Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to start Benjamin Pavard in defense and Kristjan Asllani in this evening’s Champions League group stage opener away to Real Sociedad, with kickoff scheduled for 21.00 CET.

This evening, Inzaghi has a few changes compared to the team that beat AC Milan 5-1 in the derby over the weekend.

Firstly, Benjamin Pavard gets his first start.

The Frenchman joined the Nerazzurri from Bayern Munich at the end of the summer transfer window. He’s yet to make an appearance for the Nerazzurri, but comes straight into the starting eleven this evening.

Secondly, Kristjan Asllani makes his first start of the season. The 21-year-old has made two cameo appearances from the bench so far this season.

But an injury to Hakan Calhanoglu means that Asllani starts against La Real.

Thirdly, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Augusto play on the wings. They continue to start for Inter as they’ve done in every match so far this campaign.

Then, in defence it’s Alessandro Bastoni and Stefan de Vrij lining up alongside debutante Pavard.

Lautaro Martinez & Marcus Thuram Lead The Line Once Again

Fourthly, in midfield, Henrikh Mkhitaryan plays alongside Asllani and 26-year-old Italian international Nicolo Barella.

Inter’s deadline day signing Davy Klaassen is available on the bench.

Subsequently, up front, Argentina international forward Lautaro Martinez starts. He is Inter’s captain having inherited the armband from Samir Handanovic.

Marko Arnautovic lines up alongside Martinez. This is the first time the Austrian starts since returning to Inter this last summer.

Therefore, new signings like Frattesi, Cuadrado, Yann Bisseck, and Marko Arnautovic all start on the bench once again.

In conclusion, Inzaghi has given a first ever start to Pavard, and a first start to this season to Asllani. But the coach has continued to trust a lot of his usual stalwarts rather than radically overhauling the starting eleven.

Official Starting Lineups Real Sociedad Vs Inter Milan

Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Remiro; Traoré, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Tierney; Brais Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino, Barrenetxea; Kubo, Oyarzabal.
Substitutes: Ayesa, Marrero, Odriozola, Muñoz, Pacheco, Gonzalez, Turrientes, Zakharyan, Olasagasti, Magunacelaya, Cho, Sadiq.
Coach: Alguacil.
Suspended: Fernandez (1 match).
Injured and unavailable: André Silva, Elustondo, Merquelanz.

Inter (3-5-2): Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Marko Arnautovic, Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: Emil Audero, Raffaele Di Gennaro, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, Yann Bisseck, Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, Davy Klaassen, Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Thuram.
Coach: Simone Inzaghi.
Suspended: no one.
Injured and unavailable: Juan Cuadrado, Hakan Calhanoglu.

Referee: Michael Oliver.
Assistant referees: Burt and Cook.
Fourth official: Madley.
VAR: Atwell and Bebek.