Media outlets in Italy claim that Inter and coach Simone Inzaghi have four options to replace the injured Benjamin Pavard, who is expected to be sidelined with a dislocated knee cap until January 2024.
The 27-year-old will have to wear a knee brace for a period of around four weeks before he can begin his rehabilitation in the gym and on the pitch.
Pavard’s absence will come as a blow to Inzaghi, given his tactical flexibility and ability to play equally naturally in both a back four and a back three.
La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Matteo Darmian will be Inzaghi’s first port of call.
The former Manchester United full-back has become a regular on the right-hand side of a back three and will likely line-up alongside Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni for Inter’s encounter with RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.
There will, however, be a need for rotation at some point in the near future, particularly with the Nerazzurri facing a run of three consecutive away games against Juventus, Benfica and Napoli in November.
In instances when Darmian is rested, there would likely be an opportunity for Stefan de Vrij to return to the starting line-up.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have also pointed to the lesser-spotted Yann Bisseck as well, who has racked up just eight minutes of competitive action for Inter since joining for an estimated fee of €7m in the summer.
The final suggestion involves former Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado being deployed on the right-hand side of a back four.
The Colombian is currently unavailable through injury and is expected to miss the upcoming international break, but could be fit enough to return for Inter’s tough run of games in mid-to-late November.