The Inter Lineup That Should Start Against Sevilla

It may seem like a lifetime ago, but Inter's start to the season was electric. Six games into Serie A had yielded six wins, 13 goals scored and just two conceded, but it didn't last. Couldn't last. Antonio Conte's side were beaten by Juventus and ultimately finished the domestic campaign as runners up to the Old Lady.

However, Conte and co. can bookend the season in satisfying style if the Italian giants can overcome Sevilla in Friday's Europa League final.

After some nervy moments against Getafe in the round of 16, Inter eased past Bayer Leverkusen and convincingly swept aside Shakhtar Donetsk to tee up a mouthwatering showpiece against Sevilla - pitting two teams comfortably of Champions League calibre against one another.

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Samir Handanovic (GK) - As club captain and perhaps the side's most reliable performer, Inter suffered when Handanovic was sidelined with a finger injury earlier in the season, narrowly losing a crucial game against Lazio. The imposing Slovenia international will be there for the season's most important fixture with all ten digits ready to stop anything coming his way.

Diego Godín (CB) - Milan Skriniar's surprise demotion to the substitutes' bench - perhaps in response to the mounting transfer speculation - has all but ensured Godín's place in Friday's starting XI. The battle-hardened Uruguayan is no stranger to a match of this magnitude, having already played in four European finals, and may be able to impart some of his wisdom to the younger members of the squad.

Stefan de Vrij (CB) - The Dutch international has not only stood out among his teammates this campaign, but De Vrij has arguably been Serie A's outstanding centre-back this season.

Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - The 21-year-old's impressive form throughout his debut campaign with Inter has belied his youth.

2. Midfielders and Wing-Backs

Danilo D'Ambrosio (RWB) - Inter's number 33 has stumbled upon a rich vein of form at the perfect time. Three goals in his last five games for the versatile Italian may be just enough to see him edge past Antonio Candreva and Victor Moses for a starting berth in the final.

Nicolò Barella (CM) - In one of Conte's innumerable rants this season, the 51-year-old bemoaned a lack of experience in the club's signings, citing the fact that they had bought players from lowly sides such as Sassuolo and Cagliari. However, Barella - who arrived from the latter - has enjoyed a largely successful campaign and is also in the midst of a wonderful run of form, providing some much need support from midfield for the two forwards.

Marcelo Brozovic (CM) - Only one outfield player has featured in more minutes than Conte's trusted midfield dynamo this season. While all that running has just begun to creep through in a few tired performances of late, there is little chance Brozovic will be anywhere other than the starting XI on Friday.

Roberto Gagliardini (CM) - Gagliardini may be the outright winner for Serie A's miss of the season, but the 26-year-old has earned his extended run in the team - starting all but one of Inter's Serie A and Europa League games since lockdown.

Ashley Young (LWB) - While a narrative-packed reunion with Manchester United was scuppered by Friday's opponents, Young has scarcely needed any sort of ulterior motive to produce the excellent performances Inter have become accustomed to since his January switch.

3. Strikers

Romelu Lukaku (ST) - Few players have so seamlessly adapted and thrived at a new club - in a new country - as record-breaking Romelu Lukaku has at Inter. The Belgium international has racked up 33 goals this season, one shy of the tally the legendary Ronaldo mustered in his own debut campaign with the Nerazzurri. That season Ronaldo found the net in the UEFA Cup final, can Lukaku equal the Brazilian's record on the same stage?

Lautaro Martínez (ST) - The South American half of the Inter's prolific LuLa strike force has netted an impressive 21 goals himself this term. After a post-lockdown slump which brought two goals in 12 games, Lautaro was back to his best in the semi-final against Shakhtar, scoring twice and assisting Lukaku's first on the night.