Inter Milan Face Venezia with Patchwork Squad
Serie A leaders Inter Milan travel to Venice with their lineup stretched thin by a string of injuries. With pressure mounting in the league, Simone Inzaghi’s side must improvise as several first-team regulars are sidelined. Marcus Thuram, who has banged in 12 goals this campaign, remains sidelined and his absence headlines a lengthy injury list. Fellow attackers Joaquin Correa is also unavailable, leaving Lautaro Martinez likely to shoulder the scoring duties up front, possibly alongside new signing Mehdi Taremi.
Midfield dynamo Hakan Calhanoglu faces a late fitness test, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will watch from the stands with a thigh issue. In defense, experienced center-back Francesco Acerbi looks unlikely to make the squad, while Yann Bisseck—showing great promise this season—won’t feature either. The silver lining? Benjamin Pavard might return to the heart of defense, where his experience and ball-playing ability are sorely needed as Inter reshuffle their backline. Yann Sommer, ever-reliable between the sticks, will be the last line of defense.
Venezia's Struggles and Stankovic's Unique Challenge
On the other side of the pitch, Venezia are no strangers to adversity. Their own casualty list features key figures: Michael Svoboda and Ridgeciano Haps are out, with Alfred Duncan and Domen Crnigoj also missing. The biggest talking point? On-loan keeper Filip Stankovic will face his parent club. If you’re imagining the nerves, you’re not alone. Stankovic’s performance could well decide how long the hosts stay competitive in this fixture.
In defense, Jay Idzes, Domenico Altare, and Marin Sverko are likely to line up ahead of Stankovic, with the attacking hopes pinned on Joel Pohjanpalo and Christian Yeboah. Venezia also sweat over the fitness of Gaetano Oristanio, another player with an Inter connection, whose creativity could make a difference if fit enough to play.
Despite the chaos caused by injuries for both sides, the general mood is that Inter's deep squad should carry enough firepower to get the job done—even without several mainstays. Their options in reserve, particularly with someone like Martinez up top, still look formidable for a Venezia team facing a step up in class.
Bookmakers and pundits are not shy about backing Inter here. The gap in squad quality—especially up front—points toward a comfortable away win, with most predicting something like a 3-0 result for the Nerazzurri. For Inter, the biggest question isn’t just about three points, but how they manage resources and keep momentum while core players nurse injuries. For Venezia, an upset would require a near-perfect performance, hinging on their depleted lineup punching well above their weight.
Post Comments (16)
Inter’s injury list underscores the importance of squad depth, especially with Thuram and Correa sidelined; the club will need to rely on Martinez and the new signing Taremi to maintain attacking potency.
The sheer number of absentees is a disaster for Inter – they can’t afford to limp out of Venice without a fight, and the bench must step up now.
From a tactical standpoint, Inzaghi’s rotation policy will be put to the test; leveraging the squad’s utility players can mitigate the loss of key midfield engines like Calhanoglu while preserving formation integrity.
It is evident that the injury crisis has forced Inter to reevaluate their strategic approach for the upcoming fixture in Venice and the coaching staff must now devise a game plan that accommodates the depleted roster and maximizes the contributions of available personnel. The absence of Thuram deprives the side of a critical goal‑scoring outlet on the left flank and puts additional pressure on Martinez to deliver in the final third. Likewise, Correa’s unavailability narrows creative options in midfield, compelling Inzaghi to perhaps shift to a more compact 4‑3‑3 system. Calhanoglu’s late fitness test adds another variable; if he is cleared he could provide the much‑needed link between defence and attack, but the risk of re‑injury remains high. Pavard’s potential return offers a glimmer of hope for the back line, as his ball‑playing center‑back abilities could help in building from the back despite the lack of Acerbi. The defensive unit will likely need to operate as a cohesive unit, with Sommer anchoring the goal and the centre‑backs relying on coordinated pressing to compensate for reduced individual experience. In terms of midfield, the squad might lean on more dynamic players who can cover greater ground, ensuring that transitions are swift and that the team maintains a high work‑rate throughout the match. The attackers left on the pitch, primarily Martinez and the newly acquired Taremi, will have to shoulder the goal‑scoring burden, and their chemistry will be critical for extracting points. While Venezia’s roster is also thinned, Inter’s depth should theoretically allow them to outmatch the host side, provided the substitutes are mentally prepared to step into a high‑pressure environment. The psychological aspect cannot be ignored; the players must remain focused and not be intimidated by the venue or the opponent’s resilience. Moreover, the tactical flexibility offered by the bench could be the decisive factor in neutralizing any momentum that Venezia attempts to build. Ultimately, this match serves as a litmus test for Inter’s resilience and adaptability under duress, and the outcome will heavily influence their confidence heading into the next phase of the season. The coaching staff’s ability to communicate clear instructions and adjust tactics on the fly will be essential for navigating the challenges presented by the current injury list. In summary, while the injury list is extensive, Inter possesses the resources to compete effectively if they execute a disciplined, collective effort.
Wow, the line‑up looks shaky but Inter’s bench is stacked – can’t wait to see who steps up and lights up the scoreboard in Venice!
Benjamin Pavard’s possible return could shore up the defence; his experience with ball distribution will be valuable, especially with Acerbi out.
When a nation’s pride is on the line, every player must give his all – the Inter faithful deserve nothing less than a fierce display of resilience.
Inter’s depth is 🔥, hope Pavard cracks the starting XI and we see some solid defending! 😎
Looking at the injury list, it’s clear both clubs will need to rely on squad depth; it’ll be a battle of who can adapt faster 😁
Totally agree – whoever can keep the tempo up and stay compact will probably walk away with the three points.
Inter needs a solid backline; Pavard is key.
Given the current injuries, deploying a back three could provide more stability and allow full‑backs to push higher up the pitch.
nice analysis but i think inter will still win thanks to the squad depth lol
That optimistic take ignores the harsh reality – missing key players means Inter is barely a shadow of its former self.
Can't wait to see who fills the gaps! 😅
When clubs prioritize profit over player health, the sport loses its integrity and fans deserve better.