Serie A official line-ups: Inter vs. Cagliari
Inter aim to consolidate their Serie A leadership against a Cagliari side hoping to avoid relegation, as it’s a battle of the Esposito brothers at San Siro.
It kicks off at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at 19.45 UK time (18.45 CEST).
These fixtures are being played today because Inter and Como will then face off in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday.
The Nerazzurri are fresh from a thrilling 4-3 victory over Como that sent them nine points clear at the top of the Serie A table, as rivals Napoli and Milan stumbled.
Now they face a very different challenge from a Cagliari side that is hovering just above the relegation zone.
Cristian Chivu has limited choices, because Alessandro Bastoni joined Lautaro Martinez and Yann Bisseck on the injury list, while Petar Sucic is suspended.
Some squad rotation is to be expected ahead of that Coppa Italia clash, but Marcus Thuram is partnered by Francesco Pio Esposito rather than Ange-Yoan Bonny.
It is a very special occasion, because Cagliari are starting Sebastiano Esposito, the older sibling in a football family with three brothers who all play professionally.
Stefan de Vrij and Carlos Augusto pad out the defence, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and goalkeeper Josep Martinez stepping in.
Cagliari had been in a total crisis that saw them slide down the table back into the danger zone after four consecutive defeats, but the 1-0 win against Cremonese gave them a six-point buffer zone.
It’s not enough to feel comfortable, though, so they’ll come out fighting for every precious point at San Siro.
Leonardo Pavoletti has a knee issue and Luca Mazzitelli suffered a calf strain, while Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici are long-term absentees with torn ACLs.
Turkish talent Semih Kilicsoy therefore supports Sebastiano Esposito, while veteran Yerry Mina hopes to harass opponents.
Marco Palestra has been linked with a potential move to Inter, so will be eager to impress at right wing-back.
Inter vs. Cagliari official line-ups
Inter: Martinez; Akanji, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Pio Esposito
Cagliari: Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Obert; Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Sulemana, J Rodriguez; Borrelli, S Esposito
