Inter Milan kick off 2026 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday with a home clash against Bologna in a Serie A encounter.
Inter Milan vs Bologna – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 4th January.
- Kick-off: 7:45pm BST
- Venue: San Siro, Milan.
Inter Milan team news
Inter will be without several key players for the Bologna fixture. Veteran centre-back Francesco Acerbi, despite returning to training this week after a thigh injury suffered against Liverpool in December, will not feature as he continues his recovery.
Ange-Yoan Bonny also remains sidelined with a knee injury sustained during the Supercoppa Italiana campaign. Elsewhere, the defensive injuries to Denzel Dumfries (ankle surgery) and Matteo Darmian (calf strain) will continue to hamper Chivu’s squad options, though Darmian is nearing a comeback.
On a more positive front, Hakan Calhanoglu is expected to return to full availability after missing the recent Atalanta fixture through a minor thigh issue.
Lautaro Martinez remains in exceptional form. He has scored five goals in Inter’s last four league matches, including the decisive goal against Atalanta just days ago. The Argentine captain has scored in four consecutive league matches for the first time since 2021, establishing himself as the league’s leading scorer with nine goals from 16 matches.
Bologna team news
Bologna face their own injury concerns heading into San Siro. Goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski remains unavailable with a muscle injury and is not expected to return until mid-January, meaning Federico Ravaglia will continue as the primary custodian.
Federico Bernardeschi continues to be sidelined with a muscle injury, limiting the attacking options available to manager Vincenzo Italiano.
The positive news for Bologna centres on the availability of key offensive players. Santiago Castro, the Argentine forward who impressed with three goals scored away from home, is anticipated to be included in the squad and featured prominently in recent training sessions. Giovanni Fabbian, the former Inter academy product, will make an emotional return to San Siro where he spent his formative years as an academy player.
Form
Inter Milan
Cristian Chivu’s side concluded 2025 in commanding fashion, finishing atop Serie A with 36 points from 16 matches.
The Nerazzurri secured their fourth consecutive league victory with a 1-0 triumph over Atalanta in Bergamo in their last match, extending an impressive record that includes wins against Pisa, Como, and Genoa.
Bologna
Bologna’s recent form has been inconsistent, with Vincenzo Italiano’s side winless in their last four league matches.
Following a 3-0 victory over Udinese on November 22, the Rossoblù have suffered losses to Cremonese and Juventus while drawing with Lazio and most recently with Sassuolo.
The 1-1 draw against Sassuolo on December 28 saw Giovanni Fabbian equalise in the 47th minute, though the draw extended Bologna’s struggle for consistency.
Predicted lineups
Inter Milan: Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Bologna: Ravaglia; Holm, Heggem, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Fabbian, Cambiaghi; Castro
How to watch Inter Milan vs Bologna?
In the UK, Inter Milan vs Bologna will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and DAZN.
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