Inter vs Bologna line-ups: Lautaro starts as Chivu rotates heavily

Inter go into their final Serie A match with the title already secured, and Cristian Chivu has taken the expected route by changing plenty. Lautaro Martínez still starts, though, which keeps the focus on his Capocannoniere chase and on getting him back to full match fitness. He lines up alongside Francesco Pio Esposito up front.

Why Lautaro stays in the XI

The cleanest read here is that this is not a ceremonial run-out. Chivu has released Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Manuel Akanji, Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries for the final match because they will be participating in the World Cup. Lautaro is the exception, and the reason is explicit: he wants to consolidate his Capocannoniere status and also regain match fitness after a period of injury.

That decision makes sense on the numbers as much as the narrative. Lautaro has 17 Serie A goals in 29 league appearances, and 24 goals across the competitions listed in the brief. For a team that has already finished first with 86 points from 37 matches, 27 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats, keeping your best forward involved is a practical choice.

Pio Esposito gets the other spot because he has earned it too. His 33 league appearances, six goals and three assists give Inter an actual attacking option, not just a warm body for a dead rubber.

Bologna's attack has its own angle

Bologna finish eighth on 55 points, so the game is not carrying European stakes for them. Still, their line-up has a few names worth watching. Santiago Castro and Jonathan Rowe start in attack, with Federico Bernardeschi also in the front three.

Rowe's inclusion is the part that will draw the most attention. The brief says he is attracting transfer interest, and his 26 league appearances, three goals, two assists and 6.79 rating make this look like a useful late-season showcase.

There is no need to overplay the broader context beyond that. The title is done, Inter are rotating, and Lautaro is still there for a reason. Bologna's selection keeps the match competitive enough to matter, but the sharper storyline is the one at the top of the pitch.