I don't think Miranda was going to start anyway, but if Brozovic misses the game that's a big blow for them. Especially if Nainggolan misses also. Their midfield would be Vecino, Gagliardini and Joao Mario most likely with only Borja Valero as a sub. Or am I missing someone?
Perisic is back and he's by far their most threatening player. Will probably be Politano on the other side with Lautaro up front.
Not sure who their fullbacks will be but definitely Skriniar and De Vrij at the back.
Seems like an ok 11, but we should be favorites all things considered. We have major issues going forward but we have Piatek, and watching Inter the past few weeks they have been just as bad. The difference is that we have a much better defensive organization. I wouldn't mind a game where we cede possession and hit them on the break. They will not break us down especially without Icardi.
Based on how other top teams have challenged us their gameplan will be to rush Bakayoko during transitions and counterpress him specifically with more than one player, preferably two or more coming in different directions. I really hope Gattuso has been working on this with Bakayoko. He needs to sense when this is about to happen and just pass back without turning into trouble. Other than this i'm not worried about much. We have a great option of finding space behind their midfield duo during breaks, with Paqueta especially and also Kessie taking advantage. Hope we don't decide to play the usual gameplan of playing the ball wide and then aiming a cross into Piatek or into the far post. Won't work with Skriniar and De Vrij back there although Suso usually has a good day against Asamoah. Maybe a trademark Suso shot is a good option? Joao Mario and Perisic don't track back as much and their midfield will be busy with Kessie and Paqueta so Suso will have lots of room.
My guess is a narrow win and Suso with the goal, or maybe Piatek off a rebound from a Suso shot.
Also, the fact that Inter will be playing midweek without midfielders is going to be huge. I doubt they're going to rotate much. Lautaro won't play for suspension (I think) and most likely they'll play Borja Valero, but at least two midfielders will play both games. They'll have to play Keita up front so most likely Perisic also starts? I don't know. Either they fold in the Europa League and play a fully rotated side or they risk playing some starters like Perisic and have them exhausted for the derby. Imagine if they play extra time too...
