Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Francesco Pio Esposito and Davide Frattesi against Kairat Almaty. This evening’s Champions League Match Day 4 clash kicks off at 21:00 CEST at San Siro.
Inter head into their fourth Champions League outing under Cristian Chivu as odds-on favorites.
Furthermore, the San Siro giants boast a flawless three-game record at Europe’s top table this season.
Therefore, the Nerazzurri should take the field in high spirits, especially after beating Hellas Verona 2-1 on Sunday.
However, Chivu has more than one injury concern, with several players struggling with injuries.
The absence of veteran midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is perhaps the most significant.
Inter Milan vs Kairat Almaty – Pio Esposito Set For Third Champions League Start
Firstly, the big team news ahead of the match is that Francesco Pio Esposito will make his third start in the Champions League.
Back at Inter after a phenomenal breakout season at Spezia, the 20-year-old continues to make waves in Italian football.
Furthermore, the teenage striker scored his first-ever goal in the Champions League against Royale Union SG last time out.
Therefore, he is brimming with confidence, especially after scoring his maiden goal for Italy during October’s international break.
Despite starting in Inter’s last eight matches across all competitions, Lautaro Martinez retains his place in the final third.
Cristian Chivu Puts Faith in Davide Frattesi & Nicolo Barella
Another couple of pre-match question marks surrounded the midfield and the left-hand side.
Despite establishing himself as Inter’s driving force in the midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu will drop to the bench. This means Nicolo Barella starts in his place.
Furthermore, Piotr Zielinski starts again after scoring a sensational volley at the Bentegodi.
Therefore, Davide Frattesi returns to the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, on the left-hand side, Federico Dimarco starts on the left wing, with Denzel Dumfries starting on the right side.
In defense, Carlos Augusto gets the nod in the starting XI ahead of Alessandro Bastoni.
In addition to Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi is out, with Stefan de Vrij replacing him at the heart of Inter’s backline.
Finally, Yann Bisseck starts ahead of Manuel Akanji.
Official Starting Lineups – Inter Milan vs Kairat Almaty: Pio Esposito Starts
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Frattesi, Barella, Zielinski, Dimarco; Esposito, Lautaro.
Bench: Martinez, Calligaris, Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni, Luis Henrique,, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Diouf, Bonny, Thuram.
Coach: Chivu.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Mkhitaryan, Darmian, Palacios, Di Gennaro.
Kairat Almaty (4-2-3-1): Anarbekov; Edmilson, Sorokin, Shirobokov, Luis Mata; Arad, Kasabulat; Gromyko, Jorginho, Mrynskiy; Satpayev.
Bench: Zarutskiy, Kurgin, Zaria, Baibek, Sadybekov, Glazer, Tapalov, Ricardinho.
Coach: Urazbakhtin.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Martynovich.
Referee: Godinho.
Assistants: Rui Teixeira and Almeida.
Fourth official: Nobre.
Var: Narcissus.
Avar: Tiago Martins.
It was a poor performance, I could barely watch this team play. What a shame of a performance. Disgrace. These inter players are tired, can’t run, can’t play fast. It’s like seeing middle aged men play. What is going on?? But again, there’s not much to expect from this team, it was just pure luck that we won this match. Which we didn’t deserve to win.
I think we’ve qualified for the knockout phase. Not a great game, but win is a win.
If you’re referring to the knockout stage including the playoff round, yes. If you’re referring to the round of 16, not quite there yet. Last season, 16 points got you into the top 8. Inter needs at least 4 more points. These games are going to be great litmus tests to see where Inter actually stands. I think we’re definitely not on par with heavy weights like Bayern, City, Liverpool, PSG, and Arsenal. Barcelona and Madrid are a step behind these other teams in the CL and Inter might be at least a couple steps behind, but not that far, Just enough so that Inter is able to pull a win against heavy weights from time to time, say 2-3 games out of 10. I think Inter is on par with Atletico and Dortmund. So hopefully Inter can get the four needed points and move onto the round of 16 and avoid the playoff round. Anything above 16 points would mean that Inter is having an outstanding run in the league face, which would make me extremely happy.
Inter beat Bayern and Barca, scoring a total of 11 goals against them, wtf are you talking? In big european nights, Inter is a beast, except tha damn final lost to oil team.
So, if we get a draw in all remaining games we are in a round of 16. For those games maybe we can switch back to Inzaghis style to sit deep and hit on the counter. Our players are well aknowledged of that tactic. I’m not sure we can win against Liverpool and Arsenal but against Atletico and Dortmund, with the right approach and attitude, we can win.
Our scouts need to move from Argentina and similar countries to lesser leagues in Europe. There are always teenagers there who are pushed to play so that they can be sold for big bucks. Satpayev, a 17 year old kid, was bought for only 2.5mil and he already has 30 games played for seniors, plus is probably their best player
Yes, that kid was wonderful last night, why won’t we buy him? He’s so fast and strong also, he dominated Fratessi and Zielinski.
Pretty bad game but atleast we got the win. We did play with most of our B team so i don’t get these negative comments. Pio needs to stop going to ground all the time tho, even when he shoots he falls? just stay on ur feet. other than that his vision is really good and he does collect fouls. Zielinksi and Frattesi useless as ever also.
Inter were arrogant they didn’t seem to realise they were in a football match. I used to defend the likes of Zielinski but the guy can be annoying at times but just standing doing nothing while Inter are in dangerous positions as if he’s not suppose to help and he has done his part for delivering the ball forward. At least Frattessi although lost in many occasions and matches he always always shows like he actually gives a damn. Why not CHivu not screaming at him specifically to raise his game and be proactive in trying to help the team score the same way Barella does with full commitment. Zielinski is great player but it’s clear he will not even come close to his best because he doesn’t care which makes him a liability both in defence and attack
Another narrow 2-1 win. We take it but against big teams we struggle…
Pio is a good talent but he needs to play regularly to develop so he should be loaned out since he’s only a teenager, can’t expect much from him.
Diouf was a panic buy and needs to also be loaned out so sold.
Zielinski is not even half as good as he was in Napoli and he’s been a flop since he’s been here, don’t understand why we didn’t replace him in the summer.
The fact that we spend 25M on each player purchased is not good, you can’t expect much from a player who’s worth 25M
This team started the season so well by pressing and showing entertaining football. However, now it looks like these majesties are the ones doing us a favor by just standing around giving no effort.
Plan has been, for a number of games already, to run from the wings and cross as much as physically possible, simultaneously showing tired, defeated faces with no urgency. The season is not even half way yet and it looks like they are about to drop dead any minute. This is Spaletti era boring football and it’s interesting to see how they’ll perform against big teams.
I really appreciate this Kairat team, They came with high spirit, give Inter lesson in phisical, but Inter can well manage to keep calm, teamworking, and more technical. Our remain homework is still the finishers.
true
Thank you, Inter for 4 wins. Now UCL will be boring. Now I expect 4 losses. I don’t even have hope. We are weak and we disappear against strong teams. Agree with me or not, Juventus and Napoli are proof.
Congratulations
we will let our Diouf material some playing time, and maybe our B team or primavera players
Last season, Inter did not win against Juve, Milan, Napoli and only won one out of two against Roma and Lazio. But the story in CL was different. Inter beat Arsenal, Bayern and Barca. I’m not saying Inter will win all games, but I think Inter can get at least 4. Dortmund and Atletico aren’t doing that great. We’ve faced both teams during the Conte days and Inzaghi and we were able to win games against both teams. So I hope Inter can get at least a draw against both, which will be hard since both are away games. The only reason I still have some hope against Liverpool and Arsenal is because Inter plays at home and Inter beat Arsenal last season. Other than that, I have to admit that their teams are stacked with better talent than Inter.
If brentford can do it… 🙂 cheer up. There were a lot of possitives from todays game. Forza Inter
Esposito The JellyLegs
his heading ability is worse
He seriously need to learn how to keep his cool and just place his shots. He’s not Lautaro who can be forgiven for missing chances because he contributes with more goals overall but fir him he must know he can’t keep miss chance after chance.The only way he can get better is by playing and make sure he contribute in other way rather than falling down on almost every occasion because if he can lay off his touches to his teammates similar to Lukaku he will create a lot of scoring opportunities but he doesn’t do it which makes the buildup rather very slow depending if the ref gives a foul. However Bony is way better all round modern forward player with different style which actually benefits the team
we severely underestimated these Genghis Khan looking Asians
are they monghols? where are they from??
Certainly you don’t. They win in terms of speed and physical.
where are they form?
are they asians or mоngоls? if asians, why are they playing in CL?? LOL
Good question…
dimarco getting tired so bad
Hope Mkhitaryan’s recovery goes as fast as possible.
Zelinsky might be good for Verona but not good enough for CL.
Man, Dumfries is abysmal tonight.
Serie a teams CAN’T PLAY…
Almost everyone was playing the match as if it’s already won EXCEPT Lautaro who despite being someone who misses a lot he always wants to score and he often does
Zeliensky you mediocre nob head
what happen with this site?? my comments always get message “… awaiting moderation.”
Kairat are highly motivated in this competition. Look! they like fatigueless. Please, Inter, don’t stupidly play with the ball in our defensive area.
as i know, their domestic league has ended already, and they go all-in in CL therefore
If Inter can score two more goals and not concede, Inter would be first place after 4 rounds. I know we’ve only faced mediocre teams, but at least the team is scoring a lot of goals and have conceded only once (so far). All of that while being extremely wasteful.
To me, Bonny is inter’s best player…
So far this season, I agree. Thuram being a close second. Calhanoglu and Dimarco seem to be getting back to their best too. Sucic has been a pleasant surprise as well.
The next games are vs Liverpool, Arsenal, Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, so they better win this one tonight. lol
Easy peasy
If I’m being optimistic, I’d say that Inter might get 6 points out of 12 possible. Realistically, I would be happy with 4 points. Last season, 16 points got you into top 8, so that would be perfect. Anything above 6 points I would be over the moon but not counting on it.
at least we should win half of them if we are worth this competition.
They’ll most likely lose all four if that’s the case.. Serie a teams CAN’T PLAY….
Hey, we weren’t counting on Inter beating Bayern and Barca (to teams from far superior leagues that can play) and not even losing the away game, while scoring 7 on Barca and 4 on Bayern, but it happened. You never know, Inter might have yet another deep run that shatters your made up reality and you’ll show your face again on literally the last day of the season to claim that you were right all along.
Whatever man… Serie a teams CAN’T PLAY
And yeah.. I’m often right…
If you were right, then there was no way a team full of veterans could ever make it to a CL final, let alone two. Inter might have gotten humiliated in the most important game last season, but that doesn’t mean that Inter did not tie against City at the Etihad and beat Arsenal, Bayern, and Barcelona on their way to the final. Against all odds, and silencing haters like you all season long. You might think its luck, and I would agree with you if it only happened once. But it happened twice, the journey to the 2025 final was amazing and would be impossible if Serie A teams COULDN”T PLAY and if management was actually daft for only signing old players on the cheap. I know it hurts since reality completely eviscerates your weak narrative.
There’s a big risk Inter draw this match even tho they have all it takes to win it. Why not try to score another goal and kill the match WTF
Bonny plays like Ana attacking midfielder. He’s extremely intelligent on the ball. He can be a great false 9 if used properly
Before the game I thought we would get to see Luiz and Diouf. Man I was dead wrong.
Great strike from Augusto, and an assist for Pio!! Maybe get off the lads back a little bit now? Or did we honestly think he’d hit 30 goals in his debut season?
He has the potential. He needs to work on his physicality.
I don’t think he has potential apart from the fact that he is young and has time on his hands..
Yeah inter management is daft like you always said… using old man and never use young players. When we play our youngsters they have no potential only have their youth with them… that daft management, damn! If only our backroom staff is filled by people like you, maybe we could be like Barcelona right now.
You mean the Barcelona that Inter beat in the semis last year and that just tied against Club Brugge?
Well I guess that’s what comes with daftness… Inability to recognise one with common sense..
When I said Barcelona, what I mean is a team full of talented youngsters not like our team, with daft management, only have old man and talentless young player.
but I dont care, I support Inter since I know football (1997) and will continue to support them, through the banter era or through the daftness of management
No he needs to work on his control of the ball and the way his body moves when he either takes a shot or when he gets control of that ball. He’s still very has a heavy touch and lets he ball get away from him way too much, oh and falls over too easily.
Of course he needs to work- he’s 20!! But he’s already contributed more than Taremi, Arnautovic and Correa combined!! The lad will be a star!! As will Bonny!!
At 20, good players are already known in other leagues.. Sebastiano is better… Inter botched… Again… He can improve but he has lots of work to do… He’s a lucky chap really.. Already made appearances for Italy despite being so poor… It took Berardi and Orsolini years before they got a shot…
we desperately need dribbler in this team
Lookman would have been perfect for our tax bracket
Inter should search for another goal no other excuses not to do so.
Must Esposito slip or fall when he shoots? He does that ever so often…
his palms are sweaty, knees weak arms are heavy….there is vоmit on his jersey already, mom’s spaghetti….
He’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to DROP BOMBS, but he keeps on forgetting HOW TO STAND… LOL
Carlosss !!!!
How is Inter so damn wasteful. That is so frustrating.
Finallllyyy!!!!’
This game was needed for the coach and fans to leant that Barella is not a good Chala replacement.
that’s what happens when you underestimate your opponent. Their team looks way faster
Esposito needs to be subbed and loaned out
Genoa material tbh
Lool
Don’t you start!! lol! He’s young… he’ll learn from this, and he’s just bagged an assist!!
You need to be more realistic he is 4th in the pecking order, if he is loaned out you can expect the level of correa and arnatovic to be his replacement. We’re lucky our fourth string striker can start at all.
Taking off Fra over Zelinski?!
Sucic!! thank God!!
why Esposito always falling like his legs are made of jelly???
He’s always getting dragged and pulled.
Ooh you’ve noticed it too right?
what bisseck and dumfries doing. just watching the header
Defence fell asleep
It was DeVrij losing the ball
There is no one person to blame for this blunder. Stop searching for black sheep
Wow!! Amateur defending at best, and yet again, Sommer does his best ‘stand there and watch it go in’ Handanovic impression….
No chance for Sommer
that’s a trademark Handa-style standing… Only Inter has this iconic style in the world
Esposito can’t be in this game ffs
Yeah sommer i bet ur gaze will stop the ball from going in
What exactly was he suppose to do?? Man sometimes smh
This one is on Sommer. He should heve collect a ball while it was in the air
their Number 9 looks good man
Fully deserved Inter were playing with fire all match long with one stupid decision after the other
Everyone just ball watching
Ffs
Nobody bothered to challenge
How is Barella manage to mess up the crosses?
Defence was sleeping…
De Vrij is such a baller in defence, his calm persona is what Inter need every game; such a shame he’s not young anymore.
Shoot the damn ball your in the box.
What a save, nice try Pio
Unlucky Pio!! That was hit with Venom!! Great save!!
Pop needs to work on his technique and finishing. He’s still very young but he needs to improve and really quick.
I wish Sebastiano was given the same amount of opportunities at inter… He appears clumsy to me…
Correct decision- Lauti has his goal, so hopefully he’ll take some confidence into the Lazio game…. still want some midfield alterations soon….
F**k is he injured?!?!
I am a bit disappointed with Pio Esposito. Yes he is still very young and needs his time to integrate and gain experience, but I still expected more from him.
Frattesi should have been sold, he can score some goals but his tactical intelligence is low, so he is not suitable for high-level football.
Since Roma wanted him, maybe they might be open to get him and some cash in exchange for Manu Kone.
Careful…. I said I didn’t think he was ready yet, and got called toxic. You said he might never be good enough
De Vrij completely lost track of the ball after the first header. Oh well…
omfg. takes us 12 attempts to score 1 freaking goal.
great hustle by lautaro to grab the goal.
Numbers don’t lie Inter have bad finishers. Why everyone just keeps blasting it over the direction of the goal and hope for the best. I think Chivu needs to give the team some confidence and change the midfield as it’s not working in some ways and Thuram needs to come on for Lautaro to give him a rest as he got his goal. Pio isn’t a good finisher as well but better to have him score some goals in CL while resting Lautaro for Lazio
Wasting a lot of scoring chances is our biggest issue and it lost us the Scudetto last season. If they don’t fix it a bit, we might end up in the same situation this season as well.
That wasn’t scored but it was relentlessly forced in.Lol Please for the next goals just score normally
“Goal is a goal, even if you score with you peepee”.
-My coach 15 years go
We’re losing the battle in midfield…. Zielinski is too lightweight, and Frattesi just doesn’t have the technique or the footballing IQ…. Sucic needs to come on at half time!! That said…. Goooaaalll!!! At last!!! Just about!! lol
don’t forget my goat and saviour Asllani
Fratessi is invisible against a Kazakh team. Why does he then think is entitled to more playing time?
Damn, Chelsea got themselves a new top young talent. And finaly one ball enter
ok
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
LAUTAROOOOOO
Zelinsky is not an Inter material
dumfries seem tired. not as usual
kairat has had 9 goals scored against them this CL. 7 of the goals were scored against them in the second half. If Inter hasn’t scored against them in the first half it’s not a big deal.
Zeliebsky is frustratingly mid…
Lack of dribblers is a shining star in this game. I put the full blame on Inzaghi for keeping this basic formation for so many years and ruining our game. We lack pace and dribblers. Hopefully Chivu can change this trash play style in the coming years.
It’s coming from Conte days. Players are scared of dribbling the ball pass their defender, it’s weird.
Yup unfortunately
Trio Fratessi, Zielinski, Barella didnt work
Inter need to get their shooting boots on. All these long shots are garbage. We either need Chala or Sucic in this game.
I like the fact that they play a normal game and don’t park the bus.
It’s getting annoying. WHY can’t someone take a second touch and shoot properly. WHY
Another example of bisseck unable to do the basic things…yet he’s the “future”
FML
Bro get a cat
Akanji’s centarshots weren’t that much better, but defensively immensely better than before.
The ability to keep a cool head…. priceless.
And this is why Fratessi isn’t in starting lineup anymore.
Neither were dives, but neither were penalties…. and to be honest, without Hakan on the pitch, we probably don’t want a penalty anyway!!!
That is so true. 100% agree
not a penalty to me
BISSEK SUPREMACY!!!
So the corruption bleeds into Europe as well then
No that was just soft
That’s less of a pen – Bisseck sticks his leg onto the defender….justice I suppose
There was a touch, but not enough for a penalty. Even this is on the edge
come on fratessi. you are better than that.
He got clipped mate they showed the angle stone wall penalty…
and he definitely make full use of the touch rather than playing the ball. if it happened against us, we would be crying that it is weak call for penalty.
Weird no-reaction by Chala
This is a win for sure; however, Lautaro and Esposito keep missing open goals. Very poor finishing from both.
Poor touch from Pio Esposito.. First touch needs to improve… I feel Sebastiano is better still…
Bissek supremacy!
Truly those couple of good games as ccb gave him stability and security in defense
I hope Fratessi does well tonight. Maybe he’ll do better on the right now that Barella is CDM.
So far in the Champions League: Tottenham dropped points against Bodo/Glimpt and Monaco, Liverpool lost to Galatasaray, and Chelsea is tied against Qarabag. Imagine if Inter had dropped points against these teams the way that the aforementioned PL teams did. We would have all of the “realist supporters” claiming that Inter is nothing but an average team.
Honestly bro, just don’t rise to them… leave them to their sad little lives….
anyone following Qarabag? I’m sure they’ll make a meal of Napoli. what a team!!
Their ccb and lwb great players.
Anyway, let’s spank Kairat and keep a clean sheet, Forza Inter!
Let’s get Ourselves a good win tonight, especially as we seem to be the only Italian club getting any coefficient points for Serie A!!! Absolutely pitiful from Napoli and Juve, Again!!!
Let’s Gooooooo!!!!!
I don’t know about Juve, but it seems to me that Conte wants an early exit from the Champions League to focus on Serie A only, which is absolute cowardice and a shame to Serie A (lack of coefficient points).
unbelievably cowardice bro.. the best scenario would be for them sacrificing ucl only to lose serie a also. on a side note its important we beat milan cos they genuinely are the most consistent team without europe in serie a
Exactly!! Every coefficient point counts, but Conte is completely incapable of competing on multiple fronts… Most Overrated manager in history!!