Inter Milan have ground to make up for in the Scudetto title race as they prepare to visit Cagliari.

Inter Milan travel to the Unipol Domus on Saturday evening in search of momentum, but in a curious twist of early-season fate, they find themselves trailing Cagliari in the Serie A standings. Cristian Chivu’s men edged past Sassuolo last weekend, yet their inconsistency has already raised questions, while Fabio Pisacane’s rejuvenated Cagliari side arrive in high spirits after a remarkable run of victories.

The Nerazzurri’s campaign has been a mixed bag so far. Their opening-day 5-0 demolition of Torino hinted at another title charge, but that optimism was quickly dented by a shock defeat to Udinese and a bruising 4-3 collapse in the Derby d’Italia against Juventus. Chivu’s side steadied themselves with a hard-fought win over Sassuolo, but even that triumph was nervy. Federico Dimarco’s opener and a late own goal put them on course, only for Sassuolo to threaten a comeback in the dying minutes.

Encouragingly, Inter started their Champions League journey with three points against Ajax, proving their pedigree on the continental stage remains intact. Yet their domestic struggles on the road cannot be ignored. Inter have managed just three wins in their last 10 Serie A away fixtures, a record that needs immediate correction if they are to keep pace with high-flying Napoli at the summit.

History does favour the visitors, who have won each of their last five away matches against Cagliari, but Chivu knows his side can ill afford another slip with tougher fixtures looming.

While Inter wrestle with inconsistency, Cagliari have burst into form. Pisacane’s arrival has injected life into the Rossoblu, and three consecutive wins across competitions underline the transformation. After claiming vital league victories over fellow strugglers Parma and Lecce, Cagliari dismantled Frosinone 4-1 in midweek to book a Coppa Italia last-16 showdown with Napoli.

Goals, once a major concern for the Sardinian outfit, are now arriving from all corners. Andrea Belotti’s brace against Lecce showed his value as a marquee summer addition, and the cup win further highlighted their growing attacking depth with four different scorers. With seven points already, Cagliari can look down the standings at Inter, a rare sight in recent years.

The challenge now is to carry this momentum into Saturday’s clash. It has been more than four years since Cagliari celebrated three successive league victories, but Pisacane’s men have at least created the platform for belief.

This fixture pits Inter Milan’s need for consistency against Cagliari’s bid to sustain a surge. The Nerazzurri are still favourites on paper thanks to superior quality and a dominant head-to-head record, yet their patchy away form and Cagliari’s resurgent spirit promise a more competitive contest than recent history suggests. 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 Calcio

Fabio Pisacane’s Cagliari will be without the services of Zito Luvumbo, who remains sidelined through injury, while right-back Gabriele Zappa picked up a knock during the Coppa Italia victory over Frosinone and is also considered a major doubt for Saturday’s contest. These absences force Pisacane to adjust his defensive options while ensuring his attack continues to build on the momentum of recent weeks.

Leading the line will be Andrea Belotti, fresh from his match-winning brace in Serie A last weekend. The experienced striker is expected to partner with Sebastiano Esposito, currently on loan from Inter Milan, who offers energy and link-up play to complement Belotti’s penalty-box presence. Regular starters, including Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina and first-choice goalkeeper Elia Caprile, are set to return after being rested in midweek, adding solidity at the back.

Pisacane is likely to set his team up in a 4-3-1-2 formation. In goal, Elia Caprile will marshal the defensive unit, with Marco Palestra occupying the right-back role and Adam Obert starting on the left. Yerry Mina and Sebastiano Luperto are expected to form the central defensive pairing. In midfield, Michel Adopo, Matteo Prati, and Alessandro Deiola will provide balance, combining work rate and distribution.

Michael Folorunsho should operate as the advanced playmaker in the number 10 role, linking midfield with attack. Up front for Cagliari, Sebastiano Esposito is set to start alongside Andrea Belotti, creating a strike partnership capable of troubling Inter Milan’s defence.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Caprile; Palestra, Mina, Luperto, Obert; Adopo, Prati, Deiola; Folorunsho; Esposito, Belotti

Inter Milan

Inter Milan head into the weekend with a largely clean bill of health. The only concern is back-up forward Ange-Yoan Bonny, who remains doubtful due to an ankle problem. Apart from his absence, Cristian Chivu should have his full squad available for selection, offering plenty of options as the Nerazzurri look to maintain their momentum.

Captain Lautaro Martinez has shaken off a minor back issue and is expected to reclaim his place in the starting lineup. The Argentine striker has an outstanding record against Cagliari, netting 11 goals in as many Serie A meetings, and his return adds firepower to the front line. Marcus Thuram, who has already impressed with his early-season form, is set to partner Martinez in attack, while rising star Francesco Pio Esposito will likely return to the bench after featuring in recent matches.

Chivu is expected to maintain his preferred 3-5-2 system. In goal, Yann Sommer will provide security behind the defensive trio of Manuel Akanji, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni. On the flanks, Denzel Dumfries should start at right wing-back, with Federico Dimarco operating on the left to offer width and attacking thrust.

The midfield will feature Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Petar Sucic, forming a dynamic core capable of dictating tempo and creating chances. Up front, Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez will spearhead the Inter Milan attack against Cagliari, combining pace, strength, and finishing ability.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez

Key Stats

• Inter Milan are unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 Serie A meetings with Cagliari (W12 D2), scoring 39 goals during this run at an average of 2.6 per match. Cagliari’s only win in this period was back in March 2019.

• The Nerazzurri have won eight of their last nine away games against Cagliari in Serie A, including each of the last five. They have also kept a clean sheet in three consecutive visits to Sardinia.

• The Rossoblu have won back-to-back league games against Parma and Lecce. If they beat Inter, it would mark their first run of three consecutive Serie A wins since April 2021.

• For only the second time in the three-points-for-a-win era (since 1994/95), Cagliari have earned at least seven points from their first four league matches, previously doing so in 2011/12. They could remain unbeaten in four of their first five games for the fourth time in the last 32 seasons.

• Inter Milan have won just three of their last ten Serie A away games (W3 D3 L4). They have scored 13 goals and conceded 13 in that stretch, after previously achieving eight consecutive away wins in the league.

Player to Watch

Lautaro Martinez

Embed from Getty Images

Lautaro Martinez returns to the spotlight for Inter Milan this weekend, and all eyes will be on the Nerazzurri captain when they face Cagliari. The Argentine forward has already built a reputation as a relentless competitor and one of Serie A’s most clinical finishers, and his record against the Sardinian side only adds to the expectation. Martinez has scored 11 goals in 11 league appearances versus Cagliari, underlining his status as a constant tormentor of the Rossoblu.

Beyond his scoring ability, Martinez’s leadership has grown with the armband, setting the tone with his aggressive pressing, sharp movement, and intelligent link-up play with strike partner Marcus Thuram. His knack for finding space between defenders and punishing even the slightest lapse makes him Inter’s most dangerous weapon heading into this clash.

If Inter Milan are to overcome their patchy away form and keep pace with Napoli at the summit, Lautaro Martinez’s influence in the final third will be decisive.

Prediction

Cagliari Calcio 1-2 Inter Milan

Cagliari approach this contest with momentum, having strung together three consecutive wins across all competitions and scoring freely in the process. Fabio Pisacane’s side have shown defensive discipline as well as attacking variety, with Andrea Belotti rediscovering his finishing touch and Sebastiano Esposito offering youthful energy in support. Playing at home with confidence, the Rossoblu will believe they can spring a surprise.

However, Inter Milan’s pedigree in this fixture is overwhelming. The Nerazzurri have dominated recent head-to-head meetings, winning 12 of the last 15, and they have kept clean sheets in each of their last three trips to Sardinia. Lautaro Martinez’s return, with his record of 11 goals against Cagliari, gives Cristian Chivu’s men a talisman who thrives in this matchup. Combined with Marcus Thuram’s form and their midfield control, Inter remain the stronger outfit on paper.

Still, Inter’s inconsistent away record, just three wins from their last ten Serie A matches on the road, leaves the door slightly ajar for Cagliari. The Rossoblu’s recent surge cannot be ignored, though breaking Inter’s defensive organisation will be a stern test. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Cristian Chivu and his charges.