Inter Milan will make a whopping eight changes to their starting eleven for this evening’s Champions Leage group stage match against Benfica.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
It had always looked fairly clear that Inter coach Simone Inzaghi would make a number of changes to the starting eleven for tomorrow evening’s match.
That is because of the fact that Inter have already qualified for the knockout rounds.
Therefore, the coach will rotate the squad to give key starters a rest.
Inter faced Juventus in a top-of-the-table league match over the weekend. And next Sunday they travel to Naples to face champions Napoli in another massive away game.
According to the Gazzetta, there will only be three players who remain in the Inter starting eleven from Sunday’s draw against Juventus.
Defenders Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi will keeper their place in the back three.
And Matteo Darmian will remain in the lineup, though he’ll move to wingback.
But otherwise, it will be a complete change-up.
Audero, Klaassen & Arnautovic Among Changes To Inter Lineup Vs Benfica
In goal, Emil Audero will get his first ever start for Inter.
The 26-year-old joined the Nerazzurri on loan from Sampdoria during the summer.
So far Yann Sommer has started every one of Inter’s matches. But it will finally be Audero’s time this evening.
On the right of the defense, Yann Bisseck will join de Vrij and Acerbi. The German will make his second consecutive start in the Champions League.
In midfield there will be a complete change-up.
Former Ajax and Everton midfielder Klaassen will start alongside Kristjan Asllani and Davide Frattesi. They will replace Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Hakan Calhanoglu.
On the right flank Carlos Augusto will get a start.
And in attack, veteran duo Alexis Sanchez and Marko Arnautovic will lead the line from the first minute. They will take the places of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.
