Inter Milan begin their Serie A campaign on Monday evening at San Siro against Torino, aiming to bounce back from the heartbreak of last season’s collapse. The Nerazzurri looked on course for silverware on multiple fronts in 2024/25, only to fall short at the decisive moments. Now, under new leadership, they open against a Torino side also entering a fresh chapter with a new coach at the helm.
Last season was one of near misses for Inter. Having led the Scudetto race for much of the campaign, they stumbled late and lost the title to Napoli by just one point. Their cup hopes also ended in frustration: a Coppa Italia semi-final defeat to AC Milan and a humbling UEFA Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain left Simone Inzaghi drained, ultimately leading to his departure.
The club turned to a familiar face, appointing Cristian Chivu, one of the heroes of Inter’s 2010 treble, and most recently the coach who guided Parma to safety. Although inexperienced at senior level, Chivu was handed the chance to cut his teeth at this summer’s Club World Cup. Inter impressed in the group stage before bowing out against Fluminense in the last 16, and since then, they have regained momentum with three straight wins in pre-season friendlies.
Supporters will expect a confident start, especially against Torino, a side Inter Milan have dominated in recent years. The Nerazzurri have won 11 of their last 12 Serie A meetings with the Granata, including the last six by an aggregate score of 12-2. San Siro has been particularly unforgiving for Toro, who have not won there in 18 attempts across league fixtures against both Inter and Milan.
Like their hosts Inter Milan, Torino also changed managers in the summer. Paolo Vanoli’s tenure ended after a disappointing finish to last season, which saw the Granata slip out of the top half with just one win in their final nine matches. In came Marco Baroni, formerly of Lazio, tasked with revitalising a squad that has lost some important names. Midfield general Samuele Ricci’s move to AC Milan was a major blow, though the club finally secured long-term target Giovanni Simeone, who joins Che Adams in attack.
Results under Baroni have been mixed so far. Pre-season ended with back-to-back defeats, but Torino opened their Coppa Italia campaign on a positive note as Nikola Vlasic struck the winner against Modena. That set up a second-round clash with Pisa, yet their immediate schedule is daunting: Fiorentina, Roma and Atalanta follow their opener against Inter. How Baroni’s reshaped side handle this run could define the early trajectory of their season. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Inter Milan have managed to retain the core of their squad despite the turbulence of the summer, but they will be without one key figure on opening day. Midfield general Hakan Calhanoglu is suspended and will miss the clash against Torino, depriving Cristian Chivu of one of his most influential players. On the positive side, Inter’s injury list is clear, meaning the new boss has a strong pool of players available to him.
The squad has also been bolstered by several summer arrivals. Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique, French forward Ange-Yoan Bonny, who followed Chivu from Parma, and midfield duo Andy Diouf and Petar Sucic have been brought in to inject energy and depth into what has been an ageing squad. Despite these reinforcements, Chivu is expected to rely heavily on his experienced campaigners for the Serie A opener.
Between the posts, Yann Sommer will start as the undisputed number one, shielded by a back three of Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni. On the flanks, Denzel Dumfries will occupy the right wing-back role, with Federico Dimarco offering attacking thrust from the left. In midfield, Nicolo Barella will provide drive and dynamism, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and new signing Petar Sucic are expected to operate in central roles, compensating for Calhanoglu’s absence.
Up front, captain Lautaro Martínez will lead the attack, partnering Marcus Thuram, who enjoyed a prolific debut season for Inter Milan and has a strong record against Torino, scoring four league goals against them, including his only career hat-trick. This familiar strike duo remains central to Inter’s hopes of reclaiming the Scudetto.
Inter Milan are therefore expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation against Torino. Yann Sommer will start in goal behind Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni in defence. Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco will operate as wing-backs, with Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Petar Sucic forming the midfield three. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram will partner each other in attack, providing both firepower and leadership up front.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Sucic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Marco Baroni has several attacking options at his disposal as Torino prepare for their daunting trip to San Siro. Duvan Zapata has returned from a long-term injury and is once again in contention to start, joining Giovanni Simeone and Che Adams in the fight for a starting role. This added depth gives Baroni flexibility in how he approaches the game against one of Serie A’s strongest sides.
However, Torino are not without absentees. Central defender Perr Schuurs remains a long-term casualty, while summer signing Ardian Ismajli is sidelined by a thigh injury and unavailable for selection. Despite these setbacks, Torino’s recruitment has added fresh faces. Tino Anjorin, Zakaria Aboukhlal, and Cyril Ngonge have all joined the club, with Ngonge arriving on loan from Napoli. In goal, Franco Israel is set to make his Serie A debut after replacing Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who departed in the opposite direction as part of a summer deal.
Baroni is expected to set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Franco Israel will start between the posts, with Marcus Pedersen operating at right-back, Saul Coco at left-back, and Guillermo Maripan partnering Cristiano Biraghi in central defence. In midfield, Tino Anjorin will be deployed alongside Cesare Casadei as the double pivot, tasked with providing both cover and transition play.
Further forward, Cyril Ngonge is likely to start on the right wing, with Zakaria Aboukhlal on the left and Nikola Vlasic occupying the central attacking midfield role. Che Adams should lead the line as the primary striker, though competition from Zapata and Simeone means Baroni has alternatives if he opts for a different approach.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Israel; Pedersen, Coco, Maripan, Biraghi; Anjorin, Casadei; Ngonge, Vlasic, Aboukhlal; Adams
Inter Milan will begin a Serie A season under a foreign manager for the first time since 2016 (Frank de Boer). However, the last time the Nerazzurri won their opening matchday under a foreign coach was in 2003, when Hector Cuper’s side beat Modena 2-0.
Inter Milan and Torino will meet on the opening day of Serie A for the sixth time. In the previous five meetings, Inter have remained unbeaten (W3 D2), keeping a clean sheet in each, with a combined score of 4-0.
After winning five successive season openers, Inter Milan drew their last opening Serie A game. They could draw back-to-back openers for the first time since 2007–2010, when they went four straight without a win on Matchday 1.
Torino have drawn both of their last two season openers in Serie A (0-0 vs Cagliari in 2023/24 and 2-2 vs AC Milan in 2024/25). They have not gone three consecutive seasons unbeaten in their first league match since 1955-1957.
Inter Milan are unbeaten in their last 12 Serie A matches against Torino (W11 D1). They have also won each of their last six against the Granata, with an aggregate score of 12-2. The only other time Inter have had such a long unbeaten run versus Torino was between 2002 and 2008 (seven matches)
As Inter Milan begin a new chapter under Cristian Chivu, Lautaro Martínez shoulders the responsibility of leading the Nerazzurri into a fresh era. The Argentine striker has developed into the team’s undisputed talisman, combining relentless work rate with a consistent eye for goal. Now wearing the captain’s armband, his influence extends well beyond the scoresheet, he is expected to set the tone for his teammates through both leadership and performance.
Martinez enjoyed another productive campaign last season, finishing as Inter’s leading scorer, and his partnership with Marcus Thuram was one of the most dangerous in Serie A. Against Torino, he has a proven track record of delivering, often finding space against their defensive structure.
For a side looking to bounce back from the disappointment of last year’s near misses, Martínez’s ability to inspire and convert chances will be crucial. If Inter are to reclaim the Scudetto, their captain must continue to produce decisive moments, and Monday’s clash offers the perfect stage for him to begin that mission.
Inter Milan enter the new season determined to erase the memories of last year’s painful collapse. With home advantage, a strong record against Torino, and renewed energy under Cristian Chivu, they will be expected to make a winning start. Torino have strengthened their attack but weakened in midfield, and their poor history at San Siro suggests an uphill battle.
