Inter vs.Cagliari, match preview

MILAN - After their Coppa Italia win against the same side in the round of 16, the Nerazzurri now host Maran’s Cagliari once again at San Siro for their next match on Sunday 26 January: matchday 21 in Serie A TIM.

SOME STATISTICS FOR INTER VS. CAGLIARI

Head-to-head

Inter and Cagliari are the two teams to have scored the most headers in Serie A this season (eight each), with both teams scoring headed goals in their last league outing. Inter (14) and Cagliari (12, level with four other teams) are also the two teams with the most different goalscorers this season.

A game of first halves

Inter have scored the most first-half goals out of any team in Serie A (15) - while Cagliari have only scored four in the first half, the lowest figure for any side. Inter (seven goals conceded) and Cagliari (eight, level with Juventus and AC Milan) are the two teams to have conceded the fewest goals in first halves so far this league campaign.

Lunchtime kick-off on a Sunday

Inter won their last 12:30 kick-off against Cagliari in Serie A back in October 2010; the match ending 1-0 at the Sant’Elia thanks to Samuel Eto'o’s goal with Rafael Benítez as coach. Cagliari have won both of their last two league games played at 12:30, both taking place this season.

(Click here to find out more facts about Inter vs. Cagliari)

WHAT ANTONIO CONTE HAD TO SAY

“We’ll be coming up against an excellent side, as shown by Cagliari’s league position, the great season they’re enjoying and their squad. On top of that, they’ve got a well-prepared coach. The challenge we’ve got is we’ll be facing a strong side. Our idea is to attack even when we’ve scored the first goal, to try to bag a second or a third. This is what we want to do because you always need to try to achieve the maximum and not just try to defend after you’ve scored. We need to keep going at full throttle and give 100%.”

(Look back on Antonio Conte’s pre-match press conference)

CURRENT FORM

Inter’s last five results

Lecce 1-1 Inter 

Inter 4-1 Cagliari 

Inter 1-1 Atalanta 

Napoli 1-3 Inter 

Inter 4-0 Genoa 

Cagliari’s last five results

Brescia 2-2 Cagliari 

Inter 4-1 Cagliari 

Cagliari 0-2 AC Milan 

Juventus 4-0 Cagliari 

Udinese 2-1 Cagliari 

SUSPENSIONS AND THOSE WALKING THE TIGHTROPE

Candreva (Inter) and Pisacane (Cagliari) will miss Inter vs. Cagliari through suspension. Those just one booking away from suspension are: Bastoni, D'Ambrosio (Inter); Ceppitelli, Cigarini (Cagliari).

MATCH OFFICIALS

Gianluca Manganiello from Pinerolo has been assigned as the referee for Inter vs. Cagliari. Manganiello will have Preti and Bresmes as his assistants, with Pezzuto as fourth official. Banti will be in charge of VAR while the VAR Assistant for the game will be Ranghetti.