Official Starting Lineups – Royale Union SG Vs Inter Milan: Francesco Pio Esposito & Davide Frattesi Start
Marko Vrakela
BARI, ITALY - AUGUST 16: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
However, Chivu has more than one injury concern, with Marcus Thuram struggling with a thigh problem.
With the Frenchman unavailable for selection, the Nerazzurri boss has a decision to make.
Royale Union SG Vs Inter Milan – Pio Esposito Set For Second Champions League Start
MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale looks on during the Pre-season Friendly match between AC Monza and FC Internazionale at U-Power Stadium on August 12, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Firstly, the big team news ahead of the match is that Francesco Pio Esposito will make his second start in the Champions League.
Back at Inter after a phenomenal breakout season at Spezia, the 20-year-old is hoping to shine on the grandest stage.
Indeed, despite only scoring once in seven matches, the teenage striker has been nothing short of outstanding this term.
— Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (@UnionStGilloise) October 21, 2025
Meanwhile, the Italian center-forward failed to score in his first two Champions League appearances.
However, he is brimming with confidence after scoring his maiden goal for Italy during October’s international break.
With Lautaro desperately needing rest, tonight will be Esposito’s chance to demonstrate his well-documented potential.
Cristian Chivu Puts Faith in Davide Frattesi & Petar Sucic
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates Stefan de Vrij and Nicola Zalewski during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Another couple of pre-match question marks surrounded the midfield and the left-hand side.
Despite faring decently against Roma, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will drop to the bench. This means Piotr Zielinski starts in the middle of the park.
Furthermore, Nicolo Barella gets some much-needed rest.
Therefore, Davide Frattesi makes his first competitive start under Chivu.
Meanwhile, on the left-hand side, Carlos Augusto takes Federico Dimarco’s place. As a result, the Italian is benched. Alessandro Bastoni gets the nod in the starting XI.
In addition to Augusto, 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 – Royale Union SG vs Inter Milan: Pio Esposito Starts
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
UNION SG (3-5-2): 37 Scherpen; 48 Leysen, 16 Burgess (C), 5 Mac Allister; 22 Niang, 6 Van De Perre, 4 Rasmussen, 8 Zorgane, 25 Khalaili; 10 Ait El Hadj, 12 David, Bench: 1 Chambaere, 3 Barry, 11 Guilherme Smith, 13 Rodriguez, 17 Schoofs, 20 Giger, 23 Boufal, 26 Sykes, 27 Patris, 30 Florucz. Coach: Hubert. Suspended: none. Unavailable: none.
INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 31 Bisseck, 6 De Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries, 16 Frattesi, 20 Calhanoglu, 7 Zielinski, 30 Carlos Augusto; 10 Lautaro Martinez (C), 94 Pio Esposito. Bench: 13 J. Martinez, 40 Calligaris, 8 Sucic, 11 Luis Henrique, 14 Bonny, 15 Acerbi, 17 Diouf, 22 Mkhitaryan, 23 Barella, 25 Akanji, 32 Dimarco. Coach: Chivu. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Thuram, Di Gennaro, Darmian.
