Serie A | Gameweek 31

Apr 5, 2025 at 5pm UK

Stadio Ennio Tardini

Parma vs Inter Milan

Match preview

Still in search of three pieces of silverware this season, Inter kept themselves in contention for a place in the Coppa Italia final last time out by holding AC Milan to a 1-1 draw in the semi-final first leg at the San Siro.

Their city rivals took the lead through Tammy Abraham's clinical finish on Wednesday night, only to see it cancelled out by a classic Hakan Calhanoglu strike from outside the area.

The Turkish midfielder was delighted to score against his old club, as Inter deservedly drew level after being denied on several occasions by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan - although their fans will be frustrated to have gone four games without a win against the Rossoneri this season.

While the return leg will take place towards the end of April, Simone Inzaghi's men face Parma, Cagliari and Bologna in Serie A, as well as Bayern Munich twice in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Italian champions tightened their grip on top spot last weekend, returning from the international break with a 2-1 home win over Udinese, as Inzaghi rotated his squad in preparation for such a hectic schedule.

Three points clear of sole challengers Napoli with eight rounds to go, the Nerazzurri control their own destiny and can turn the screw by extending their lead ahead of a visit from Antonio Conte's side to in-form Bologna.

However, Inter have won just one of their last five away games in Serie A, having taken maximum points from their previous eight outings and kept seven clean sheets. As such, they will be keen to avoid another slip-up at the Stadio Tardini.

There have been seven wins and four draws in the 18 league meetings between these sides in Parma so far this century, but Inter have won each of their last three visits.

In fact, the last time Saturday's hosts beat the Nerazzurri anywhere was back in September 2018, when current Inter star Federico Dimarco scored the first Serie A goal of his career while still in a Gialloblu shirt.

Another crossover between the clubs will take place this weekend when former Inter defender and academy coach Cristian Chivu takes his new side to the Tardini.

After draws with relegation rivals Monza and Hellas Verona on either side of the international break, Parma have avoided defeat in four of their five matches under Chivu - the same run of form as in the final 13 games of Fabio Pecchia's reign.

As a result, they sit three points above the relegation zone and have a good chance of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier, from which they emerged as champions last season.

Recent Performance

Parma Serie A form:LWLDDD

Inter Milan Serie A form:LWDWWW

Inter Milan form (all competitions):WWWWWD

Team News

Between the fourth Derby della Madonnina of the season and a huge Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, Inter are bound to make changes - at least one of which will be forced by Nicolo Barella's suspension.

Elsewhere, first-choice goalkeeper Yann Sommer and flying full-back Federico Dimarco are likely to return to the starting XI.

While Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zielinski remain sidelined and Mehdi Taremi continues to struggle with a groin problem, captain Lautaro Martinez could return from a hamstring injury sustained on international duty.

Meanwhile, Parma welcome back Brazilian midfielder Hernani from a one-match ban, but still have a number of absentees to contend with.

Adrian Benedyczak, Alessandro Circati, Gabriel Charpentier, Yordan Osorio and Valentin Mihaila are all sidelined, while Matteo Cancellieri is set to miss a third consecutive match.

Ange-Yoan Bonny, who will start up front with Milan Djuric not yet fully fit, has scored six league goals this term, including a superb solo strike in Monza last month. To date, Paul Pogba is the only Frenchman to have scored seven times in a Serie A season before the age of 22, but Bonny is on course to repeat the feat.

Possible starting lineup

Parma possible starting lineup:

Suzuki; Del Prato, Vogliacco, Valenti, Valeri; Hernani, Bernabe, Sohm; Man, Bonny, Almqvist

Inter Milan possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez