy a 3-5-2 system. Yann Sommer will start in goal, shielded by a back three comprising Yan Bisseck on the right, Stefan de Vrij centrally, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left. Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco will operate as wing-backs, providing width and support in both defence and attack.

Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will form a dynamic midfield trio, tasked with controlling the game and creating chances. Up front, Lautaro Martinez will partner with Marcus Thuram to lead Inter’s attack.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram

Key Stats

• Inter Milan have won 10 of their last 13 Serie A matches against Cagliari (D2 L1), scoring 33 goals in that period at an average of 2.5 goals per match. Cagliari’s last victory against Inter in Serie A dates back to March 2019, when they won 2-1 at the Unipol Domus.
• The last league meeting between Cagliari and Inter ended in a 2-2 draw on April 14 at the Meazza Stadium. The last time these teams played out consecutive draws in Serie A was during the period between September 2013 and February 2014.
• Inter have won seven of their last eight away Serie A matches against Cagliari (L1), including each of their last four. However, Cagliari have managed to score in seven of these eight home encounters.
• Cagliari have lost their last three league matches (against Fiorentina, Atalanta, and Venezia). If they lose this match, it will mark their first streak of four consecutive Serie A defeats since the period between January and February 2024.
• Regarding the final league match of the calendar year, Cagliari have not won any of their last six such games between 2018 and 2023 (D2 L4). This contrasts with their prior success, where they won three consecutive year-end matches between 2015 and 2017.

Player to Watch

Marcus Thuram

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The French forward has been in fine form this season, combining his physical prowess, sharp movement, and clinical finishing to devastating effect.

Thuram’s ability to link up with Lautaro Martinez in the Nerazzurri’s attack has been one of the standout aspects of Inter’s play this year. Not only does he contribute with goals, but his intelligent runs and hold-up play also create space for his teammates, making him a nightmare for defenders to deal with.

Having scored the decisive goal in Inter’s last match against Como, Thuram is set to lead the line again against Cagliari. With seven Serie A goals to his name this season and several match-winning performances, his confidence is sky-high.

Thuram’s physicality and aerial ability will be crucial against a Cagliari defence that has struggled in recent weeks. If Inter are to secure another win to close out the year, expect Marcus Thuram to be at the heart of their attacking success.

Prediction

Cagliari 0-3 Inter Milan

Inter Milan’s firepower and defensive solidity should prove too much for Cagliari, who  are likely to struggle to contain Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and the rest of Inter’s attacking arsenal. The Hard Tackle predicts a run-of-the-mill 3-0 win for Simone Inzaghi and his charges.