Inter star Marcelo Brozovic is suspended against Empoli and will miss his first game this season, while the Nerazzurri will continue monitoring the Tuscans’ defender Mattia Viti.
Simone Inzaghi’s side make their season debut in the Coppa Italia in a home clash against Empoli tonight.
The Inter coach is expected to rotate his squad, although Lautaro Martinez, the Nerazzurri’s best scorer this season, will likely start.
Brozovic is suspended and the Croat has been a key player for Inter this season, so much so, he hasn’t yet missed a game in 2021-22.
The 29-year-old has already played 2.345 minutes across all competitions, playing 18 games from 28 from start to finish.
Probable Coppa Italia line-ups: Sassuolo vs. Cagliari and Inter vs. Empoli
Brozovic sees his contract expire at the end of the season but according to multiple reports, the Serie A giants have reached an agreement to extend his stay at the club and an announcement is expected in the coming days.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, tonight’s match will also be an important test for Empoli defender Mattia Viti.
The 19-year-old made his Serie A debut this season and has already played ten games in Italy’s top flight.
Viti could soon receive his first Italy U21 call-up with the Nerazzurri planning a move similar to the one that brought Alessandro Bastoni to the club.
Inter signed the Italy international from Atalanta for €31m in 2017, but the player spent two seasons on loan with La Dea and Parma before returning to the Stadio Meazza.
Viti would not cost as much but the operation could be similar. Milan have also been linked with the promising centre-back.
Mercato #Inter, stasera occhi sul giovane #Viti
🔵⚫👇#calciomercatohttps://t.co/0WBJVOWz8m— FcInterNews.it (@FcInterNewsit) January 19, 2022