Inter’s Lukas Podolski has a chance of debuting in the Derby d'Italia against Juventus, as clearance on his move from Arsenal is expected.
The Polish-born German international has been unable to train with the Nerazzurri yet, but the transfer is expected to be made official today, as the Gazzetta dello Sport report.
It is understood that Inter and Arsenal yesterday completed the exchange of paperwork and that by lunchtime today the bureaucratic process will be complete.
Inter’s Lukas Podolski has a chance of debuting in the Derby d'Italia against Juventus, as clearance on his move from Arsenal is expected.
The Polish-born German international has been unable to train with the Nerazzurri yet, but the transfer is expected to be made official today, as the Gazzetta dello Sport report.
It is understood that Inter and Arsenal yesterday completed the exchange of paperwork and that by lunchtime today the bureaucratic process will be complete.
Subsequently, Coach Roberto Mancini may be able to field the player against Juventus tomorrow evening, when Serie A swings back into action after the winter break.
Podolski is looking for a return to form after his disappointing recent experience in the Premier League, with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger having now admitted that the player was ‘frustrated’ in London.
Mancini faces the question of whether to insert Podolski from the start in his 4-2-3-1, on the same line as Mateo Kovacic and Hernanes, backed up by Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Gary Medel in the midfield.
The question of who will play as main striker is still uncertain, as FCInterNews believe one between Pablo Osvaldo and Mauro Icardi will take the position, while FantaGazzetta holds that the latter will be shifted to the wing and Rodrigo Palacio will play as a striker – Podolski would then remain on the bench.
Juventus, meanwhile, are still contending with the absences of Kwadwo Asamoah and Romulo, but are expected to field their strongest XI, with the axis of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini in central defence supporting Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba in the midfield.
Coach Max Allegri will likely field a 4-3-1-2 with Arturo Vidal as trequartista and Carlos Tevez flanked by Fernando Llorente in attack.
Probable line-ups
Juventus:Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vidal; Tevez, Llorente
Inter:Handanovic; Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, D'Ambrosio; Kuzmanovic, Medel; Hernanes, Kovacic, Podolski; Icardi
Image via @inter