Aleesandro Bastoni is the player who will start at the centre of Inter Milan’s defense if Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi are out.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. The newspaper anticipate that then Carlos Augusto would fill on on the left of the defense.
Inter are facing the prospect of missing two key players in defense when they return from the international break.
Defender de Vrij has pulled out of the Netherlands squad due to a muscle problem.
The injury, to the 32-year-old’s adductor, is not overly serious. But he may not be able to rush back for the match against Empoli after the break.
Meanwhile, Acerbi could be out for entirely different reasons.
The 36-year-old is currently under investigation for the alleged use of a racist slur against Napoli defender Juan Jesus during the Serie A match before the break.
And if the investigation were to find Acerbi guilty, then he would face a lengthy suspension.
Acerbi would miss at least ten matches – in other words, the entire rest of the season.
Alessandro Bastoni To Start In Centre Of Inter Back Three If De Vrij & Acerbi Out
If both de Vrij and Acerbi are missing, then Inter will be missing a particular profile in their defense.
The two former Lazio players are the players most adept to playing in the centre of a back three.
The pair’s physicality and man-marking ability make them natural anchors for the defense in the penalty area.
And if both de Vrij and Acerbi were to be missing, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi would have to improvise a solution.
There have been rumours that the coach would opt for Yann Bisseck in the role.
But according to Tuttosport, Inzaghi sees Bisseck as mainly a wide defender.
Therefore, Bastoni would instead start in the middle of the Inter back three.
And on the left, Carlos Augusto would take Bastoni’s place. The Brazilian has already proven this season that he is versatile enough to play in that position.
