Sebastiano Esposito Likely To Play For Inter In Serie A Opener Against Lecce | OneFootball

Sebastiano Esposito is likely to feature in Inter’s first Serie A fixture against Lecce, according to Gazzetta dello Sport’s online edition.

Antonio Conte will oversee his first competitive match in charge of the Nerazzurri at San Siro on 26 August.

But Romelu Lukaku will only have 50-60 minutes in his legs having arrived late for preseason, while Lautaro Martinez is also down on fitness after playing for Argentina in the Copa America.

GdS did not clarify whether Conte was considering starting Esposito or bringing him on as a substitute, simply reporting the 17-year-old was expected to get ‘significant game time’.

Inter will not be at full strength for their league debut in two weeks due to a series of injuries and delayed activity in the transfer market.

Conte has little option but to manage his players’ energy levels and will need to rely upon Esposito and Matteo Politano at some stage.

Esposito enjoyed a successful preseason after Inter’s striker shortage gave him ample opportunity to play for the first team.

The teenager has a ‘special relationship’ with Conte and is now in line to make his second first-team appearance for Inter, having debuted in last season’s Europa League fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt.