Inter Milan are set to deploy Nicolo Barella at the base of midfield for the Serie A opener against Torino, with Hakan Calhanoglu suspended after accumulating yellow cards.
Barella is anticipated to anchor the midfield, while summer signing Petar Sucic will operate as a box-to-box midfielder in what would be his first Serie A start for the club. Veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan completes the midfield trio, providing creativity and experience alongside the two youngsters.
The proposed lineup emphasizes a balanced middle, with Barella offering defensive cover and ball circulation, Sucic bringing energy and vertical runners, and Mkhitaryan linking play and delivering decisive passes. This setup aims to maintain control in the middle and create attacking avenues for Inter.
What to watch:
– How Barella handles the holding role and screens the defense.
– Sucic’s adaptation to the Italian league in a more forward-facing duty.
– Mkhitaryan’s movement and decision-making to connect with attackers.
– Inter’s midfield discipline against Torino’s tactical approach, and whether this blend can translate into early-season momentum.
Summary: Inter are leaning on a midfield trio that blends Barella’s steadiness with Sucic’s energy and Mkhitaryan’s experience, aiming for a solid start to the season that could set a positive tone for the group. A strong performance could pave the way for confidence-building early in the campaign.