Chivu reshapes Inter: Thuram leads the line, Diouf and Sucic behind him

Cristian Chivu is preparing a different-looking Inter for the Milan derby. The indications regarding the lineup point towards Marcus Thuram as the sole attacking reference, supported centrally by Andy Diouf and Petar Sucic. It would be a change from the usual setup, placing the responsibility for leading the forward line on the Frenchman.

The changes also concern the wide areas. Djed Spence is expected to start on the right, while Carlos Augusto is ahead of Federico Dimarco on the opposite flank. The Brazilian would therefore be preferred to his teammate to complete the five-man line and provide attacking support down the left.

In midfield, Chivu is set to confirm the pairing of Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu. There are no expected surprises in defence, where Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni are listed in front of Josep Martínez, selected to guard the Nerazzurri goal.

The likely Inter lineup for the derby would therefore be Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Spence, Calhanoglu, Barella, Carlos Augusto; Diouf, Sucic; Thuram. The setup gives the Romanian coach two attacking midfielders behind the striker, with the wing-backs responsible for covering the full length of their respective flanks.