Serie A Round 6 Preview: Inter Milan Must Beware of Former Players, Can AC Milan Rely on Jović?

The early hours of September 28th will see Serie A’s Round 6 continue with matches involving title contenders Inter Milan and AC Milan. Inter, currently leading the league, must be cautious of their former player Andrea Pinamonti, who now plays for Sassuolo. Meanwhile, AC Milan faces a challenging fixture congestion, pinning their hopes on Luka Jović to fill the shoes of their aging striker, Olivier Giroud.

Inter Milan vs. Sassuolo: Pinamonti's Revenge

After five rounds of the new Serie A season, Inter Milan remains the only team with a perfect record, boasting the highest goal tally in the league. Their emphatic 5-1 victory over city rivals AC Milan, who currently sit second, positions them as early favorites for the Scudetto. Despite this promising start, Inter's head coach Simone Inzaghi has been quick to downplay any premature title talk, focusing on reducing pressure on his players.

Inzaghi’s caution was evident in Inter’s approach to their Champions League fixture against Real Sociedad, where a cautious performance earned them a respectable draw away from home. Back in domestic action, Inter quickly reasserted their dominance, securing a win against Empoli thanks to Federico Dimarco's powerful strike. The match, however, saw fans leave somewhat disappointed as Marcus Thuram, who was heavily anticipated to continue his scoring run after the Milan derby, failed to find the net.

Sassuolo, on the other hand, have had a roller-coaster start to their season. After suffering two consecutive defeats, they bounced back impressively, handing Juventus a surprising 4-2 loss. This victory was particularly shocking given Juventus's solid defensive record and Sassuolo’s early struggles. Armand Laurienté's early goal set the tone for the match, with the final nail in Juventus's coffin coming in the form of an unfortunate own goal by Federico Gatti in stoppage time.

For Inter, the game against Sassuolo is fraught with potential pitfalls. Andrea Pinamonti, once a product of Inter’s youth academy, now leads the line for Sassuolo and has no qualms about proving his worth against his former club. Pinamonti is currently trailing Inter’s Lautaro Martínez by just one goal in the race for the top scorer, and a standout performance could see him claim the lead, much to the chagrin of his former employers.

Inter Milan has previously started a Serie A season with six consecutive wins only twice in their history. Inzaghi aims to equal the record held by former coaches Antonio Conte and Helenio Herrera. Sassuolo’s poor away record boosts Inter’s confidence, making a 3-1 victory for Inter a likely outcome.

Cagliari vs. AC Milan: Can Jović Step Up for Giroud?

Cagliari’s return to Serie A, after a brief stint in Serie B, is commendable. However, under veteran coach Claudio Ranieri, they have struggled to find their footing in the top flight. With their current points tally and performance mirroring the relegation season of 2021-2022, they find themselves in desperate need of a win to escape the relegation zone, alongside three other winless teams.

AC Milan, having lost the Milan derby, didn’t allow the defeat to derail their campaign. They managed a hard-fought draw against Newcastle United in the Champions League, followed by a rain-soaked 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona in the league. Milan’s defense, particularly backup goalkeeper Marco Sportiello, has shown resilience in the absence of first-choice keeper Mike Maignan, maintaining a clean sheet across both fixtures.

While Milan’s defense appears stable, their attacking line raises concerns. The congested fixture schedule has taken a toll on veteran striker Olivier Giroud. Although Giroud was substituted off for Luka Jović in the 65th minute against Verona, his fitness remains a question mark. Jović, who has struggled to find his form since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt, might see more playing time against Cagliari.

The last time Cagliari defeated AC Milan was in 2017. Since then, the two teams have faced off ten times, with Milan winning eight and drawing two. Given Cagliari’s current form and morale, Milan is expected to secure a narrow 1-0 victory on the road.

Tactical and Psychological Challenges

Inter Milan’s challenge lies in maintaining their perfect record while integrating new signings like Marcus Thuram and Arnautović effectively. Inzaghi must address the team’s over-reliance on certain players and ensure that the squad’s depth can withstand the rigors of both domestic and European competitions.

For AC Milan, the immediate concern is managing the workload of their key players amidst a packed schedule. Giroud’s fitness and Jović’s ability to step up will be crucial in ensuring Milan’s attacking prowess does not diminish. Stefano Pioli must find the right balance to keep his squad competitive on all fronts.

Both Milan clubs face crucial tests in this round of Serie A. Inter’s clash with Sassuolo and Milan’s trip to Cagliari will not only impact their standings but also provide insights into their long-term title ambitions. The outcomes of these matches could set the tone for the rest of their campaigns, highlighting areas of strength and exposing potential vulnerabilities. As the season progresses, the ability to adapt and overcome these challenges will be key to their success.