Inter are preparing to host Club Brugge for their first Champions League match at home, with a probable lineup that sees captain Cristian Chivu in attack together with Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram. Coach Ivan Leko, who has already led Inter in several European competitions, has chosen a 3-5-2 structure that favors defensive solidity and creativity in midfield.
In midfield, Leko decided to give space to Zielinski and Barella on either side of Calhanoglu, with Diouf and Dimarco playing on the flanks. In defense the coach opted for Bastoni, Akanji and Bisseck, with Martinez acting as offensive support. The choice to keep Chivu at the forefront was motivated by his experience and his role as a leader, while the presence of Lautaro and Thuram should guarantee a dynamic attack capable of exploiting opportunities.
As for Club Brugge, the Belgian team established a 4‑3‑3 formation with Yann Sommer in goal, Sabbe, Lee Han‑beom, Machele and Seys in defense, and Potts, Vanaken and Vetlesen in midfield. The Belgian coach has foreseen Forbs and Tresoldi in attack, with Virgili who could replace Leko in case of unavailability. However, the final decision on Forbs will be made shortly before the start of the match, leaving open the possibility of inserting Lemaréchal as a substitute in attack.
The match, which takes place in Milan, is particularly significant for Inter, which seeks to consolidate its position in the group stage of the Champions League. The German coach underlined the importance of maintaining the defensive structure, especially considering the experience of Sommer, who had an excellent start to the season in Belgium following his move from Inter. Inter, with their combination of experience and youth, aim to exploit their familiarity with the European format to achieve a positive result at home.