Inter Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic To Miss Coppa Italia Match Vs Empoli Due To Suspension, Italian Media Report | OneFootball

Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic will be out of this evening’s Coppa Italia clash with Empoli through suspension.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, who note that this will be the first match without the Croat for the Nerazzurri and predict that Roberto Gagliardini will take his place.

Brozovic has proven to be one of Inter’s most indispensable players this campaign, having played in every one of the team’s matches and played an important tactical role in coach Simone Inzaghi’s system.

However, the 29-year-old has a suspension in the Coppa which carries over from an accumulation of yellow cards, and the coach will have to build his team without his trusted midfielder for the first time this campaign.

Nicolo Barella has generally taken up the deep midfield role occupied by Brozovic when the Croat has come off as a substitute this season, but the 24-year-old could also be rested for this match, and it looks likelier that Gagliardini will occupy the role.

The 27-year-old former Atalanta midfielder has different characteristics from either Brozovic or Barella, and his inclusion will be a test for how the coach can cope tactically with a different profile of player in front of the defense.

Brozovic, who is expected to officially extend his contract with the Nerazzurri this month, is also now one booking away from suspension in Serie A following his yellow card against Atalanta on Sunday.

Inzaghi could once again face the prospect of missing the 29-year-old for a potentially crucial match, and it could be seen how the team functions with him in and out of the team for the first time this season.