Piotr Zielinski is expected to start in midfield for Inter in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final against Lazio, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Polish international will fill the playmaker role, a position recently experimented with by young midfielder Kristjan Sucic during Serie A matches.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is facing potential absences for Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu ahead of the crucial match at the Stadio Olimpico. Thuram’s fitness is a concern, while Calhanoglu is also doubtful, potentially leading to five changes from Inter’s most recent league game. In addition to Zielinski, Manuel Akanji, Denzel Dumfries, and Federico Dimarco are all expected to return to the starting lineup.
Zielinski joined Inter during the summer transfer window, bolstering their midfield options. He has featured intermittently throughout the season, providing tactical flexibility for Inzaghi. The former Napoli player offers a different profile to Calhanoglu, known for his set-piece expertise and long-range shooting, and Sucic, who is still developing his game.
Sucic is still likely to feature, however, and is currently favored to start as the left midfielder ahead of veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Lautaro Martinez is also in contention to play the full 90 minutes, having completed a strong training session, a feat he hasn’t achieved since a controversial match against Juventus in February. Inter anticipates approximately 20,000 supporters will travel to Rome to support the team, with the majority situated in the Curva Sud stand. The Coppa Italia final represents a significant opportunity for Inter to add another trophy to their cabinet this season.
