Inter go into Inter vs Udinese with the bigger margin for error. They have taken 4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5 matches, scored 14 goals in that run, and arrive after a 3-2 comeback over Napoli and a 2-1 Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Hakan Calhanoglu, Yann Bisseck, Benjamin Pavard and Lautaro Martinez are all rested, so the focus is on how much turnover they can absorb without losing rhythm.

Udinese do not get to ease into this one. Football Italia reported that they are in the middle of an injury crisis, with Oumar Solet, Nicolò Zaniolo, Juan Arizala, Matteo Palma and Jakub Piotrowski all missing. Piotrowski was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia during the Lazio match and underwent ablation surgery today. That leaves a side that has won once, drawn once and lost three times in its last 5, while conceding 7 goals across those games.

Inter's rotation choices

The line-up changes are not cosmetic. Marcus Thuram starts again, and his 7.33 season rating is one reason Inter can keep faith with him in a rotated XI. Francesco Pio Esposito also comes in, with his 6.77 in his most recent league outing showing a forward still developing, but trusted enough for a San Siro start.

Football Italia's preview desk said: "Inter bring John Stones and Henrikh Mkhitaryan into the starting XI with Marcus Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito, but Udinese are in the middle of an injury crisis." It is a neat summary of the fixture. Inter are managing a heavy week, while Udinese are trying to cope with absences that cut into depth at exactly the wrong time.

Udinese's problems and San Siro memory

There is one wrinkle in Udinese's favour. They won at San Siro last season in Week 2, so this is not a ground that automatically scares them. Even so, the balance of this meeting is different. Inter's recent scoring has been steady, and Udinese's 7 goals conceded in their last 5 matches point to a side already stretched before the team news got worse.

Kick-off is at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →