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Inter Milan have somewhat returned to winning ways after the appointment of Luciano Spalletti last year. The Italian giants finished in Champions League places after a long gap of 7 years.
As a result, the Italian manager went out and spent money to revamp the squad in order to challenge for the Scudetto in the upcoming season. The summer saw the arrivals of Radja Nainggolan, Lautaro Martinez, Stefan De Vrij and Kwadwo Asamoah in permanent deals, while the likes of Sime Vrsaljko, Keita Balde, and Matteo Politano have made temporary switches from their respective clubs.
Adding to this list, Joao Mario is back from West Ham after spending a year out on loan in England. But, it is likely that the Portuguese international would be loaned out again, with Real Betis looking as the likely destination.
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Luciano Spalletti will have a selection headache as they prepare for the first game of the season when they take on Sassuolo on Sunday. With 4-2-3-1 being the preferred formation, let's look at how they could line up for the opening day of the 2017/18 season:
GK - Samir Handanovic
Samir Handanovic has been one of the stand out players in Serie A over the past five years. Since signing for Inter in 2012, the Slovenian has gone on to make more than 200 appearances for the San Siro giants.
The goalkeeper might be aged 34, but his reflexes are still at the peak, with his extraordinary ability to save goals from close range. A commander at the back, Handanovic will be an important member for Spalletti's side, more so than ever, as the capital side prepare to mount a serious challenge for the first time since the treble-winning 2009/10 season.
RB - Sime Vrsaljko
Having already plied his trade in Serie a for Italian sides Sassuolo and Genoa, Sime Vrasljko will look to reignite his career with the Milanese club after failing to cement his place in the starting eleven under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid for the past two years.
This deal could prove to be beneficial for both parties as Spalletti was in dire need of a right full-back. On the other hand, the Croatian was also looking to feature more in the upcoming season, especially after a tremendous World cup with Croatia.
Joao Cancelo's move to Juventus means Vrsaljko will probably start against Sassuolo on Sunday.
RCB - Milan Skriniar
Milan Skriniar had a wonderful first season at San Siro, having earnt plaudits from the Inter faithful for his tremendous displays, forming a solid partnership with Brazilian defender Miranda.
Still aged only 23, the Slovakian has enthralled the Italian top division and will look to continue his consistent performances which saw him being linked to Manchester United, earlier this summer.
The signing of Stefan De Vrij means that the Slovakian international will face greater competition for places. But, for the time being, Skriniar would be the first choice and look to help the team by keeping as many clean sheets as possible.
LCB- Miranda
The unsung hero at the back for Atletico Madrid, and now proving his mettle by leading Inter Milan, Miranda's talents were never in doubt. He was a part of the Brazilian World Cup squad which in the end, disappointingly, bowed out in the quarterfinals. But, he was Brazil's best defender on the world's biggest stage.
Miranda was rock solid for Inter last season and will be looking forward to carrying his form into the new campaign. At 33 years of age, the former Atletico man will look to guide the likes of Stefan De Vrij and Milan Skriniar, who could ultimately become the long-term defensive pairing.
LB - Dalbert Henrique
Dalbert Henrique broke through the ranks at Flamengo, but due to a lack of regular game time, switched to Brazilian sides Academico De Viseu and Victoria De Guimaraes. Impressive at both the clubs, Europe came calling for the then 23-year old as he became a household name with French club Nice.
He was an integral part of Lucian Favre's side and made 33 appearances that season. Impressive performances prompted Lucian Spalletti to splash out on the Brazilian left-back.
Although it has been a slow start for the uncapped Brazilian, having made only 13 appearances last season, this time around, the Italian manager has played him in all preseason games and one expects him to start on the left-hand side of defence.
LDM - Borja Valero
Somewhat of a late bloomer, the former Real Madrid youngster Borja Valero has stamped his authority in Serie A, after difficult spells in Spain and England with the likes of Mallorca, West Bromwich Albion and Villarreal.
He spent four fruitful years at Fiorentina, which earned him a move to the San Siro in 2017. Borja is elegant on the ball, recycling the ball between defence and attack. Another season at the heart of the midfield beckons for the Spanish midfielder.
RDM - Matias Vecino
Urugyuan club Nacional has been producing plenty of world-class talents over the last few decades, with Matias Vecino being the latest to join the list. Just like his midfield partner Valero, Vecino has followed a similar career trajectory having joined Fiorentina in 2013 and then Inter in 2017.
These two midfielders have operated together for three years, with two of them coming at Fiorentina and one with the Nerazzurri last season. They will love to mark their four-year partnership with a title. Wouldn't they?
CAM - Radja Nainggolan
It has been a two couple of summers for Roma, losing the core of the team including the likes of Mohammed Salah and Alisson Becker to Liverpool, Antonio Rudiger to Chelsea and now Radja Nainggolan to Inter Milan.
But, the Belgian will be delighted to join hands with his old boss once again. It was Luciano Spalletti who brought the best out of Radja Nainggolan at the Stadio Olimpico, establishing himself as one of the dominant midfielders in the world.
The Belgian international who didn't make the cut for the world cup has a lot to offer to Inter Milan and will be looking forward to marking his debut campaign with solid performances.
LW - Ivan Perisic
Ivan Perisic is a skilful winger who has been admired for trickery at Club Brugge, Wolfsburg, and now Inter Milan. It didn't work out well for the Croatian at Borussia Dortmund where he accused his boss Jurgen Klopp for favouring some players. The current Liverpool boss slammed his comments and eventually fired the winger from Westfalenstadion.
Perisic was also a crucial member of the Croatian side scoring against England and Iceland, as well as in the final against eventual champions France. With three successful years at San Siro, Perisic will be looking to build on his electric displays.
RW - Antonio Candreva
Antonio Candreva in a 54-cap Italian international who caught the attention of the Italian giants with electric performances for Lazio. He caught the eyes of several scouts, but in the end chose Inter Milan, as he decided to take up a new challenge on 2016.
Former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini won the race and secured his signature. He flourished under the former Manchester City boss as he chipped in with 8 goals in his debut season.
Since then, it has been a dry spell in front of goal for Candreva, going without scoring throughout the 2017/18 season for the first time in his career. However, preseason games suggest Spalletti is ready to put his trust in the Italian.
ST - Mauro Icardi
Apart from being one of the best strikers in the world, Icardi is also the leader of the team. The Argentine international has scored a whopping 53 goals in Serie a in the past two seasons and looks likely to carry his red-hot form into the new season.
Since moving to Inter Milan in 2013, Icardi has scored 107 goals in just 182 appearances. With constant links to Real Madrid, Spalletti and Inter Milan are desperate to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
SUBSTITUTES:
The likes of Stefan De Vrij, Keita Balde Diao, Lautaro Martinez, Matteo Politano, Kwadwo Asamoah, Marcelo Brozovic, Roberto Gagliardini, Danilo D'Ambrosio and Daniele Padelli are the players likely to make the bench.
The above list contains some exciting names and as a result, provides a good headache for the Italian manager who wants his side to charge for the league title. With Juventus getting stronger by the day and Roma beginning a new era with some exciting signings, Can Inter roll back the years and become a dominant side in serie a again?
