Juventus-Inter, Cristian Chivu has something new in mind for Turin

Saturday afternoon at the Stadium will most likely see an Inter team with a conservative profile. But in what sense? Barring any surprises the starting eleven should not deviate too much from last season’s, with only one certain change and, at most, two.

The group was only full yesterday, after the return of the national team. The only one doing light work was Lautaro, who returned late from Argentina, but his presence alongside Thuram is not in question. The most likely change concerns the defense: Akanji looks set to take Bisseck’s place alongside Acerbi and Bastoni, with his speed and experience deemed useful in containing the Bianconeri attack.

In midfield, the certainties are called Barella and Calhanoglu, while the ballot between Mkhitaryan and Sucic remains open: for now, the possibilities are balanced. Diouf and Frattesi, tried at length in the past two weeks, should instead represent solutions to be inserted in the race in progress. On the lanes, Dimarco and Dumfries remain untouchable.

The starting form will still be the 3-5-2, a guarantee of balance and continuity. The choice reflects the importance of the challenge: on the third day Inter is already called upon to chase, three points behind Juve and the weight of the home defeat to Udinese. Better therefore to rely on certainties, leaving novelties as weapons to be played in the game in progress.