Inter Faces Injury Crisis Ahead of Crucial Venezia Clash

Inter Milan faces a mounting injury crisis as they prepare to take on Venezia in a crucial Serie A clash on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The match, set to kick off at 14:00 GMT, comes on the heels of a disappointing 3-2 loss to rivals AC Milan, where Inter squandered a 2-0 lead. Key players including Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Francesco Acerbi are sidelined, forcing manager Simone Inzaghi to reshuffle his lineup.

Piotr Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi will start for Inter, forming a new midfield partnership with Kristjan Asllani. Lautaro Martinez will lead the attack alongside Taremi, while Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard remain doubtful due to fitness concerns. Venezia, on the other hand, has shown signs of resurgence, with goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, on loan from Inter, playing a pivotal role in their recent performances.

Venezia’s recent form includes a 2-2 draw with Juventus and a 2-1 victory over Cagliari, though they narrowly lost 1-0 to Napoli. Despite injuries to Alfred Duncan and Domen Crnigoj, Venezia will field Gaetano Oristanio, another Inter youth product, who is carrying a knock but will start regardless.

The match promises to be a test of depth for Inter, who are desperate to regain momentum in the title race. Venezia, sitting mid-table, will look to capitalize on Inter’s vulnerabilities and continue their upward trajectory. The starting lineups are as follows: Venezia – Stankovic; Idzes, Sverko, Altare; Zampano, Busio, Nicolussi Caviglia, Doumbia, Ellertsson; Oristanio, Pohjanpalo. Inter – Sommer; Darmian, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Zielinski, Carlos Augusto; Taremi, Lautaro Martinez.