Matteo Darmian is the favourite to start on the right flank for Inter Milan against Atletico Madrid in tomorrow’s Champions League clash.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that right-wingback is the sole selection doubt for Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi.
There is little doubt about Inzaghi’s intentions for tomorrow’s round of sixteen match. The Inter coach wants his strongest team on the pitch.
And mostly, that means that the coach has no doubts.
In goal, of course, former Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach veteran Yann Sommer is set to start.
And in defense, Benjamin Pavard and Alessandro Bastoni will play on either side of Stefan de Vrij.
The Dutchman will start with Francesco Acerbi out with a calf injury.
Then in midfield, the trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolo Barella virtually picks itself.
In attack, it is a similar story. Captain Lautaro Martinez will lead the line for Inter alongside Marcus Thuram.
Matteo Darmian Favourite To Start For Inter Vs Atletico Madrid
On the flanks, Inzaghi switched things up over the weekend.
In Friday’s match against Salernitana, Carlos Augusto and Denzel Dumfries started.
That is not the wingback pair that has been starting most matches since the start of 2024.
Rather, it has been Italian international duo Darmian and Federico Dimarco who have started the majority of Inter’s matches this year.
But the two Azzurri stars got a rest on Friday. They neither started nor came off the bench.
On the left flank, there is no doubt. Dimarco will regain his starting spot ahead of Augusto.
This despite the Brazilian’s outstanding performance in a 4-0 win over Salernitana.
On the right, the Gazzetta reports, it should be a similar story. Darmian is firm favourite to start at right-wingback ahead of Dumfries.
But in that case, the newspaper anticipates, there is still a bit of doubt in Inzaghi’s mind given the different profile that Dumfries offers, and the 27-year-old excellent performance on Friday.
