After producing a European masterclass to eliminate Barcelona from the UEFA Champions League, Inter Milan return to Serie A action with a critical clash against Torino FC on Sunday. With just three rounds remaining, the reigning champions are three points behind league leaders Napoli, making every remaining fixture a must-win in their bid to retain the Scudetto.
For Simone Inzaghi’s side, the mood in the camp is euphoric following their 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona, a two-legged tie already being dubbed as one of the greatest in European football history.
In the second leg, Inter found themselves trailing 3-2 with three minutes remaining, only for Francesco Acerbi to pop up with a stunning equaliser to force extra time. Moments later, substitute Davide Frattesi fired in the decisive goal, sending the San Siro into a frenzy and booking Inter’s place in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the focus now shifts back to domestic matters, where Inter must find a way to reinvigorate their title challenge. Despite a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona in their last Serie A outing, the Nerazzurri have been uncharacteristically inconsistent in league action this year. After winning eight consecutive away games to start 2025, Inter have since managed just one victory in their last seven league fixtures on the road.
Compounding their struggles, Inter have also failed to register successive clean sheets in the league this calendar year, with fatigue beginning to show in a squad competing on multiple fronts. Nevertheless, Inzaghi’s men have dominated recent encounters with Torino, winning each of the last five Serie A meetings and keeping clean sheets in four of those games.
For Torino, the stakes are far lower, with Paolo Vanoli’s men safely positioned in mid-table and aiming solely for a top-half finish. The Granata currently sit 11th in the standings, having salvaged a 1-1 draw against Venezia last weekend through a late Nikola Vlasic penalty. Despite having little to play for, Torino can still play a significant role in the title race while extending their nine-match unbeaten home run in Serie A.
At the Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Vanoli’s men have been formidable, emerging as one of only four teams in the league to remain unbeaten at home in 2025, a record they share with the likes of Napoli, Roma, and Bologna. Should they avoid defeat on Sunday, Torino will extend their unbeaten streak at home to 10 games for the first time since 1995.
However, their record against Inter is dismal. Torino have lost 14 of their last 20 home league matches against the Nerazzurri and were defeated 3-2 in Milan earlier this season. With little to lose and Inter under immense pressure, the Granata could prove to be a formidable obstacle for a fatigued and distracted Inter side. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Torino FC have received a timely boost with the return of Karol Linetty, who is now back in full training and could be involved in Sunday’s clash against Inter Milan. However, there are concerns over the availability of key midfielder Samuele Ricci, who remains a doubt with a lingering injury issue.
Meanwhile, Torino continue to operate without the services of club captain Duvan Zapata, who remains sidelined with a long-term injury. In his absence, Che Adams, the club’s top scorer with nine goals, is expected to lead the line. However, head coach Paolo Vanoli could opt to start Antonio Sanabria, who was given the nod in last weekend’s draw against Venezia.
Regardless of who starts up front, Nikola Vlasic will likely provide support in the attacking midfield role, having netted his fifth goal of the season against Venezia — a strike that brings him within touching distance of setting a new personal best for a Serie A campaign.
Torino are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, providing structure and width while allowing for flexibility in the attacking third. In goal, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic will retain his position as the starting goalkeeper. The back four is likely to consist of Sebastian Walukiewicz at right-back, Guillermo Maripan and Saul Coco as the central defensive pairing, and Cristiano Biraghi at left-back, providing experience and defensive solidity.
As for the midfield unit, Gvidas Gineitis and Cesare Casadei will anchor the midfield from the double pivot, combining Casadei’s physical presence with Gineitis’s ability to link play.
Further forward, the attacking midfield trio will feature Valentino Lazaro on the right wing, Nikola Vlasic in the central attacking role, and Eljif Elmas on the left. Vlasic’s creativity and goalscoring threat will be pivotal in breaking down Inter’s defence, while Lazaro and Elmas provide width and direct running.
Leading the line as the central striker will be Che Adams, whose physicality and aerial presence will be essential in unsettling Inter’s backline. If Adams is rested, Antonio Sanabria will be the primary alternative to spearhead the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Maripan, Coco, Biraghi; Gineitis, Casadei; Lazaro, Vlasic, Elmas; Adams
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi is expected to rotate his squad once again with the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain looming large. Last weekend, Inzaghi made wholesale changes in the 2-1 win over Hellas Verona, resting as many as 10 first-choice players, and a similar approach is anticipated in Turin against Torino.
Lautaro Martinez, who was declared fit at the last minute to start against Barcelona, played through the pain barrier and is unlikely to be risked from the start. Instead, attacking options such as Mehdi Taremi, Joaquin Correa, and Marko Arnautovic will all come into consideration.
Marcus Thuram, who has scored four career goals against Torino, including a hat-trick last October at San Siro, could also be handed a start, but his involvement may be limited given the congested fixture schedule. On the injury front, Benjamin Pavard is ruled out due to an ankle injury, while several players are nursing muscular fatigue and may be monitored closely.
Inter Milan are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, a structure that provides defensive stability while allowing for fluidity in attack. In goal, Yann Sommer will retain his position as the starting goalkeeper. The back three is likely to consist of Yann Bisseck on the right, Stefan de Vrij centrally, and Carlos Augusto on the left, forming a balanced defensive trio.
In the midfield, the right wing-back role will be occupied by Matteo Darmian, while Federico Dimarco will operate on the left, providing width and crossing opportunities. The central midfield trio will include Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, and Piotr Zielinski. Barella’s energy and Asllani’s distribution will be key, while Zielinski will serve as the creative link between the midfield and attack.
Up front, the attacking partnership will likely feature Joaquin Correa and Marko Arnautovic, with Correa offering pace and dribbling ability, while Arnautovic provides a physical presence and aerial threat.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, de Vrij, Augusto; Darmian, Barella, Asllani, Zielinski, Dimarco; Correa, Arnautovic
With Inter Milan juggling their Serie A title hopes and Champions League ambitions, the need for experienced players to step up in crunch domestic fixtures has never been greater. Enter Marko Arnautovic, a player who has been a pivotal attacking option for Simone Inzaghi this season, particularly in matches where rotation is necessary.
Arnautovic’s physical presence, aerial ability, and knack for scoring crucial goals make him a prime candidate to lead the line against Torino. With Lautaro Martinez nursing a slight knock and Marcus Thuram potentially rested, the Austrian forward is expected to spearhead Inter’s attack alongside Joaquin Correa.
Despite limited starts, Arnautovic has demonstrated his effectiveness as a target man, using his strength to hold off defenders and bring midfield runners like Nicolo Barella and Piotr Zielinski into play. Additionally, his positional intelligence allows him to exploit gaps in the opposition’s defensive line — an area where Torino have been vulnerable against top-half teams.
Moreover, Arnautovic’s ability to finish from both open play and set-piece situations adds another dimension to Inter’s attack. With Federico Dimarco and Matteo Darmian providing crosses from wide areas, expect the Austrian to be a constant aerial threat in and around the penalty box.
Against a Torino defence that has conceded 24 goals in their last 11 meetings with Inter, Arnautovic’s presence in the box could prove decisive, particularly if Inter are forced to break down a deep-lying, compact backline.
If Inter are to maintain their faint title hopes and keep the pressure on Napoli, Marko Arnautovic’s performance in the attacking third will be pivotal. Expect him to play a prominent role as the focal point of Inter’s attack, aiming to add to his goal tally and deliver a vital three points in the Scudetto race.
Inter Milan will enter this fixture as heavy favourites given their attacking firepower and recent dominance over Torino. However, with the UEFA Champions League final looming and fatigue setting in, Torino’s resilient home record could frustrate the Nerazzurri. Expect a tight, hard-fought encounter with Inter narrowly edging it.
