Stones tipped to make first Inter Serie A start as Chivu gets Dimarco boost

MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 22: John Stones of Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, ex-Manchester City defender John Stones is expected to start his first Serie A game for Inter against Udinese on Monday, while Federico Dimarco completed a full training session with the team today.

England international Stones is expected to make his Serie A debut as a starter in Inter’s next match, according to Gazzetta. The defending Serie A champions will host Udinese at San Siro next Monday in the final Round 4 game.

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Stones expected to start first Inter game v. Udinese

Stones joined Inter on a free transfer after the end of his Manchester City contract in July and has made three appearances across all competitions so far, all as a substitute.

The 32-year-old made his Serie A debut in the first game of the season against Monza and was also introduced from the bench in Inter’s recent 2-1 Champions League loss against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.

According to Gazzetta, Inter coach Cristian Chivu will likely start both Manuel Akanji and Stones in the Nerazzurri’s back three on Monday evening, while Curtis Jones and Petar Sucic will compete for a starting spot in central midfield.

Federico Dimarco is expected to be available, but Carlos Augusto remains the favourite to start as a left wing-back.

Dimarco missed Tuesday’s Champions League match against Real Madrid, but, according to Sky, he completed a full training session with the team today.

After the Udinese game, Inter will travel to Roma to face the Giallorossi on Saturday, September 19.

Chivu will provide the latest team news at a press conference tomorrow, Sunday, September 13, at 14:00 CET [13:00 BST].