Inter Milan predicted lineup for 2022-23 season

The Nerazzurri have made a couple of key additions to their side.

Inter Milan won the Serie A after 11 years in 2021-22 but failed to retain the title the next season, losing out to arch-rivals AC Milan by meagre two points. Manager Simone Inzaghi would like to rectify that the next season as Inter look for their 20th Scudetto. With the arrival of big names - the biggest being the return of Romelu Lukaku - Inter Milan are one of the favourites to win the league title.

Here is a look at how Inter Milan could line up in the 2022-23 season.

Andre Onana (Goalkeeper)

Andre Onana looks all set to take over the position of Inter’s first-choice goalkeeper. The Cameroonian joined on a free transfer from AFC Ajax. The 26-year-old is likely to take over the position held by veteran custodian Handanovic gradually. Onana has moved to Inter after staying at Ajax for over seven years. He had been Ajax’s first-choice goalkeeper for most of his stay, but lost that position to Steklenburg last season.

Alessandro Bastoni (Centre back)

Bastoni was a crucial cog of Inter’s defense last season and barring a move away from Inter, he looks set to retain his position in Inter’s starting XI. The Italian defender started 29 matches for Inter in the league last season. However, Bastoni’s future at the club remains uncertain with Tottenham being one of the major clubs who are eager to sign the defender. Inter would like to retain the services of the 23-year-old.

Stefan de Vrij (Centre back)

The centre of Inter’s back three will be occupied by Stefan de Vrij as has been the case for the last couple of seasons. The Dutchman joined the Italian club back in 2018 and has made over 100 appearances for the club, winning the Scudetto. The Dutch international made 28 starts for the club last season. De Vrij is going to be instrumental if Inter want to regain the league from their city rivals next season.

Milan Skriniar (Centre Back)

Skriniar is a natural centre-back with a no-nonsense approach. The defender is most likely to occupy the right side of Inter’s defensive three next season. The Slovakian international made 35 starts for Inter in the league last season. Known for his strong tackling, Skriniar has been worthy of interest for several clubs across Europe.

Denzel Dumfries (Right wing-back)

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi is known to play with two wingbacks in his system. Dumfries has made the right wing-back position in the Inter starting XI his own. The 26-year-old started 21 matches in that position for Inter last season. The Dutch international scored five league goals and further provided four assists. With such impressive numbers, he is all set to retain his position next season as well. However, Dumfries is also on the radar of several clubs from across the globe.

Nico Barella (Centre Midfield)

Barella is one of the stars of this Inter Milan team. The midfielder has been a constant presence in the Inter midfield since he joined the club in 2019. The 25-year-old made 36 starts in the league for Inter last season, missing just two games. The Italian international scored three times and provided 12 assists (the highest ever by an Inter Milan player in one season). Barella will be one of the first names in the team sheet for Inter in the upcoming season.

Marcelo Brozovic (Centre Midfield)

Brozovic has been part of Inter for a long-time now. The Croatian joined the Italian club back in 2015 and has since made more than 200 appearances for the Nerazzurri. The 29-year-old too was a familiar name in Inter’s starting XI last season, starting 35 games in the league. Known for his versatility in the midfield, the Croatian can play as a box-to-box midfielder and also as a deep-lying playmaker, both crucial aspects of Inter’s style of play.

Hakan Calhanoglu (Centre Midfield)

Calhanoglu’s position in the starting XI of Inter Milan is in doubt with the arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from AS Roma. However, it will be hard to keep the Turk out, specially after last season’s exploits. Hakan started 33 league games last season. He scored seven goals and further provided 12 assists (an Inter record he holds with Barella). Mkhitaryan will definitely have to earn his place into the team as Calhanoglu looks the first choice for now.

Robin Gosens (Left wing-back)

With the departure of Ivan Perisic to Tottenham Hotspur, the position of left wing-back is set to be taken up by Robin Gosens. The German international joined Inter Milan on loan from Atalanta in January 2022. The 28-year-old then made 13 league appearances in the second half of the season. He managed to score once and also provided an assist. With the ability to contribute both in attack and defense, Gosens is most likely to be Inter’s left wing-back next season.

Lautaro Martinez (Striker)

Martinez joined Inter back in 2018 and since then has gone on to make over 130 appearances, scoring more than 50 goals for the club. Martinez made 28 starts for Inter in the league last season. He score 21 league goals and created three for his teammates. While his stats are very impressive, what’s more important is the return of Lukaku. It will rekindle the Lukaku-Martinez partnership in Inter’s forward line. The two of them scored more than 40 goals combined the last time they played together.

Romelu Lukaku (Striker)

Romelu Lukaku is back on loan with Inter Milan after his big-money move to Chelsea last summer. The transfer didn’t quite work out for the Belgian and the striker is back once again, to a club where he was very clinical. Lukaku played a big role in Inter’s Scudetto winning season in 2020-21, scoring 24 times and providing 11 assists. Lukaku will be a certain starter for Inter Milan next season and there’s no doubt Lukaku will have a big role to play in Inter’s title charge next season.

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