Cremonese vs Inter

The Stadio Giovanni Zini sets the stage today, Sunday, February 1, 2026, for a clash between the clinical and the struggling. Inter Milan travels to Cremona looking to tighten their grip on the Scudetto, while Cremonese fights for a result that could spark a desperate survival bid. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT).

For Inter (1st, 52 points), the objective is clear: victory today would propel them eight points clear of city rivals AC Milan. For Cremonese (13th, 23 points), the new year has been unkind; Davide Nicola’s side has nosedived into a winless streak that has left them looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

Match Information

Inter Milan: The Chivu Machine

Since Cristian Chivu took the reins from Simone Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri have evolved into a defensive juggernaut with an explosive counter-punch. They arrive fresh from a significant 2–0 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, with Federico Dimarco scoring a trademark free-kick. Domestically, they have won nine of their last ten league games and boast the best away record in Italy.

Team News and Selection:

• Key Rotations: Lautaro Martínez and Alessandro Bastoni are expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested midweek in Germany.

• The Injury List: Inter remains without midfield stalwarts Nicolò Barella and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, while Denzel Dumfries is still recovering from ankle surgery.

• The "Forgotten" Hero: With the midfield depleted, Davide Frattesi is set for a rare start, having played a starring role in the reverse fixture.

• Predicted XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Frattesi, Zieliński, Sučić, Dimarco; Martínez, Thuram.

Cremonese: Survival Specialist Under Pressure

Davide Nicola is famously known for his "miracle" escapes, but the pressure is mounting. Cremonese has failed to score in seven of their last eight matchdays, accruing just three points in that period. Their 1–0 loss to Sassuolo last weekend highlighted a toothless attack that desperately needs a spark.

Team News and Selection:

• The Vardy Factor: Veteran striker Jamie Vardy continues to lead the line; interestingly, he has scored the final goal in each of his four scoring appearances this season.

• Suspensions/Injuries: Tommaso Barbieri is suspended, while Michele Collocolo and Antonio Sanabria are out with injuries.

• Fresh Faces: New signing Milan Djurić could feature as Nicola looks for more physical presence in the box.

• Predicted XI (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Zerbin, Payero, Grassi, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Historic Dominance: Inter has an 82% win rate against Cremonese in Serie A—their highest against any team they've played more than 10 times.

• Early Starters: Inter has scored a league-high eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season.

• Away Streaks: Inter has won six straight Serie A away games, conceding only nine goals on the road all season.

• The "Zini" Drought: Cremonese has won only one of their last nine home matches (D5, L3).

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

Inter will likely control the tempo from the start, using the overlapping runs of Carlos Augusto (playing as a wing-back or auxiliary center-back) and Federico Dimarco to overload the wide areas. Cremonese will rely on a deep block and the hold-up play of Federico Bonazzoli to launch rare counters.

Given that Cremonese hasn't won a Serie A match after falling behind this season, an early Inter goal could effectively end the contest. Expect the leaders to win comfortably before rotating their squad for the upcoming Coppa Italia quarter-final against Torino.

Final Score Prediction: Cremonese 0–2 Inter Milan