Striker Mehdi Taremi and goalkeeper Josep Martinez will be in the Inter Milan starting eleven for today’s friendly clash wtih Lugano.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. The Corriere also report Taremi is a candidate to start in Inter’s Serie A opener against Genoa.
This evening, Inter take on Lugano in their first friendly of preseason.
The Swiss side are the Nerazzurri’s traditional first opponent of their preseason preparations. The annual closed-doors friendly with the Swiss is the first time the players get out on the pitch in any capacity.
Over the last few days, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has been leading the players in intense physical training to get them back into condition.
This evening at 18.30 CET, the players will start building match fitness and finding their chemistry on the pitch.
Mehdi Taremi & Josep Martinez To Start For Inter In Lugano Friendly
A key detail is that the Nerazzurri currently have a very piecemeal squad in training.
Most of last season’s regular starters are still missing. They have been away on international duty at either the Euros or the Copa America.
Whilst numerous key players will trickle in as their post-tournament vacations end, there are still a few senior players available.
The likes of Carlos Augusto, Yann Bisseck, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have been training with Inzaghi since Saturday.
That trio should start against Lugano.
And notably, two new faces have been in training since the weekend. Taremi and Martinez have been part of the training camp after completing their moves from Porto and Genoa respectively.
Therefore, both the Spaniard and the Iranian have had a few days to work closely with Inzaghi.
Both Taremi and Martinez should start for Inter against Lugano this evening.
And not just that. The Corriere also reports that Taremi could be in the Inter starting eleven for their first Serie A match of the season.
The Nerazzurri travel to Liguria to take on Genoa to begin their Serie A title defense. That will be on August 17th.
Crucially, that date is just a little over a week after Inter captain Lautaro Martinez returns from his vacation.
With Taremi having a full season under his belt, there is a sense that he may well be in better condition than the potentially rusty Martinez.
Therefore, the Iranian could start against Genoa.
