Inter Milan’s head coach, Cristian Chivu, has chosen to include Petar Sucic and Luis Henrique in the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund during Matchday 8 of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League season.
The official lineups for the highly anticipated match, scheduled to kick off at 21:00 CET in Dortmund, have been released.
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Inter Milan faces a critical situation after dropping nine points over their last three European outings against Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
The Nerazzurri must secure a victory, as their goal of finishing in the top eight is at stake.
In addition, Cristian Chivu is without key midfielder Nicolo Barella, who is sidelined with an injury sustained just days before the team heads to Signal Iduna Park.
This injury has necessitated a change in Chivu’s lineup for tonight’s match.
Inter Milan vs Borussia Dortmund – Petar Sucic Secures Consecutive Champions League Starts
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 20: Petar Sucic of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match against Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on January 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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After a strong beginning at San Siro, Petar Sucic has found himself lower in the lineup hierarchy.
Nevertheless, the Croatian midfielder has shown signs of resurgence, particularly in light of Hakan Calhanoglu’s absence, and is reclaiming his spot in the squad.
While he has participated in all six Champions League fixtures this season, the 22-year-old has only made two starts until now.
Upon scoring a magnificent equalizer against Arsenal in last week’s 3-1 loss, Sucic has earned his place alongside Piotr Zielinski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in midfield.
Chivu Sticks with Luis Henrique against Borussia Dortmund
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Luis Henrique of Internazionale gestures to the supporters at the conclusion of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 21, 2025, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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The focal point of discussion revolves around the right flank, where Luis Henrique remains Chivu’s preferred choice to fill in for Denzel Dumfries.
Even with Matteo Darmian’s return, the Brazilian continues to be the first choice on the right, leading to Andy Diouf starting on the bench.
Additionally, Federico Dimarco is positioned on the left wing instead of Carlos Augusto.
Defensively, Chivu opts for youth, with Yann Bisseck featured between Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Akanji, leaving Francesco Acerbi on the bench.
Moreover, Sucic joins Mkhitaryan and Zielinski in the midfield, as the Polish player takes on the role of a deep-lying playmaker, previously held by Calhanoglu.
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Up front, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Marcus Thuram lead the attack despite the latter’s recent struggles in form.
Inter Milan vs Arsenal – Official Starting Lineups: Sucic & Henrique to Start
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 20: Petar Sucic of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after netting his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match against Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on January 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
BORUSSIA DORTMUND (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Mane, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Bensebaini; Adeyemi, Beier; Guirassy.
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Bench: Meyer, Ostrzinski, Emre Can, Couto, Kabar, Chukwuemeka, Brandt, Fabio Silva.
Coach: Kovac.
Suspended: Svensson (1).
Unavailable: Süle, Özcan, Sabitzer.
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Sucic, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Bonny.
Bench: Martinez, Taho, Acerbi, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto, Darmian, Cocchi, Bovo, Frattesi, Diouf, Lautaro, Esposito.
Coach: Chivu.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Di Gennaro, Dumfries, Calhanoglu, Barella.