Cristian Chivu’s Inter Milan are set to receive a timely triple fitness boost ahead of their decisive Club World Cup Group E fixture against River Plate on Wednesday. Inter head into the clash level on points with the Argentine giants but behind on goal difference. A win would see the Nerazzurri finish as group winners and advance to the last 16 with momentum.
Chivu has had to juggle his options in the United States due to multiple injury concerns, but reports from Tuttosport via FCInterNews suggest that Denzel Dumfries, Davide Frattesi, and Hakan Calhanoglu are all expected to return to the matchday squad.
However, Inter remain without Benjamin Pavard, Marcus Thuram, Piotr Zielinski, and Yann Bisseck, meaning Chivu will continue to rely on squad depth in key positions. With Thuram ruled out, young forward Sebastiano Esposito is set to continue his strike partnership with captain Lautaro Martinez. Francesco Pio Esposito will likely serve as backup again.
A fit-again Dumfries and Calhanoglu should return to the midfield, joining Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Federico Dimarco in a strong five-man unit. Defensively, veteran Francesco Acerbi is expected to reunite with Alessandro Bastoni and Stefan de Vrij ahead of goalkeeper Yann Sommer, offering experience and stability at the back.
Inter Milan predicted starting XI:
Sommer; De Vrij, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Esposito, Martinez.