Inter midfielder Arturo Vidal could be selected to play from the start in the Nerazzurri’s Champions League group stage opener against Real Madrid following his strong start to the season.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, who report that manager Simone Inzaghi could opt to start the Chilean in midfield for the crucial fixture, which would likely drop Hakan Calhanoglu to the bench.

Vidal had been expected to leave Inter for much of the summer, but in the end a move away never came, and he has made the most out of his continued presence at the club with decisive appearances off the bench against both Genoa and Hellas Verona.

The 34-year-old looks to have earned Inzaghi’s trust, and the coach could decide to start Calhanoglu against Sampdoria in Serie A, but keep the Turk in reserve for the Real Madrid clash, favouring Vidal.