Inter against Fiorentina is a plain level gap, and the gap holds even with Inter rotating after Europe. Inter's league attack has been producing heavy chance totals without Lautaro, while Fiorentina have not won under Vanoli and arrive missing their left side and their ball-winners. In Izmir, Aras Kargo and THY are two rebuilt volleyball sides, and the difference is which one has settled its six.
Inter under Chivu flood the box: two strikers, wing-backs arriving late, midfielders running beyond. Their last three league games all produced big chance numbers, including the comeback win at Bologna with the same Lautaro-less front line that Pio Esposito, Augusto, Diouf and Bisseck now point to. Going behind at Roma did not stop them either.
Fiorentina's plan is to sit deep and break through Mastantuono and Gnonto into the space behind Inter's wing-backs, and set pieces through Pongracic are a real outlet. But they have conceded plenty of chances to mid-table sides under Vanoli, they have shipped early goals in clumps, and without Ranieri, Parisi, Atta and Oulai the back line and midfield are thin exactly where they need to absorb pressure.
I expect Inter to take the ball and press, with a goal before the break forcing Fiorentina to open up, which then gives Thuram space on the break. That's why I'm siding with Inter to win.
In the volleyball, THY have fielded the same six in their last two league matches, with Caliskan feeding Lazareva as the clear finisher and Cebecioglu and Baijens as second options. Aras are still rotating their wings around a new setter. Against the same opponents, THY won by wider margins at Afyon, and both beat Galatasaray in five at home.
Aras's best tool is the home serve from mid-set on, the weapon that turned their comeback against Galatasaray, and THY did fade at Kuzeyboru after winning the first set. So I expect tight sets and probably four or five of them. A settled six usually closes those tight endings better than a changing one. That's why I'm siding with THY to win the match.
