90min

The Inter Lineup That Should Start Against Bayer Leverkusen on Monday

By Myles Cutliffe

Inter progressed through to the quarter finals, beating Getafe 2-0.
Inter progressed through to the quarter finals, beating Getafe 2-0. / Lars Baron/Getty Images
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Inter are in their first European quarter-final since 2010/11. It's been a long time coming for the Nerazzurri, who have struggled to find consistent form since the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Now under the stewardship of Antonio Conte (for the time being, at least) Inter look rejuvenated and hungry for success – and the Europa League offers the perfect platform to flaunt their vast improvement over the past year.

The Nerazzurri head to Dusseldorf on Monday night to take on Peter Bosz's Bayer Leverkusen in a winner takes all tie.

Here's how they should lineup on Monday night.

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Handanovic has kept 14 clean sheets in Serie A this season.
Handanovic has kept 14 clean sheets in Serie A this season. / Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Samir Handanovic (GK) - Places in this star-studded Inter side are hotly contested right now, but there's one position that's a no-brainer, and that's Handanovic in goal. The Slovenian shot-stopper has five consecutive clean sheets to his name.

Antonio Candreva (RWB) - It feels weird mentioning Candreva in a defensive role, but the 33-year-old has shown tremendous versatility in adapting to his new position under Antonio Conte.

Diego Godin (CB) - Despite being in the latter stages of his career, the former Atletico man is still a defensive marvel. The gritty experience he provides is invaluable to the team, he's also won this competition before with Atleti. Could do without giving away another penalty, mind.

Stefan de Vrij (CB) - De Vrij has been a key figure in the heart of the Inter defence since his arrival from Lazio in 2018. The Nerazzurri recorded the best defensive record in Serie A this season, thanks in large to his dynamic performances at the back.

Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in Italian football. Bastoni has excelled in the latter stages of the season, his impressive run of form is keeping Milan Skriniar out of the team – along with uncertainty over the latter's future.

Ashley Young (LWB) - Young is excelling in his new role at Inter. The 35-year-old has shown us he's not past it with his stellar performances for the Nerazzurri – although the club are looking for an upgrade this summer.

2. Midfielders

Nicolo Barella has emerged as a key figure in Antonio Conte's side.
Nicolo Barella has emerged as a key figure in Antonio Conte's side. / Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Nicolo Barella (CM) - Barella has shone in his first season with the Nerazzurri. His technical ability coupled with an impressive work-rate have seen him become an integral part of Conte's plans.

Roberto Gagliardini (CM) - A classic box-to-box midfielder, Gagliardini provides the vital glue in midfield. The former Atalanta man can mop up defensively just as well as he can launch attacking plays.

Alexis Sanchez (CAM) - You'd be forgiven, a year ago, for thinking that Sanchez's time was up – but the 31-year-old is playing with a new lease of life at Inter. He looks to be enjoying his football again, and could celebrate officially sealing a permanent move to Milan with a big performance.

Forwards

Martinez and Lukaku have scored 49 goals between them this season.
Martinez and Lukaku have scored 49 goals between them this season. / Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Lautaro Martinez (ST) - The ruthless striker has 19 goals to his name this season, a run of form which has him linked heavily with a big money move to Barcelona – albeit one that the Catalan club have admitted they've put on the backburner.

Romelu Lukaku (ST) - Lukaku has notched 30 goals In his debut season for the Nerazzurri, a cracking tally considering the uneventful end to his United career. The chemistry established with Lautaro is of vital importance to Inter's cause.