Official Starting Lineups – Inter Milan vs Kairat Almaty: Pio Esposito & Frattesi Start | OneFootball

Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Francesco Pio Esposito and Davide Frattesi against Kairat Almaty. This evening’s Champions League Match Day 4 clash kicks off at 21:00 CEST at San Siro.

Inter head into their fourth Champions League outing under Cristian Chivu as odds-on favorites.

Furthermore, the San Siro giants boast a flawless three-game record at Europe’s top table this season.

Therefore, the Nerazzurri should take the field in high spirits, especially after beating Hellas Verona 2-1 on Sunday.

However, Chivu has more than one injury concern, with several players struggling with injuries.

The absence of veteran midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is perhaps the most significant.

Inter Milan vs Kairat Almaty – Pio Esposito Set For Third Champions League Start

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale looks on during the Pre-season Friendly match between AC Monza and FC Internazionale at U-Power Stadium on August 12, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Firstly, the big team news ahead of the match is that Francesco Pio Esposito will make his third start in the Champions League.

Back at Inter after a phenomenal breakout season at Spezia, the 20-year-old continues to make waves in Italian football.

Furthermore, the teenage striker scored his first-ever goal in the Champions League against Royale Union SG last time out.

Therefore, he is brimming with confidence, especially after scoring his maiden goal for Italy during October’s international break.

Despite starting in Inter’s last eight matches across all competitions, Lautaro Martinez retains his place in the final third.

Cristian Chivu Puts Faith in Davide Frattesi & Nicolo Barella

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Another couple of pre-match question marks surrounded the midfield and the left-hand side.

Despite establishing himself as Inter’s driving force in the midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu will drop to the bench. This means Nicolo Barella starts in his place.

Furthermore, Piotr Zielinski starts again after scoring a sensational volley at the Bentegodi.

Therefore, Davide Frattesi returns to the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, on the left-hand side, Federico Dimarco starts on the left wing, with Denzel Dumfries starting on the right side.

In defense, Carlos Augusto gets the nod in the starting XI ahead of Alessandro Bastoni.

In addition to Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi is out, with Stefan de Vrij replacing him at the heart of Inter’s backline.

Finally, Yann Bisseck starts ahead of Manuel Akanji.

Official Starting Lineups – Inter Milan vs Kairat Almaty: Pio Esposito Starts

BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Frattesi, Barella, Zielinski, Dimarco; Esposito, Lautaro. Bench: Martinez, Calligaris, Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni, Luis Henrique,, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Diouf, Bonny, Thuram. Coach: Chivu. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Mkhitaryan, Darmian, Palacios, Di Gennaro.

Kairat Almaty (4-2-3-1): Anarbekov; Edmilson, Sorokin, Shirobokov, Luis Mata; Arad, Kasabulat; Gromyko, Jorginho, Mrynskiy; Satpayev. Bench: Zarutskiy, Kurgin, Zaria, Baibek, Sadybekov, Glazer, Tapalov, Ricardinho. Coach: Urazbakhtin. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Martynovich.