Simone Inzaghi could be set to hand a surprise start to Roberto Gagliardini for the match against Lazio on Friday night, according to a report in the Italian print media today.

As has been reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian defender could take the place of Hakan Calhanoglu at the Stadio Olimpico and it is for a very specific.

The former Lazio coach is wary of the fact that Sergej Milnkovic-Savic has a strong physical presence and if he is left unchallenged, he can use his incredible technical ability to really hurt Inter.

Roberto Gagliardini is the most physically imposing midfielder that Inter have in the squad and the coach could ask him to nullify the threat of the Serbian midfeilder whilst handing more creative responsibility to Nicolo Barella.

Simone Inzaghi did actually use this tactic in the two games against Lazio last season although the Roman side did get four points from six.