In a highly anticipated clash, Serie A giants Inter Milan and Atalanta BC will meet in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final on Thursday. The two Lombard rivals will face off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the winner advancing to the final on Monday.
Reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan will look to defend their Supercoppa Italiana title, having won the competition for the last three seasons in a row.
The Nerazzurri are currently just one point behind league leaders Atalanta in the race for the Scudetto, making this a crucial meeting between two of Italy’s best teams.
Simone Inzaghi’s team will be without defensive duo Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbiwho were left in Milan.
However, Matthew Darmian has recovered from a knee injury and is expected to be on the roster. Inter’s starting line-up will likely be similar to the one that beat Cagliari in their last league match, with Marcus Thuram as partner captain. Lautaro Martinez at the front.
Atalanta, on the other hand, will miss their winger Juan Cuadradowho injured his thigh in his previous match.
The strikers Gianluca Scamacca and Mateo Retegui are also unavailable for the Bergamo-based club. However, Matteo Ruggeri could be fit to play a role in the semi-final, after recovering from a toe problem.
In the absence of Scamacca and Retegui, African Player of the Year 2024 Ademola Lookman should support Charles De Ketelaere in the Atalanta offensive formation.
Predicted starting lineup for Inter Milan: (3-5-2)
Sommer;
Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni;
Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco;
Martinez, Thuram
Atalanta BC predicted starting lineup: (3-4-2-1)
Meatballs;
Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac;
Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta;
Samardzic, Lookman;
From Ketelaere
Although Atalanta have been in impressive form recently, Inter’s experience in high-stakes matches could give them the edge in this semi-final. The Scudetto holders are likely to win a close encounter and qualify for the Supercoppa Italiana final.
