Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is likely to be rested in this evening’s Champions League opener against Real Sociedad.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who also report that midfielder Kristjan Asllani will start the match in place of the injured Hakan Calhanoglu.
Bastoni has started every one of Inter’s matches in Serie A so far this season.
He was also a mainstay for the Italian national team during the international break.
On Saturday in the Milan derby, Bastoni came off during the second half of the match. Stefan de Vrij replaced the 24-year-old, with the Dutchman playing centrally and Francesco Acerbi shifting over to Bastoni’s cusomary position on the left.
This was perhaps a reflection of Inter coach Simone Inzaghi feeling that it’s time to start managing Bastoni’s minutes.
According to the Corriere, the coach will keep the Italian international defender out of the lineup this evening.
Rather, Acerbi will start on the left, and de Vrij in the middle.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Pavard will make his first start for Inter on the right of the back three, the Corriere anticipates.
Bastoni To Be Given A Rest Vs Real Sociedad, Asllani To Start
Meanwhile, in midfield, Inzaghi will have a bit of a decision to make.
Hakan Calhanoglu has started every one of the Nerazzurri’s matches so far.
However, the Turk is not part of the squad this evening. Therefore, Inzaghi will have to go with another option at the base of midfield.
Former Empoli midfielder Kristjan Asllani is the most natural like-for-like backup for Calhanoglu in the squad.
The Albanian has not started yet this season. He has received only a couple of cameo appearances from the bench.
However, according to the Corriere, Inzaghi is ready to start Asllani against La Real.
The 21-year-old will start at the base of Inter’s midfield, alongside Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan,
