Italy Duo Vying To Return To Inter Milan Starting Lineup For Top-Of-Table Serie A Showdown Vs Napoli | OneFootball

Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi are vying to return to the Inter Milan starting eleven against Napoli.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the Italian international duo should start if in top condition.

On Wednesday against Arsenal, Stefan de Vrij and Yann Bisseck started in Inter’s back three.

Moreover, they both saw out the entire match.

Neither Acerbi nor Bastoni came on as substitutes, despite both being available on the bench and both being part of Inter’s first-choice starting eleven.

The reason for the two absences was partly fitness-related.

In Acerbi’s case, the 36-year-old is coming back from a thigh strain.

That as seen de Vrij start Inter’s last few matches.

And Bastoni had suffered cramp in Inter’s Serie A win over Venezia last weekend. Therefore, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi decided to leave him out against Arsenal.

Bastoni & Acerbi Vying To Start For Inter Vs Napoli

According to the Gazzetta, Inzaghi’s intention was to keep both Acerbi and Bastoni fresh to start against Napoli.

Therefore, the only question is whether or not they will be in top physical condition for the match.

In Acerbi’s case, the Italian international is certainly the favourite to start. De Vrij has had a tough run of matches, and could himself be showing signs of fatigue.

And on the left of the backline, it’s just a question of whether Bastoni is at his sharpest.

If he is, then there is no doubt that the 25-year-old will start on Sunday.

That will mean Yann Bisseck drops to the bench despite a very impressive performance in the starting eleven on Wednesday.

The Gazzetta’s complete predicted Inter starting eleven for Sunday’s match is as follows:

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro.