Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi against Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the 2025/2026 Champions League knockout playoff tie.
The official lineups for tonight’s Champions League match, which kicks off at 21.00 CET in Bodo, have been published.
Despite winning their opening four Champions League games under Cristian Chivu, Inter Milan failed to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase.
Therefore, the Nerazzurri continue their continental journey in the playoff round against surprise package Bodo/Glimt.
Furthermore, Cristian Chivu lost star midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu to injury following Saturday’s derby win over Juventus.
Therefore, the 45-year-old had to change his starting lineup tonight.
Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt – Francesco Acerbi Returns To Starting XI
Although he came under heavy scrutiny in the aftermath of the Derby d’Italia, Alessandro Bastoni has a guaranteed starting berth.
However, that doesn’t apply to Yann Bisseck, who surrenders his place to veteran star Francesco Acerbi.
Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji starts on the right side of Chivu’s traditional back three.
Indeed, the Italian veteran makes his third consecutive start in the Champions League. Acerbi started against Arsenal as well as against Borussia Dortmund.
Therefore, Stefan de Vrij starts from the bench again.
Inter Milan Vs Bodo/Glimt – Chivu Trusts Carlos Augusto
The main talking point comes on the left flank, where Carlos Augusto gets the nod ahead of in-form Federico Dimarco.
Despite his scintillating form, the Italian wingback desperately needs some rest amid a brutal fixture schedule.
Meanwhile, Matteo Darmian starts on the right wing at the expense of Luis Henrique.
As such, the Brazilian star returns to the starting lineup for the first time since late January.
Elsewhere, Petar Sucic returns to the engine room alongside Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Therefore, the Italian superstar takes Calhanoglu’s role as a deep-lying playmaker.
Finally, Lautaro Martinez and Francesco Pio Esposito lead the line, with Marcus Thuram dropping to the bench.
Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt – Official Starting Lineups: Augusto & Darmian Start
BODØ/GLIMT (4-3-3): Haikin; Sjøvold, Gundersen, Bjørtuft, Bjørkan; Fet, Berg, Evjen; Blomberg, Høgh (C), Hauge.
Bench: Lund, Sjong, Nielsen, Aleesami, Klynge, Auklend, Riisnæs, Saltnes, Mikkelsen, Bassi, Määttä, Helmersen.
Coach: Knutsen.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Bro Hansen.
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Sucic, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Esposito, Lautaro (C).
Bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, De Vrij, Bisseck, Luis Henrique, Dimarco, Bovo, Zielinski, Diouf, Bonny, Thuram.
Coach: Chivu.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Dumfries, Frattesi, Calhanoglu.
Referee: Siebert.
Assistants: Seidel and Foltyn.
Fourth official: Schlager.
VAR: Dingert.
Assistant VAR: Brisard.
I couldn’t watch the game yet again. But guys I’m not worried. I don’t even care that we lost. What I care about is that Milan draw against como. It feels like a happy day but don’t lose hope. Next week we can win against bodo. Don’t forget that many big teams has struggled against them so it’s fine. We are inter.
With Aniso they always score so we need 4 or more goals
Lord youngstar Darmian Omg
One thing to take note of this match is Bodo are terrible at defending crosses and we know a certain someone who can spam crosses with every touch. If it were 2 goals against Barca or Real Madrid then I’d be worried but Inter can overturn this if they wish to do so.
For me, Barella was the worst player. After him, it was Sučić, and then Bastoni — especially in that moment when Augusto many times was ready to cut inside, but Bastoni just played a back pass instead.
Sučić and Barrela often pushed forward without paying attention to his defensive duties. The midfield was left completely exposed, which led to many counterattacks.
Their players were facing our defenders directly, instead of being stopped by our midfielders first.
It was really frustrating to watch. There were too many stupid passes.
I was really impressed by Bodo players’s physicality. I don’t know if its the pitch, but IMO their speed, stamina, body balance, all better than us, that sometimes we look like amateur vs athletes.
I think we played this game muzzled to avoid injuries. that said I think we have the team to put 5 past them in Milan. have faith!!
Yeah, I also still confident we can at least force it into ET or penalties at home. It’s just my observation that Inter seems struggled to contend physically against Bodo.
We all saw it coming…
The fact chivu picked that team and couldn’t see what would happen is the most worrying aspect
+1
I think he did it intentionally. at this point in the season a big injury will finish our campaign. serie a is what we want. the ice and the plastic would be the recipe for a disastrous injury. it was written on the players faces that they rather play safe than go all out. which is far enough. I think we have the ammunition to win big at the san siro, if we can’t we would not deserve to be in the UCL anyway!!
Yes. To me you seem to be on to something – however Bodø Glimt has performed for a few years. Norwegian football has found the 1990s-form. They are also more rested only playing internal practice matches. The Norwegian league starts spring and ends autumn – the preseason should start at this time, for any team not playing continental football.
Plastic pitches are scary. If you aren’t adept at it, it feels like running on ice.
This match always worried me.
Hopefully this is the wakeup our players need. Traditionally, Inter need these reminders. Rediscovering that we aren’t invincible. It is like when driving a car, without any accident – you suddenly get a little shock, from something almost becoming an accident – reminding you to watch the road with more focus.
Better to lose these, rather than the finals…
well said
Don’t worry guys, we will thrash them next week. One will certainly lose games every now and then. It is better to lose a game in the UCL than in Serie A.
2 goals difference is huge advantage. Inter will feel pressure.
I think this was a ploy from chivu to show oaktree our bench strength.. hopefully some common sense will dawn in the summer.
3-1 is a bad scoreline. I dont understand why we dont play Diouf in rotation games, why persist with both Barella and Mhiki, (both cant shoot) and have had a average season. Diouf has looked decent in games recently and even Darmian gets a game?? Anyway im not going to criticise just yet, we’ll wait for the second leg outcome..
Not looking for excuses but how the f*ck is Bodo able to run 131+km on a syntetic pitch in the arctic cold. Difficult to hope with. There is a reason why all teams struggle.
But still a pathetic display from Inter..
We f****d up massive today.
I dont understand our offence play? Pass forward, pass back, shoot outside. So predictable.
Maybee a bit pessimistic but we dont get through
I hope Barella get a season ending injury. Can’t stand his guys, ruining our midfield every time he plays!!
Shut up
Wishing a serious injury on a player that gives his all is just retarded
Easy there muchacho
can we ban this guy for comments like this? wishing injury on our own players.