Overview
After a successful debut season when helping Inter Milan win a domestic double, coach Cristian Chivu enters the new season with greater pressure and expectations.
Inter Milan has just added their 10th Coppa Italia to their collection with 21 Serie A titles, thereby being considered a bright candidate for the goal of defending both titles.
Inter had an impressive start when defeating Monza 4-1 at home. Hakan Calhanoglu opened the score with a beautiful long-range shot, but Monza quickly equalized. In the second half, Yann Bisseck, Piotr Zielinski and Pio Esposito respectively scored, helping the Chivu team win convincingly.
After a favorable opening match, Inter will have their first away match of the 2026-2027 season. Last season, Nerazzurri won 13 away matches, although they have not been able to win their opening away match in the last two seasons.
However, the head-to-head record with Cagliari gives Inter a lot of basis for confidence. The Milan team has won 28 points out of a maximum of 30 points in the last 10 encounters with Cagliari, and also scored an average of 2.6 goals per match in this streak.
Cagliari is also facing many difficulties when facing Inter at home. Rossoblu have lost to Inter in the last 6 times hosting opponents in Sardinia, including not scoring in all 3 recent matches.
However, Cagliari entered the match with a positive mentality after a 1-0 victory over Parma in the opening round. This is the first time since 2013 that they have won all 3 points in the opening match of the season. Before Alessandro Romano scored a beautiful goal on his club debut, Cagliari had 3 times sent the ball to Parma's goal.
Last season was also Fabio Pisacane's first campaign leading Cagliari. He helped the team finish in 14th place, Cagliari's best performance in Serie A in the past 9 years. That result helped Pisacane extend his contract until 2028 and continue to have the opportunity to lead the team in the highest playground in Italy.
Cagliari's recent form is also very noteworthy. Since the end of last season, Pisacane's team has won 4 consecutive matches in all competitions.
Personnel situation
Inter Milan will have more important additions when Henrikh Mkhitaryan returns after suspension. Marcus Thuram and new signing Curtis Jones have also completed all training sessions and are ready to compete for a playing spot.
Djed Spence has not yet reached his best physical condition, so Andy Diouf is likely to continue to take charge of the Nerazzurri's right flank.
On the Cagliari side, the home team is preparing to say goodbye to Sebastiano Esposito, who will move to Sassuolo. Paul Mendy and Daniel Maldini will likely take on roles in attack.
Alessandro Romano is expected to continue to partner Harry Winks in the center of midfield.
Expected lineup:
Cagliari: Caprile, Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez, Obert, Adopo, Winks, Romano, Maldini, Fazzini, Mendy.
Inter Milan: J. Martinez, Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni, Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco, Esposito, L. Martinez.
The match between Cagliari and Inter Milan takes place at 1:45 a.m. on August 31 (Vietnam time).
