A series of injuries, suspensions and overloads means that Inter could rest several key players for the upcoming Serie A match against Hellas Verona on Saturday in preparation for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Inter and Barcelona are currently level at 3-3 at the midway stage of their Champions League semi-final tie. Goals came from Marcus Thuram, Denzel Dumfries, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and a Yann Sommer own goal on Wednesday night.
Before the second leg, both Inter and Barcelona will be involved in league action, against Verona and Valladolid respectively, and both could rest a number of key first-team players.
For Inter, there could be a series of changes at the back. Reports suggest that Stefan De Vrij, who did not start against Barcelona on Wednesday, is the only guaranteed starter in the defensive line. Either Yann Bisseck or Matteo Darmian could start to his right, and either Carlos Augusto or Alessandro Bastoni to his left.
Hakan Calhanoglu is suspended , as is head coach Simone Inzaghi, which means that they will both have to sit out of the upcoming Verona match. Kristjan Asllani is expected to deputise for the Turk in midfield, likely with Davide Frattesi and Piotr Zielinski. If that is the case, then all three of the starting midfielders from Barcelona-Inter will be given a rest.
Calciomercato.com reports that Joaquin Correa is the only player guaranteed to start up front against Verona. Lautaro Martinez is injured and expected to miss the Barcelona second leg, while Marcus Thuram could also be given a rest against Verona.
That means that it will likely be Correa and either Marko Arnautovic or Mehdi Taremi up front in Serie A on Saturday.
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