Defender Matteo Darmian will start for Inter Milan in their Serie A clash away to Cagliari tomorrow evening.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the 33-year-old will line up alongside Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni in the Nerazzurri’s back three.
At the moment, Inter are a bit thin on the ground in terms of defensive options.
In their first Serie A match of the season, only four senior defenders were available to coach Simone Inzaghi.
With Francesco Acerbi out, it was left to Darmian, de Vrij, and Bastoni to marshal the Monza attack. Then, during the closing stages of the match, Darmian came off with a minor ankle injury.
Young German defender Yann Bisseck replaced the Italian international. This was the 22-year-old’s debut in Serie A.
No Pavard Yet – Matteo Darmian To Start For Inter Vs Cagliari
This near-crisis in defense is a big part of the reason why Inter have been impatient to wrap up the signing of Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard.
However, the Bavarians still have not green lit that move. Therefore, Pavard is still technically speaking a Bayern player.
There is no chance of the Frenchman being available for Monday’s match against the Rossoblu.
Presumably, the 27-year-old former Stuttgart defender and 2018 World Cup winner should join in time to play in next weekend’s match against Fiorentina.
In any event, the fact that Pavard is still not an Inter player restricts Inzaghi’s options.
And the coach will accordingly stick with the same backline that started against Monza.
Acerbi will still be absent through injury as he had been against the Brianzoli. However, Darmian will be able to start.
Therefore, Darmian should be ready to start against Cagliari, with Bisseck ready to potentially come off the bench again.
And Inzaghi will be hoping that he can get Acerbi back from injury, and Pavard from Bayern, as he aims to build a strong defense for a tough season fighting on multiple fronts.
