Here are the eleven that the Nerazzurri coach chose to field from 1′ in the Italian derby
Onana: he is now Inter’s starting goalkeeper. The Cameroonian goalkeeper was a great protagonist in the second leg against Porto and saved his side, also helped by the woodwork, taking them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League
Darmian: when called upon he always responds present. Started back in the hierarchies at the beginning of the season, he is now an irremovable piece in Simone Inzaghi’s tactical chessboard. Fifth, in the back three, for the former Torino player it makes no difference: he is always among the best on the pitch. At Do Dragao he felt a little tired but grit his teeth and remained on the field to defend the qualification
De Vrij: he has found little space this season (23 total appearances, many from the bench), but with Bastoni injured and a Skriniar not yet at 100%, the Nerazzurri coach has decided to rely on him in the delicate match against Juventus
Acerbi: the others stop, rest, but he is always one of the three centre-backs. Inzaghi, who wanted him after coaching him at Lazio, relies heavily on him. Always among the best, even in Porto, it is now a guarantee
Dumfries: fresh from the penalty against Spezia, he wasn’t doing very well against Porto, but with that save on the line he “expiated all his faults”
Barella: he’s not in his best form, but Inzaghi always puts him on the pitch when he’s available. The former Cagliari player has collected 34 overall appearances so far this season, enhanced by six goals and eight assists
Brozovic: He’s ready to take back his place in the control room after only coming on as a late substitute against Porto in the Champions League. Since he returned from the World Cup, Inzaghi has never used him as a starter for two consecutive times
Calhanoglu: undisputed director of the Nerazzurri maneuver, he knows how to do everything well. He runs, recovers balls, sorts, kicks on goal. With his baton he directs Inzaghi’s orchestra and even with the return of Brozovic the coach from Piacenza never takes him off the pitch
Dimarco: after returning from the injury, he’s still not 100%. Given Gosens’ calf problem, Inzaghi had to start him against Porto. On the pitch, as always, he gave everything but in the 70th minute, exhausted, he had to raise the white flag. Either way, on the left, it remains a factor with its crosses and perpetual motion
Lukaku: Big Rom, like a diesel, is fueling slowly. After a slow start and injuries that stopped him on several occasions, the Belgian forward is now there and making the difference: his goal broke the balance in the match at the Meazza against Porto, which later proved to be decisive in terms of qualification
Lautaro Martinez: if Lukaku grows, Toro, in the latest releases, is probably paying for the hardships of a really expensive season. He lacks lucidity in front of goal, but runs and crashes for the entire 90 ‘leaving everything on the pitch. At Juventus he scored three goals in 13 matches
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