As Inter Milan heads into their Coppa Italia round of 16 match against Udinese at the San Siro, the team looks to use the opportunity to test new lineups and evaluate players who could play pivotal roles in the near future. Coach Simone Inzaghi is implementing several experimental changes in what is expected to be a crucial match for squad depth and player evaluations.
Key Lineup Changes
Inter will see two significant debuts during the match. In goal, Josep Martinez, signed from Genoa for €13.5 million on a contract running until 2029, will make his first start. The Spanish keeper, born in 1998, has a chance to showcase his potential as a long-term successor to Yann Sommer, whose contract extends until 2026.
In defense, Yann Bisseck, the 23-year-old German, is set to start in central defense. This match is critical for Bisseck as he looks to prove himself a worthy successor to Francesco Acerbi, whose contract includes a potential early termination clause at the end of this season.
The midfield and attack will also see significant changes. Tajon Buchanan, the Canadian international acquired from Club Brugge for €7.3 million, is expected to make his first start. Buchanan’s inclusion is timely as Inter continues to adapt to squad injuries and rotational needs.
In attack, Mehdi Taremi, who seeks redemption after a subpar start to the season, will partner with Marko Arnautovic. Both forwards have expiring contracts, making this game a crucial test for their futures at the club. Joaquin Correa is poised to provide reinforcement later in the match.
Rest and Recovery
To balance the rigorous schedule, several key players, including Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries, Federico Dimarco, Lautaro Martinez, and Marcus Thuram, will be rested. Kristjan Asllani is expected to start in midfield, stepping in for Hakan Calhanoglu, who will take a break on the bench. The Albanian international aims to solidify his place in a lineup already missing Nicolo Barella due to injury and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who will also be rested.
Market Implications
Inter’s strategy for this match is as much about immediate success as it is about long-term planning. The club’s recent acquisitions, such as Martinez, Buchanan, and Tomas Palacios, reflect their focus on building a younger, more versatile squad. Palacios, though not in the starting XI, remains an exciting prospect and is expected to feature prominently in the near future.
Additionally, the club must decide on the futures of several players with expiring contracts, including Arnautovic and Correa, who will need standout performances to secure extensions or new deals elsewhere.
Probable Lineup
Formation (3-5-2):
- Goalkeeper: Martinez
- Defense: Darmian, Bisseck, Bastoni
- Midfield: Buchanan, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Carlos Augusto
- Attack: Arnautovic, Taremi
The Stakes
With a dominant domestic and European campaign so far, Inter is keen to maintain momentum while using this Coppa Italia fixture to assess their depth. A victory would not only advance the Nerazzurri to the quarterfinals but also offer crucial insights into the readiness of their newer and younger players.