Super Cup: Bologna v Inter, Chivu eyes Frattesi, Castro returns | OneFootball

The Italian Super Cup heats up with a semifinal of the highest stakes. Bologna and Inter face off tonight at 8 PM, live on Italia 1, to claim the last available ticket to Monday’s final against Napoli.

Super Cup, Bologna-Inter, a semifinal worth the final: Chivu considers Frattesi, Italiano brings back Castro

A clash that promises technical quality, strategic choices, and possible surprises in the lineups.

With the derby scenario ruled out, the outcome on the pitch could lead to two fascinating possibilities: on one side, a Napoli-Inter with the flavor of a European big match; on the other, an intriguing Napoli-Bologna, which would allow Vincenzo Italiano to chase his second trophy of the season after winning the Coppa Italia in May.

Chivu makes some changes: Frattesi a real option

Cristian Chivu is inclined to shuffle the deck, giving space to those who have played less in recent weeks. In this context, the idea of starting Davide Frattesi from the first minute is gaining traction, as a possible alternative to Barella in midfield.

There are also some doubts about the rest of the Nerazzurri eleven, but the idea is to introduce fresh legs without upsetting the setup. In goal, the Argentine Martinez will start, while in defense the choice between Bisseck and Bastoni remains open, with De Vrij ready to return from the first minute.

In midfield, with Luis Henrique and Dimarco on the wings, Zielinski could play in the playmaker role alongside Mkhitaryan, while up front the attacking duo should be Thuram and Bonny.

Italiano relies on Castro, Immobile as a weapon during the match

On the Bologna side, Vincenzo Italiano seems set to start Castro at the center of the attack. The idea of Ciro Immobile is appealing, but the former Lazio player, just back among the available squad, will hardly be able to guarantee ninety minutes at high intensity.

Behind the striker, the Rossoblù coach will rely on a trio of Orsolini, Odgaard, and Cambiaghi, with Moro and Pobega forming the usual midfield duo in front of the starting defense.

The tactical battle: 3-5-2 vs 4-2-3-1

One of the most interesting aspects of the match will be the tactical matchup between Inter’s 3-5-2 and Bologna’s 4-2-3-1. Italiano’s man-to-man pressing will push the Rossoblù wingers to attack the Nerazzurri’s wide defenders, while the midfielders will track Inter’s mezzalas, with the attacking midfielder tasked with screening the playmaker.

It remains to be seen how far Bologna’s full-backs will push up to counter Chivu’s wing-backs. Individual marking against Inter always carries risks, especially due to the constant rotations of the Nerazzurri players, even if less pronounced than during the Inzaghi era.

A possible attacking development could be seeking depth on the flanks, pulling the full-backs out and exploiting the movements of the Thuram-Bonny duo, who would often find themselves in numerical parity with the Rossoblù central defenders.

Probable lineups and live TV

Bologna (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Holm, Heggem, Lucumí, Miranda; Moro, Pobega; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro. Coach: Italiano

Inter (3-5-2): Martinez J.; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Frattesi, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Bonny, Thuram. Coach: Chivu

Referee: Chiffi

Live TV: 8 PM on Italia 1 and SportMediaset.it Pre-match: from 7 PM on Italia 1 and SportMediaset.it

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.