Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Francesco Pio Esposito and Petar Sučić in tonight’s 2025/2026 Serie A Round 9 match against Fiorentina.
Tonight’s match will kick off at San Siro at 20:45 local time (19:45 BST). Inter are also looking to bounce back from a demoralizing 3-1 defeat against Napoli on Saturday.
In fact, Inter’s impressive seven-game winning streak in all competitions came to an end last weekend.
The visiting team, on the other hand, are yet to taste victory in Serie A this season, picking up just four points from the first eight matches.
Kivu have almost a full squad, with Marcus Thuram still recovering from a muscle problem.
The French forward Aiming to return for a trip to Hellas Verona next weekend.
Inter Milan vs. Fiorentina – Pio Esposito joins Lautaro Martinez in attack
All eyes will be on Inter’s attack. Francesco Pio Esposito He will team up with Lautaro Martinez.
The 20-year-old Italian striker, who impressed with his power and movement at the start of the season, is likely to leave. ange yoann bonny.
Despite scoring in back-to-back league starts, the Frenchman slumped at Napoli. Therefore, Esposito will take his place tonight.
Chivu therefore continues to show faith in the young forward and will partner Lautaro Martínez from the first whistle.
Lautaro, on the other hand, will leave in order to end his scoring drought in Serie A. His last league goal was back in early October.
In fact, the Argentine last scored in a 4-1 win against Cremonese on October 4, and since then he has failed to score in two consecutive league games.
With Bony relegated to the bench, Pio Esposito will be aiming for his first Serie A goal at the San Siro.
Inter Milan vs. Fiorentina – Petar Sučić replaces Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Elsewhere, Cristian Chivu has opted for continuity across the pitch, continuing to rely on the same structure that has brought him recent success.
Jan Sommer started behind the goal in a slightly modified back three. In fact, Jan Bisek is set to be signed ahead of Francesco Acerbi, alongside Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni.
On the wings, Denzel Dumfries and Federico DiMarco will spread the width and support the attack.
In midfield, Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu form a balanced duo, tasked with setting the tempo and supporting two-way transitions.
However, Inter lost veteran midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan to injury at the Maradona Stadium.
The absence of 36-year-old Petar Sučić means he will return to the starting line-up for the first time since Inter’s 2-1 home win over Sassuolo.
As a result, Piotr Zielinski, who did not impress against Napoli, started on the bench again.
Official starting line-up – Inter Milan vs. Fiorentina: Esposito and Sučić return to the starting lineup
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer. Akanji, Bisek, Bastoni. Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sučić, Dimarco. Esposito, Lautaro.
Bench: Calligaris, Tajo, De Vrij, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Luis Enrique, Zielinski, Frattesi, Diouf, Bony.
Coach: Chiv.
Pause: None.
Fiorentina (3-5-2): De Gea. Comuzzo, Pablo Mari, Viti. Dodo, Ndur, Mandragora, Soum, Gosens. Gudamundsson, Keene.
Bench: Rezzellini, Martinelli, Ranieri, Pongracic, Fortini, Parisi, Quadio, Nicollussi Cabiria, Fagioli, Richardson, Fazzini, Piccoli, Dzeko.
Director: Pioli.
Pause: None.
Referee: Sozza.
His assistants are Costanzo and Passelli.
Fourth official: Furneau.
Var: Gersini.
Avar: Siffi.
