Serie A 2025-2026: Inter-Atalanta, the likely lineups

At 3 p.m. at San Siro, Serie A Saturday opens with the delicate challenge between Cristian Chivu’s Inter and Raffaele Palladino’s Atalanta. Both teams are coming from a complicated moment: the Nerazzurri must redeem the defeat in the derby with Milan, a result that has restored confidence to the Rossoneri, now at -7, in Scudetto perspective; the Orobici, who must leave behind the very heavy 1-6 suffered in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, will try to get crucial points in Europe

Repared to the stracittadina, Cristian Chivu has to give up some key players: in defense there will be no Bastoni, struggling with a shin injury, and in his place Carlos Augusto will play in the trio with Acerbi and Akanji; in midfield the absence of Calhanoglu will weigh heavily, while on the right flank the ballot between Dumfries and Luis Henrique remains open, with the Dutchman slightly favored. In attack Marcus Thuram returns from the first minute alongside young Pio Esposito, still out Lautaro Martinez.

Palladino also has to deal with some absences, notably those of De Ketelaere and Raspadori in the advanced department, while the call-up of Ederson remains in doubt, who could sit on the bench. The Nerazzurri coach is expected to revert to a three-man defense with Djimsiti in the center, while Bernasconi and Zappacosta will act on the outfields, with Samardzic and Zalewski in the three-quarter to support Scamacca’s only forward.

Probable lineups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, P. Esposito. All. Chivu.

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic. Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca. All. Palladino.