Official – Starting Lineups Sassuolo Vs Inter Milan: Marcus Thuram & Lautaro Martinez Lead Attack | OneFootball

Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Marcus Thuram alongside captain Lautaro Martinez against Sassuolo.

If ever there was a key moment in the league campaign, this is one. Inter visit a rejuvenated Sassuolo side who have regained confidence and key players after a difficult spell.

However, Lautaro Martinez and company have shown on multiple occasions that they can deliver in decisive situations.

Meanwhile, Sassuolo come into this match on the back of consecutive wins after a seven-game drought.

The return of Domenico Berardi has restored belief, and coach Fabio Grosso sticks with his trusted 4-3-3 system.

Despite heading into proceedings as favorites, Inter will still be without several first-team stars.

Indeed, Cristian Chivu cannot call upon the likes of Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolo Barella.

Therefore, the Romanian tactician has once again adjusted his starting lineup.

Sassuolo vs Inter Milan – Thuram Gets The Nod In Attack

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Marcus Thuram earns another start in attack and partners Lautaro Martinez up front.

Indeed, doubts lingered over Thuram’s condition but Chivu has opted for the Frenchman available from the bench, with Pio Esposito on the bench.

Behind them, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the only player to keep his place from the Coppa Italia clash. He joins Piotr Zielinski and Petar Sucic in midfield.

On the flanks, Luis Henrique and Federico Dimarco return to the starting XI.

Inter Depth On Bench With Pio Esposito, Frattesi & Bonny Waiting In The Wings

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 23, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

In defence, Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, and Alessandro Bastoni form the back three in front of Yann Sommer.

Testament to Inter’s squad depth, Chivu has chosen to keep the likes of Carlos Augusto, Marcus Thuram, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Davide Frattesi on the bench.

The coach has four strong centre-forwards at his disposal and so far this season has done an excellent job at rotating them.

Frattesi, meanwhile, was linked heavily away from the Nerazzurri in the winter.

However, Inter’s inability to sign Liverpool man Curtis Jones essentially pulled the plug on Frattesi’s rumoured switch to Nottingham Forest.

Instead the Italian will now be integrated back into the squad.

Sassuolo Vs Inter Milan – Official Starting Lineups: Thuram, Sucic & Mkhitaryan Start

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s sixth goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 23, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

SASSUOLO (4-3-3): 49 Murić; 6 Walukiewicz, 21 Idzes, 80 Muharemovic, 3 Doig; 42 Thorstvedt, 18 Matic, 90 Koné; 10 Berardi, 99 Pinamonti, 45 Laurienté. Bench: 12 Satalino, 16 Zacchi, 7 Volpato, 8 Nzola, 11 Boloca, 19 Romagna, 20 Fadera, 23 Garcia, 24 Moro, 25 Coulibaly, 35 Lipani, 40 Vranckx, 44 Iannoni, 50 Bakola, 66 Pedro Felipe. Coach: Grosso. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Boloca, Turati, Candé, Pieragnolo.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 31 Bisseck, 25 Akanji, 95 Bastoni; 11 Luis Henrique, 8 Sučić, 7 Zielinski, 22 Mkhitaryan, 32 Dimarco; 10 Lautaro Martinez, 9 Thuram. Bench: 12 Di Gennaro, 13 J. Martinez, 6 De Vrij, 14 Bonny, 15 Acerbi, 16 Frattesi, 17 Diouf, 30 Carlos Augusto, 36 Darmian, 41 Kamate, 43 Cocchi, 94 Esposito. Coach: Chivu. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Dumfries, Calhanoglu, Barella.