Romelu Lukaku played under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Manchester United, but now the pair are set to face off in a big early-season match in Serie A.
To come here and have a manager like Mourinho to coach you, to believe in you only gives you more confidence." They weren't even especially close in the end, finishing a full 10 points behind fourth-placed [Juventus](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/juventus-fc) after turning their attention to Europe once the top four looked unlikely. Now it's time to see whether Mourinho - a Serie A champion with Inter more than a decade ago - can still compete with the best. Tammy Abraham has become the latest striker to enjoy his football under Mourinho, returning to the England fold in June after leaving Chelsea for Roma in 2021. [Manchester United](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-united-fc), after a £75m move in 2017, there was an argument that the manager was making up for lost time. Rather, Lukaku's comments about Mourinho point to a manager who understood what was best for the player at different stages of his career. "He's a big guy, physically so strong, but there is also a kid inside who needs that love, needs that support, needs to feel important." While Tuchel has now left Stamford Bridge, Lukaku remains unlikely to return, and considering his popularity in Milan this might not be the biggest of surprises. And when he does, he'll come up against another man who has reaped the benefits of Mourinho's managerial approach. Despite impressing on his debut in a victory over Inter, meanwhile, have already lost ground after narrowly missing out on last year's Scudetto and sit a point behind the Giallorossi in seventh after losing their last three away games. "As a player, that is what you want.
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza forms the backdrop as Inter and Roma go head-to-head in Saturday's blockbuster Serie A showdown.
A 3-1 defeat against Udinese in their last outing marked just the fourth time since 1994/95 that Inter had lost at least three of their opening seven matches of a top-flight campaign (W4, L3). But it may not be the Argentine to tip the scales in the visiting side’s favor here. Without Mourinho in the dugout, Roma look like a doomed outfit before the kick-off. The visitors’ bid to claim their first top-four Serie A finish since 2017/18 is, therefore, alive and kicking. On the other hand, Roma wasted numerous clear-cut opportunities during a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Atalanta last time out. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza forms the backdrop as Inter and Roma go head-to-head in Saturday’s blockbuster Serie A showdown.
Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is fully fit to start this evening's Serie A clash with Roma, and will play for a place in the starting eleven with.
Stefano Pioli wants his Milan to bounce back after their recent loss to Napoli and they're hungry for all three points against Empoli today.
[Mike Maignan](https://football-italia.net/player/mike-maignan/), [Alessandro Florenzi](https://football-italia.net/player/alessandro-florenzi/), Theo Hernandez, [Zlatan Ibrahimovic](https://football-italia.net/player/zlatan-ibrahimovic/) and [Divock Origi](https://football-italia.net/player/divock-origi/) are all unavailable, and [Ante Rebic](https://football-italia.net/player/ante-rebic/)’s condition is a little uncertain after just returning from injury. [Ardian Ismajli](https://football-italia.net/player/ardian-ismajli/), [Lorenzo Tonelli](https://football-italia.net/player/lorenzo-tonelli/) or [Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro](https://football-italia.net/player/jean-daniel-akpa-akpro/) for today’s clash, with all three sidelined with injuries. [Milan](/teams/milan) to bounce back after their recent loss to [Napoli](/teams/napoli) and they’re hungry for all three points against [Empoli](/teams/empoli) today.
Brandt Sutton locked in his best bets for Saturday's Inter Milan vs. Roma Italian Serie A match on Paramount+.
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Inter and Roma both try to get back on track in the Scudetto race, but Romelu Lukaku and Marcelo Brozovic are out, while Jose Mourinho unveils a new ...
[Edin Dzeko](https://football-italia.net/player/edin-dzeko/) partners Lautaro Martinez, with an eye also on the upcoming Champions League showdown with Barcelona. [Rick](https://football-italia.net/player/rick/) Karsdorp, [Georginio Wijnaldum](https://football-italia.net/player/georginio-wijnaldum/) and [Ebrima Darboe](https://football-italia.net/player/ebrima-darboe/). [Francesco Acerbi](https://football-italia.net/player/francesco-acerbi/) is again chosen in place of [Stefan de Vrij](https://football-italia.net/player/stefan-de-vrij/). [Tammy Abraham](https://football-italia.net/player/tammy-abraham/) is dropped, using La Joya as a centre-forward. [Kristjan Asllani](https://football-italia.net/player/kristjan-asllani/) starts in midfield and [Hakan Calhanoglu](https://football-italia.net/player/hakan-calhanoglu/) is back. [Inter](/teams/inter) and [Roma](/teams/roma) both try to get back on track in the Scudetto race, but [Romelu Lukaku](https://football-italia.net/player/romelu-lukaku/) and [Marcelo](https://football-italia.net/player/marcelo/) Brozovic are out, while Jose Mourinho unveils a new approach with [Paulo Dybala](https://football-italia.net/player/paulo-dybala/) as centre-forward.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has recently discussed the idea of a Premier League All-Star game featuring players from two regions of the country facing each ...
An All-Star game would be an exciting match to watch, and we could have even more players on the team if it happens at the end of this campaign. If that idea happens today, which players would be in the Serie A All-Star lineup? However, it has some supporters, and it might be an exciting idea to try in Serie A.
EARLY SCARE FOR ROMA. Spinazzola had to be quick to deny Edin Dzeko after Inter win the ball back high up the pitch. 1st Half.
Pellegrini's ball in was magnificent, but any of three Roma players could have got the decisive touch as Inter's defence disappeared. 90'
Junior Messias will miss the game, too. There is good news for Coach Pioli though, with Rafa Leão being back available after his one-match suspension, which may ...
[1-0 win over Torino](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/videos/highlights/2021-10-26/ac-milan-v-torino-serie-a-2021-22-the-highlights). This round of fixtures ends with Atalanta v Fiorentina at 18:00 CEST and Juventus v Bologna at 20:45 CEST, while Hellas Verona v Udinese is the Monday night match at 20.45 CEST. [AC Milan's Twitch channel ](https://www.twitch.tv/acmilan)with Francesco Specchia, Lollo and other special guests on Live Reaction. The Tuscans have back in their squad the former AC Milan player and Baldanzi, but won't be able to rely on the injured Ismajli and Akpa Akpro, who join the long-term injury list with Tonelli. [Giroud](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/awards/2022-09-30/mvp-for-september-olivier-giroud) is set to lead the line, with Ante Rebić also back in the squad. Gianluca Aureliano will referee the game with Empoli. The show will begin at 19:30 CEST and continue until kick-off, with post-match interviews and Coach Pioli's press conference shown after the game. "Empoli are a busy side, technically good, who try to get close to you and stop you from playing", said Coach Pioli on the eve of the match. "It was a pleasure analysing AC Milan, because they are good in every aspect of the game", Paolo Zanetti said in his press conference. [Pioli](https://www.acmilan.com/en/teams/men-first-team/coach) though, with Rafa Leão being back available after his one-match suspension, which may allow him to make some selections with Wednesday's Champions League game in mind. Stefano Pioli's AC Milan arrive in Tuscany to face Paolo Zanetti's Azzurri side looking to get back to winning ways in the Replacing them will be Tătăruşanu between the sticks and Ballo-Touré on the left-hand flank.
Saturday's Serie A action rounds off at Stadio Carlo Castellani as bottom-half Empoli and title-bidding Milan meet in contrasting circumstances.
With Leao back, Milan will feel confident about their effort to maintain a 100% unbeaten ratio on the road this term (W1, D3). Moreover, Empoli have picked up just one win in their last 11 Serie A meetings with Milan (D4, L6), courtesy of a 2-1 away triumph in April 2017. Back to the familiar comfies of Carlo Castellani, Empoli will be searching for back-to-back Serie A wins for the first time since December 2021. Having seen a six-game unbeaten start (W4, D2) to their Serie A title defense go out of the window, They won just 17 Serie A points at Carlo Castellani in 2021/22 compared to 24 on their travels. Paolo Zanetti’s men eked out a morale-boosting 1-0 triumph at Bologna on the stroke of September’s international break.
Ethan Ampadu has set a new all-time Serie A record, managing to bring down Ciro Immobile and give away a penalty just 39 seconds into Lazio-Spezia.
[Milan](/teams/milan) defender [Mattia De Sciglio](https://football-italia.net/player/mattia-de-sciglio/) to foul [Marek Hamsik](https://football-italia.net/player/marek-hamsik/) and give away a spot-kick against [Napoli](/teams/napoli) on May 3, 2015. It was the earliest penalty foul in Serie A history, surpassing the 42 seconds it took [Ethan Ampadu](https://football-italia.net/player/ethan-ampadu/) has set a new all-time Serie A record, managing to bring down [Ciro Immobile](https://football-italia.net/player/ciro-immobile/) and give away a penalty just 39 seconds into [Lazio](/teams/lazio)– [Spezia](/teams/spezia).