Official Starting Lineups – Inter Milan vs Sassuolo: Josep Martinez & Petar Sucic Start, Lautaro Martinez Benched | OneFootball

Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Josep Martinez in goal and Francesco Pio Esposito in attack against Sassuolo, benching captain Lautaro Martinez. This evening’s Serie A Match Day 4 clash kicks off at 20:45 CET at San Siro.

Inter welcome the Neroverdi to their home as both team’s look for greater consistency.

Both Inter and Sassuolo come into the match with just three points to their name so far this season.

Chivu’s side last won in the league in their opening game 5-0 victory over Torino.

Meanwhile, Sassuolo’s first win of the season came last weekend with an impressive 1-0 win against Lazio. Chivu has a full squad available to him for Inter.

However, his counterpart Fabio Grosso misses just one player in Yeferson Paz.

Inter Milan Vs Sassuolo – Josep Martinez Makes First Start Of The Season

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 02: Josep Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after his teammate Hakan Calhanoglu (not pictured) scored his side’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Firstly, the situation surrounding Inter’s goalkeepers is a fascinating one.

After the Nerazzurri’s 4-3 defeat to Juventus last weekend, Swiss keeper Yann Sommer faced criticism.

The Inter player did not make a single save and conceded two long-range efforts from the Bianconeri.

Therefore, fans and press called for Josep Martinez to come into the team but Chivu chose not to and Sommer repaid his coach’s faith with a stellar performance.

However, the Spaniard will finally get his chance in goal today as he makes his first appearance of the season.

Chivu Brings Sucic Back Into XI, Pio Esposito Keeps Place Ahead Of Lautaro

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Secondly, Summer signing Petar Sucic returns to the starting eleven today.

The Croatian, who signed in the summer from Dinamo Zagreb, was strong in the opening two games of the season.

However, Chivu replaced Sucic with Mkhitaryan after the international break.

Now, Sucic returns, given the nod ahead of Mkhitaryan and Davide Frattesi, the latter yet to play a minute in the league this season.

Meanwhile, another question mark prior to the game was around club captain Lautaro Martinez.

The Argentine missed the win over Ajax due to back pain and returned to full training yesterday.

Subsequently, It was touch-and-go as to whether Chivu would risk his star forward or play it safe and keep his faith in youngster Francesco Pio Esposito.

Furthermore, Esposito impressed in his Champions League debut against Ajax and looks like a solid partner for in-form Marcus Thuram.

Official Starting Lineups – Inter Milan vs Sassuolo: Josep Martinez & Petar Sucic Start As Lautaro Martinez Rested

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: Carlos Augusto 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)

Inter Milan (3-5-2): Josep Martinez; Manuel Akanji, Francesco Acerbi, Carlos Augusto; Denzel Dumfries, Petar Sucic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Federico Dimarco; Marcus Thuram, Francesco Pio Esposito Substitutes: Sommer, Di Gennaro, De Vrij, Bisseck, Bastoni, Palacios, Darmian, Luis Henrique, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Frattesi, Diouf, Bonny, Lautaro Coach: Cristian Chivu Suspended: N/A Unavailable: N/A