Inter Milan Face Pisa In High Stakes Serie A Clash

The stage was set at the iconic Stadio Meazza in San Siro, Milan, as Serie A leaders Inter Milan welcomed relegation-threatened Pisa for the opening fixture of Week 22 on Friday, January 23, 2026. With over 5,000 Pisa supporters making the journey north, the energy inside the stadium was palpable, despite the clear gulf in form and fortune between the two sides. Kick-off was promptly at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT), and all eyes were on whether Inter could bounce back from a stinging midweek defeat in Europe.

Inter entered the contest riding high atop the Serie A standings, boasting a three-point cushion over city rivals AC Milan. Cristian Chivu’s men had been nearly flawless domestically, winning 16 of their 21 league matches and amassing 49 points, the best record in the division. Their dominance at home was especially impressive, with 25 points from 11 outings and just eight goals conceded at San Siro. Inter’s attack, led by the prolific Lautaro Martinez, had notched 44 goals—ten more than their nearest challengers.

Yet, the Nerazzurri were coming off a bruising 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League just days prior. That loss not only dented their European aspirations, leaving them outside the top eight and facing a potential playoff for last-16 qualification, but also raised questions about their resilience. “Three consecutive defeats in that competition can negatively impact a team’s ambitions,” noted one betting expert, underscoring the pressure on Chivu’s squad to respond with authority in Serie A.

Pisa, in stark contrast, were mired in a relegation scrap. Sitting 19th with just 14 points and a solitary league win all season, Alberto Gilardino’s newly promoted side had struggled to adapt to the rigors of top-flight football. Their away form was the worst in the division—no victories from ten attempts—and they had failed to score in over half their matches. Still, Pisa had shown flashes of resilience, most recently holding Atalanta to a 1-1 draw for their 11th stalemate of the campaign. Earlier in the season, they even managed a dramatic 2-2 draw at this very stadium against AC Milan, a testament to their fighting spirit.

The reverse fixture played in Pisa at the end of November saw Inter emerge 2-0 victors, with Lautaro Martinez bagging both goals. The Argentine striker, who had already scored 11 league goals this term (a quarter of Inter’s total), remained the focal point of their attack. Despite being stifled by Arsenal midweek, Martinez was tipped by pundits to find the net again. “Since he scores in every other game, the blank during the week means he is destined to get onto the scoresheet,” predicted analysts ahead of the match.

The probable lineups reflected the teams’ contrasting fortunes and ambitions. Inter’s expected eleven featured Sommer in goal; a backline of Bisseck, Akanji, and Augusto; midfielders Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, and Mkhitaryan; wing-back Dimarco; and the strike duo of Esposito and Martinez. Pisa, meanwhile, lined up with Scuffet between the posts; defenders Coppola, Calabresi, and Canestrelli; Toure, Marin, Aebischer, and Angori in midfield; and an attacking trio of Moreo, Tramoni, and Meister. Notably, Carlos Augusto and Idrissa Toure were pictured in a heated midfield tussle, encapsulating the battle for control in the center of the park.

For fans unable to attend, the match was broadcast live exclusively on DAZN, with pre-match buildup and live coverage starting on Inter TV and the club’s official YouTube channel. After the final whistle, supporters could catch in-depth analysis, highlights, and interviews, ensuring no one missed a beat of the action.

Inter’s approach was clear from the outset—they had scored first in 18 of their 21 Serie A matches this season and converted every halftime lead into three points. At home, they led at the break in more than half their games, and their defensive solidity meant that three of their last four league victories came without conceding. “Chivu’s troops boast the best attackers, having scored 44 goals in total, 10 more than their nearest rivals, AC Milan,” observed one preview, highlighting their offensive firepower. On the flip side, Pisa’s attack had been toothless, averaging just 0.76 goals per game and drawing a blank in 52% of their fixtures.

The stakes for both sides couldn’t have been higher. For Inter, consolidating their position at the summit was vital—not just to maintain their lead over Milan, but also to restore confidence after their European setback. “The hosts will enjoy focusing on Serie A, where they currently top the standings,” wrote a columnist, emphasizing the need for a statement performance. Pisa, meanwhile, were desperate for points to claw their way out of the drop zone, knowing that even a draw at San Siro could be a lifeline in their survival bid.

Betting markets and pundits heavily favored Inter, with predictions ranging from a routine 2-0 to a more emphatic 3-0 victory. The consensus was that Lautaro Martinez would likely get on the scoresheet, possibly joined by young forward Francesco Esposito. The narrative was further fueled by Inter’s ability to shut out opponents—having kept clean sheets in over half their wins—and Pisa’s chronic struggles in front of goal.

The match itself, played under the bright lights and with the roar of thousands echoing off the San Siro’s storied stands, was more than just another league fixture. It was a test of Inter’s mettle after continental disappointment and a measure of Pisa’s resolve in the face of adversity. While the outcome seemed all but certain on paper, football has a way of defying expectations—especially with so much at stake for both teams.

As the final whistle approached, the result was still in the balance, with Inter pushing to assert their dominance and Pisa clinging to hope. Regardless of the outcome, the evening at San Siro served as a vivid reminder of why Serie A remains one of the most compelling leagues in world football: drama, passion, and the ever-present possibility of the unexpected.