Inter is set to solidify their Serie A lead as they face Cagliari, who are fighting to avoid relegation. The match at San Siro will feature a unique sibling rivalry between the Esposito brothers.
The game is scheduled to kick off at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at 19:45 UK time (18:45 CEST).
These fixtures are being played today because Inter and Como are also scheduled to face each other in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday. Inter is coming off a decisive 4-3 victory against Como, which extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to nine points. They now face a different challenge against a Cagliari side positioned just above the relegation zone.
Inter’s manager, Cristian Chivu, has limited options due to injuries to Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martinez, and Yann Bisseck, as well as Petar Sucic’s suspension. To prepare for the upcoming Coppa Italia match, some squad rotation is expected. Francesco Pio Esposito will partner Marcus Thuram up front, rather than Ange-Yoan Bonny.
This match is particularly special as Cagliari will start Sebastiano Esposito, the elder of three brothers who all play professional football. The Inter defense will feature Stefan de Vrij and Carlos Augusto, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and goalkeeper Josep Martinez also in the starting eleven.
Cagliari has been in a precarious position, sliding into the relegation danger zone after four consecutive losses. However, a recent 1-0 win against Cremonese has provided them with a six-point cushion. Despite this, they will be pushing hard for every point at San Siro.
Cagliari will be without Leonardo Pavoletti due to a knee issue and Luca Mazzitelli due to a calf strain. Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici are long-term absentees with torn ACLs. Semih Kilicsoy will support Sebastiano Esposito in attack, while veteran Yerry Mina will bolster the defense. Marco Palestra, who has been linked with a move to Inter, will aim to impress at right wing-back.
Inter vs. Cagliari Official Lineups
Inter: Martinez; Akanji, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Pio Esposito
Cagliari: Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Obert; Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Sulemana, J Rodriguez; Borrelli, S Esposito
Inter vs. Cagliari: Match Details and Lineups
Match Information
- Date: April 17, 2026
- Time: 19:45 UK time (18:45 CEST)
- Venue: San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)
- Matchday: 33
Starting Lineups
Inter
- Goalkeeper: Josep Martínez
- Defenders: Federico Dimarco, Manuel Akanji, Stefan de Vrij, Carlos Augusto
- Midfielders: Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Nicolò Barella
- Attackers: Pio Esposito, Marcus Thuram
Cagliari
- Goalkeeper: Elia Caprile
- Defenders: Adam Obert, Yerry Mina, Marco Palestra, Zé Pedro
- Midfielders: Gianluca Gaetano, Michel Adopo, Ibrahim Sulemana
- Attackers: Gennaro Borrelli, Sebastiano Esposito
Substitutes
Inter
- Francesco Acerbi, Piotr Zielinski, Davide Frattesi, Matteo Darmian, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Luis Henrique, Yann Sommer, Andy Diouf, Raffaele Di Gennaro, Christos Alexiou, Mattia Mosconi
Cagliari
- Alessandro Deiola, Gabriele Zappa, Michael Folorunsho, Andrea Belotti, Giuseppe Ciocci, Alberto Dossena, Semih Kılıçsoy, Alen Sherri, Joseph Liteta, Yael Trepy, Agustín Albarracín, Othniel Raterink, Paul Mendy
Season Analytics
Inter (Home)
- Recent Form: W-W-D-D-L (Last 5 matches)
- League Position: 1st
Cagliari (Away)
- Recent Form: W-L-L-L-L (Last 5 matches)
- League Position: 16th