Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to start Stefan de Vrij in defense and Denzel Dumfries against Atletico Madrid. The Champions League round of sixteen second leg kicks off at 21.00 CET.
Simone Inzaghi has gone with what he sees as his strongest possible starting eleven available, more or less.
Firstly, the big news concerns two Dutch internationals getting the nod over Italian veterans. Therefore, both of de Vrij and Dumfries are on the team.
Accordingly, there is no place for either Francesco Acerbi or Matteo Darmian.
Meanwhile, in goal it is Yann Sommer taking up his usual starting berth.
Then, in defense, the likes of Benjamin Pavard and Alessandro Bastoni line up on either side of de Vrij.
Furthermore, in midfield, it is the usual trio. Therefore, Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Hakan Calhanoglu start.
Dumfries Gets The Nod Over Darmian At Right-Wingback
Subsequently, 27-year-old former PSV wingback Denzel Dumfries, starts on the right.
Former Manchester United veteran Darmian had been the starter in the first leg against Atletico. But Dumfries has earned a spot ahead of the 34-year-old.
On the opposite flank, it is Italy international Federico Dimarco.
The 26-year-old had not played a minute over the weekend against Bologna, getting a complete rest.
However, particularly with Carlos Augusto out injured, it was never in doubt that Dimarco would start this evening. Lastly, in attack, it is the first-choice strike partnership.
Therefore, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram lead the line.
Meanwhile, in terms of injuries, there is Augusto missing for Inter. The Brazilian had picked up a calf problem against Bologna on Saturday.
Finally in conclusion, striker Marko Arnautovic is also missing through an injury that he picked up over the weekend – a thigh strain in the Austrian’s case.
Official Starting Lineups Atletico Madrid Vs Inter Milan
Atletico Madrid (3-5-2): Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Llorente, Lino; Griezmann, Morata.
Substitutes: Moldovan, Gomis, Azpilicueta, Gabriel Paulista, Reinildo, Barrios, Saul, Vermeeren, Riquelme, Depay, Correa.
Coach: Simeone.
Suspended: no one.
Injured and unavailable: Gimenez, Lemar.
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: Emil Audero, Raffaele Di Gennaro, Francesco Acerbi, Yann Bisseck, Matteo Darmian, Tajon Buchanan, Kristjan Asllani, Aleksandar Stankovic, Davide Frattesi, Davy Klaassen, Alexis Sanchez, Amadou Sarr.
Coach: Simone Inzaghi.
Suspended: no one.
Injured and unavailable: Marko Arnautovic, Carlos Augusto.
Referee: Marciniak.
Assistant referees: Listkiewicz and Kupsik.
Fourth official: Raczkowski.
VAR: Kwiatkowski and Frankowski.