Inter Face Shakhtar Without Lautaro as Chivu Weighs Lineup Options

Inter enter matchday three of the Champions League league phase under mounting pressure to collect maximum points. The Italian side are still waiting for their first victory in this season's European campaign, making the upcoming encounter against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk an important fixture in their continental journey. Preparations for the clash have been complicated by the confirmed absence of star striker Lautaro Martinez. Without the Argentine forward available, head coach Cristian Chivu must resolve several selection dilemmas in his squad. The primary debate in attack centres on whether to award a starting role to Bonny or hand the responsibility to young forward Pio Esposito to spearhead the offensive line. Further adjustments are anticipated throughout the team, including between the posts where Josep Martinez is widely tipped to get the nod. On the opposing bench, Arda Turan will lead Shakhtar into the contest, hoping to exploit the hosts' selection headaches and secure a positive result away from home in this critical European showdown.