Inter Milan vs Real Betis – News and Probable Lineups

Inter Milan’s preparations for the upcoming Serie A season are ongoing as they get ready to face Spanish club Real Betis at Stadio Comunale San Nicola on Saturday.

The Italian side heads into this weekend’s match on the back of a 2-1 victory over Juventus on Wednesday, while Real Betis played to a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on August 8.

Match overview

Inter’s encounter with their La Liga rivals will serve as their final friendly before commencing their defense of the Serie A title against Monza on August 22.

The priority for Inter in this transfer window should be to lower the age of their squad, as 10 players were aged 30 or older in the 2025-26 season, and 16 players were at least 28.

Head coach Cristian Chivu has strengthened his squad with the addition of seven players this summer, and the club is believed to still be in search of another midfielder and a defender.

Inter has had a positive pre-season, remaining unbeaten in their four friendly matches, winning three times, including a penalty shootout victory over Manchester City.

Throughout those games, the Nerazzurri managed to score six goals, with two matches seeing them net exactly one goal, while they conceded one goal in each of their four pre-season fixtures.

Real Betis will be strategically preparing for their La Liga opening match against Real Sociedad on August 21, coming off a fantastic 2025-26 season.

The Spanish team finished fifth in the league, securing a spot in the Champions League for the first time in two decades, and they have also had an impressive pre-season.

El Glorioso has triumphed in five of their seven friendlies, suffering only one defeat along the way; they notably overcame Premier League champions Arsenal 3-1 on August 5.

Real Betis scored three or more goals in three of these seven matches and managed to keep their opponents from scoring in four of them.

This Saturday will mark the third encounter between Manuel Pellegrini’s side and Inter; their first match ended in a 1-0 loss for Betis in 2017, while their second meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in 2022.

Team News

The expected loan of midfielder Davide Frattesi to Lazio may pave the way for the acquisition of Curtis Jones; however, with the Liverpool player not yet signed, Aleksandar Stankovic could be joined by Nicolo Barella and Piotr Zielinski in midfield.

In defence, expect to see Alessandro Bastoni partnered with new addition John Stones and veteran Benjamin Pavard in a three-man backline.

Strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram have both returned to training and could see action together this weekend.

Real Betis might deploy a similar starting XI to the one that drew with Bournemouth, likely featuring Nelson Deossa in attack, supported by Antony, Alvaro Fidalgo, and Jose Morante.

Midfielders Facundo Bernal and Marc Roca are also contenders to start ahead of central defenders Diego Llorente and Valentin Gomez.

Inter Milan probable starting XI:

Provedel; Pavard, Stones, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Stankovic, Zielinski, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram

Real Betis probable starting XI:

Gonzalez; Ortiz, Llorente, Gomez, Firpo; Bernal, Rock; Antony, Fidalgo, Morante; Deossa

Given that both teams have had positive pre-seasons, it would be unexpected for the match to be straightforward for either side.

Inter has made significant signings, and these new players may well turn out to be the key difference in the upcoming fixture.