Super Cup 2025, Inter-Milan: Thuram and Leao doubts for Inzaghi and Conceiçao

Ryiad (Saudi Arabia), 6 January 2024 – The setting is not the usual one of the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in San Siro but that of the Al-Awwal Park in Ryiad. The opponents are however Inter e Milan and what's at stake at the end of this "derby della Madonnina" played at unusual latitudes It's the Italian Super Cup 2025. In Saudi Arabia, everything is ready for the awarding of the first trophy of the season. The Nerazzurri, who eliminated Atalanta in the semi-final with a peremptory performance, are chasing a hat-trick of consecutive successes to try to reach nine super cups and start the new year in the best possible way: “Winning three super cups in a row would be very important – Inter coach Simone Inzaghi explained in the pre-match press conference –. It makes it all the more important that in the last two seasons we have played in two games in quick succession. We know we are facing a valuable team. Milan has quantity and quality, but we will have to focus exclusively on what we have to do. We have analyzed the last derby lost and their semifinal against Juventus. We will have to try to manage the ball better. What is certain is that we will give everything on the pitch, aware that we will have to face difficulties”. Marcus Thuram is doubtful among the Nerazzurri: “We will see the finishing touches, but when we return we will have six games in 18 days and we will not take any risks”. On the other hand, the Rossoneri, fresh from a 2-1 comeback victory against Juventus, are stuck on seven Super Cups, the last of which was lifted in 2016 under Montella. A number that mister Sergio Conceicao – still weakened by the flu – absolutely wants to bulk up to start his adventure in red and black in the best possible way despite some objective difficulties to face: "I hope the team is better than me - jokes the Portuguese coach -. We are preparing to play against a strong team, who have been playing together for many years. We must only think about ourselves and be ready, without forgetting that we have had one day less of preparation and that some players are coming back from an injury. However, I do not want to find excuses and at the end of the match I will not talk about this. We have taken one step and we must take the other: let's hope it goes well, but we are confident. Life is like this: sometimes in the midst of difficulties, good things are born". On the black and blue front, in doubt - as underlined - Thuram, on the red and black one Leao: “We’ll see how he is. He definitely doesn’t have the legs for 90 minutes and I’ll have to manage him. We’ll decide whether he plays or not.”  

Possible choices for Inzaghi and Conceiçao

Inzaghi will focus on 3-5-2: in front of goalkeeper Sommer, the trio of central defenders formed by Bisseck, De Vrji and Bastoni. On the wings, instead, Dumfries and Dimarco, with Barella, the former Rossoneri Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan completing the midfield line. Given the increasingly probable bench - at least at the beginning of Thuram - the attacking pair should instead be formed by Lautaro Martinez, still looking for a goal, and Taremi. Conceiçao, one of the former players of the match, will respond with a 4-2-3-1: Emerson Royal, Tomori, Thiaw and Theo Hernandez will form the back line to protect Maignan, while the defence will be formed by the dam formed by Fofana and Musah, ahead of Bennnacer. Reijnders will instead operate in the attacking midfield alongside Jimenez and Pulisic and in support of the striker Morata. Times and where to see the race: the Inter-Milan match, valid for the assignment of the Italian Super Cup 2025, will be broadcast on Monday 6 January at 20pm Italian time on Canale Cinque and in streaming on Sportmediaset (site and app) and on Mediaset Infinity. Probable lineups: Inter Milan (3-5-2): Summer; Bisseck, De Vrji, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Taremi, Lautaro Martinez. Coach Inzaghi. Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson Royal, Tomori, Thiaw, Theo Hernandez; Musah, Fofana; Jimenez, Reijnders, Pulisic; Morata. Coach Conceiçao.