The round of 16 in the Italian Cup provides the opportunity for turnover and experiments for Inter too. It went well for Thiago Motta’s Juventus, who tested Locatelli and McKennie in defense in the 4-0 win over Cagliari. It had gone badly for Antonio Conte’s Napoli, defeated both in the cup and in the championship by Lazio. Who, after the heavy 0-6 in Monday’s postponement at the Olimpico, risk finding the Nerazzurri in the quarter-finals. However, they must first overcome the obstacle Udinese on Thursday evening.
Two seasonal debuts are expected at San Siro: on the one hand the former player Alexis Sanchez in attack, on the other Josep Martinez in goal. The Spaniard born in 1998 (arrived from Genoa for 13.5 million euros with a contract until June 2029 worth 1.5 million euros net per year) has the first chance to demonstrate that he is worthy of Inter for the post-Sommer team, who has just turned 36 and is under contract until June 2026.
In the same sense Simone Inzaghi carries out another test, trying Yann Bisseck in central defence. It remains to be seen whether the German born in 2000 has what it takes to do so collect in the future the legacy of Francesco Acerbi, who will be 37 years old next February 10th. His contract expires in June 2026, but there is a clause to terminate the agreement a year early at the end of this season.
Tajon Buchanan was also on the pitch from the start. Arrived from Bruges for 7.3 million euros last January after Cuadrado’s injury (then moved to Atalanta on a free transfer), the Canadian international born in 1999 is in his first match as a starter in the Nerazzurri shirt.
He wants to prove that he belongs to Inter, as does Tomas Palacios, who is champing at the bit on the bench. Although in a different role, the Argentine defender born in 2003 arrived in the past summer transfer market to make up for Buchanan’s injury in the national team.
Kristjan Asllani, favorite in the run-off with Hakan Calhanoglu, should also start in the control room. The Albanian international born in 2002, former Empoli, is the cornerstone of an orphaned midfield Barella (injured and replaced by Frattesi) and Mkhitaryan, who Zielinski lets take a breather on the bench.
Rest is also in sight for de Vrij, Dumfries, Dimarco, Lautaro and Thuram. In attack there is room for Taremi and Arnautovic, with Correa ready to enter during the race in progress. The last two are out of contract, destined to be released on a free transfer at the end of this season. Instead, the former Porto Iranian is looking for redemption after a disappointing first part of the season.
THE PROBABLE FORMATION
INTER (3-5-2): Martinez; Darmian, Bisseck, Bastoni; Buchanan, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Carlos Augusto; Arnautovic, Taremi.
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