Official – Starting Lineups Inter Milan Vs Juventus: Barella Returns From Injury & Sucic In As Calhanoglu Makes The Bench | OneFootball

Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Nicolo Barella following his return from injury, while captain Lautaro Martinez will partner Marcus Thuram in attack against Juventus and Hakan Calhanoglu will return to the bench.

If ever there was a defining moment in the Serie A campaign, this is one.

Inter host Juventus in a Derby d’Italia loaded with title implications and enormous pressure on both sides.

However, Lautaro Martinez and his teammates have repeatedly shown they can deliver in decisive fixtures.

Meanwhile, Juventus arrive with momentum of their own and renewed attacking options, setting the stage for a high-intensity encounter.

Despite the stakes, Inter still have one notable absence.

Indeed, Cristian Chivu remains without Denzel Dumfries, although the Dutch wing-back has returned to partial training and is nearing his comeback.

Therefore, the Romanian tactician has made key midfield decisions following the return of two injured stars.

Inter Milan Vs Juventus – Barella Returns, Calhanoglu Starts On Bench

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Nicolo Barella returns directly to the starting lineup after recovering from injury, restoring energy and intensity to Inter’s midfield.

Hakan Calhanoglu is also back available, but the Turkish international begins on the bench.

Piotr Zielinski keeps his place and will operate in a central role alongside Petar Sucic, who was a surprising late addition after it was initially expected that Mkhitaryan would start.

On the flanks, in-form Federico Dimarco and Brazilian Luis Henrique provide width and attacking thrust.

Inter Strength In Attack As Thuram & Lautaro Lead The Line

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Lautaro Martinez after scoring their team’s forth goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Marcus Thuram starts alongside captain Lautaro Martinez.

Indeed confirming Inter’s first-choice attacking partnership for the season’s most important fixtures.

Their chemistry and movement remain central to Inter’s attacking identity.

Especially against a Juventus defence built on physicality and structure.

Behind them, the midfield trio will look to control tempo and supply forward momentum.

Juventus Rely On McKennie & Yildiz Support Behind David

PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Weston McKennie of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti faced uncertainty surrounding Khephren Thuram, who misses out due to a bone edema issue.

Fabio Miretti was ready to step in when called upon.

Francisco Conceição returns to the starting lineup and joins Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz in support of striker Jonathan David.

The Bianconeri remain without long-term absentees Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik.

Inter Milan Vs Juventus – Official Starting Lineups

GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Cristian Chivu, head coach of Inter, reacts during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez. Bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Acerbi, De Vrij, Darmian, Carlos Augusto, Cocchi, Kamate, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Frattesi, Diouf, Bonny, Esposito. Coach: Chivu. Unavailable: Dumfries.

JUVENTUS (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Miretti; Conceição, McKennie, Yildiz; David. Bench: Perin, Pinsoglio, Gatti, Cabal, Holm, Kostic, Thuram, Adzic, Zhegrova, Boga, Openda. Coach: Spalletti. Unavailable: Milik, Vlahovic.