As Inter prepare to welcome Roma to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, they will be facing a team that, like them, has endured a frustrating 2015.
The Giallorossi, once a serious contender for the Scudetto, have fallen by the wayside with some shockingly disappointing performances in the second half of the season. This has now allowed bitter cross-town rivals Lazio to slip into second thanks to the recent resurgence of the Biancocelesti, but given that Stefano Pioli's men were halted by Juventus last weekend, this match could represent an excellent chance for Rudi Garcia's side to get back on track.
Roma will have to worry about Napoli, as a loss to the Nerazzurri, coupled with a win for the Partenopei will see the gap cut to just two points in the race for a Champions League berth.
Meanwhile, Inter are not entirely out of the running for European football, but with just seven games remaining till the end of the season, time is running out for them to make a late push in what would be an incredible feat to catch fifth-placed Sampdoria, who sits eight points ahead.
Objectives: Both Roma and Inter will take to the pitch wanting to turn things around after dropping points in their last matches
Last weekend's Derby della Madonnina was an excellent opportunity for Roberto Mancini to take advantage of AC Milan's struggles this campaign. Yet, the former Manchester City coach was again unable to find a way past the Rossoneri in a rather dull affair, but still has faith in his squad's abilities to finish the season on a decent note:
.@robymancio: "Dobbiamo pensare a vincere la partita di domani. Questa settimana con tre partite in sette giorni sarà importante" #InterRoma
— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter) April 24, 2015
"We must think about winning our game tomorrow. This week, with three games in seven days will be very important [for us]."
Inter fans will be pleased with the return of key duo Fredy Guarin and Marcelo Brozovic, who missed out on the derby clash last weekend due to a ban, but Gary Medel will have to sit this one out due to his own suspension.
Roma's draw last weekend to Atalanta was their second consecutive stalemate and their 13th so far this season, meaning that they have dropped a total of four points in their last two games. Thankfully for Roma supporters, there is some great news concerning two of their star players, who were unable to feature last weekend:
Pjanic e Gervinho tornano tra i convocati per #InterRoma. pic.twitter.com/c4GxqY8dFI
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) April 24, 2015
"Pjanic and Gervinho are back in the matchday squad for Inter v. Roma"
Ahead of tonight's clash, a quick glance reveal that Inter enjoy the historical advantage over Roma in terms of their head to head record:
L'#ASRoma oggi sfiderà l'@Inter per la 100° volta in trasferta: ecco qui le statistiche sui precedenti… pic.twitter.com/BCoG08mU1y
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) April 25, 2015
However, in recent times, the tide has swung in favour of the Lupi. The last time La Beneamata defeated their visitors in league action was in February 2011; since then they have lost four out of their last seven meetings (not including friendlies). And the last two times Roma have visited the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, they headed back to Italy's capital with all three points in April 2013 and again in October 2013. Should they win this evening, it would represent the first time they have been successfully able to defeat Inter on the road three consecutive times.
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