Inter possible starting lineup vs Man City in the 2023 Champions League final

Simone Inzaghi has been using the same formula all season and is unlikely to pull any surprises in the final against City.

Inter Milan head into Saturday’s Champions League final intent on winning the trophy for the first time since 2010. In fact, they were the last Italian club to be crowned champions of Europe with Juventus ending as runners-up in 2015 and 2017.

Inter finished the season third in Serie A behind Napoli and Lazio so whatever happens in Istanbul on Saturday night, they will be guaranteed Champions League football next season. That’s not to suggest that they won’t be giving it their best shot against City. They have enjoyed a decent campaign in Europe and fully deserve to have made it this far.

During Simone Inzaghi’s short time in charge, Inter have shown themselves to be a rugged cup side, winning the Coppa Italia during the past two seasons, as well as the Supercoppa.

Domestically, Inter finished as the second top-scoring team in the top flight, averaging 1.86 goals per game - similar figures to the champions’, Napoli. At the back, they are organized and compact - as you would expect from any of the top Italian teams. They conceded a total of 42 goals in Serie A and whenever they did concede, it was predominantly just one or two goals. On five occasions did team manage to put three past them - Lazio, Udinese, Milan, Fiorentina and Napoli.

At the other end of the pitch, it’s pretty clear where their goals come from. Lautaro Martínez finished the season as the team’s top scorer with 21 goals, the second highest figure in Serie A. He’s followed by Romelu Lukaku with 10 and Edin Dzeko on nine with the two Nicolòs - Cambiaghi and Barella chipping in with six each.

Tried and tested system

Inzaghi has stuck with his preferred system of three central defenders with wing-backs for the duration of the season both domestically and in Europe. Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana has been a mainstay in the Champions League but it was veteran Samir Handanovic who started between the sticks in the league only to be replaced in Week 9 after a run of defeats.

Stefan de Vrij flitted in and out of the back three before suffering a back injury but he is available again. Inzaghi is expected to line up with his reliable backline of Matteo Darmian, Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi in front of Onana.

Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco out wide on either flank, supported by Barella, Mkhitaryan and Calhanoglu. Mkhitaryan is reported to have recovered from a thigh injury, Marcelo Brozovic is another option in the centre of the park.

Up front, strike pair Dzeko and Martínez will be looking for chinks in City’s armour.