Defender Francesco Acerbi will start in defense for Inter Milan in Monday evening’s Serie A match against Empoli.
This according to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews.
It would be fair to say that Acerbi has had an eventful couple of weeks.
The 36-year-old has been at the centre of a firestorm concerning his alleged racial abuse of Napoli defender Juan Jesus before the international break.
Sporting Judge Gerardo Mastrandrea found Acerbi not guilty of using racially discriminatory language.
But Mastrandrea’s decision had more to do with a lack of conclusive evidence either way than with any positive conclusion that Acerbi had not uttered any racial slurs.
And in the meantime, the controversy surrounding the incident has lingered.
Acerbi insisted that he did not use a racial slur and is not racist. However, Jesus forcefully denounced the ruling, and continues to vehemently allege that the Inter defender had racially abused him.
Francesco Acerbi To Start For Inter Vs Empoli
There is therefore still the possibility that the controversy surrounding the incident against Napoli would be a distraction for Acerbi.
But according to Mediaset, that does not mean that the former Lazio and Sassuolo defender will not start in Inter’s first match back from the international break.
The Nerazzurri host Empoli in Serie A on Monday.
And there is not exactly a plethora of options for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi to choose from in defense.
That is because defender Stefan de Vrij is out with an injury. The Dutchman is likely to return to action in the following Monday’s match against Udinese.
Accordingly, Mediaset anticipate, Acerbi will be in action from the start.
Meanwhile, the broadcaster report, it will be the usual first-choice Inter attack to face Empoli on Monday.
That means that captain Lautaro Martinez will partner Marcus Thuram, Mediaset predict.
