Pio Esposito shines amid Inter Milan emergency after Bodo setback

Pio Esposito steps up in Inter Milan emergency after Bodo setback

If there was a silver lining in Norway for Inter Milan, it wore the number of Pio Esposito. 

In a night that delivered more bruises than smiles, the young striker stood tall against Bodo/Glimt defenders, battling physically and scoring the temporary equaliser.

With Lautaro Martinez sidelined through injury, the spotlight now swings decisively toward the 20 year old, who is living the most decisive stretch of his first senior season.

As highlighted by Corriere della Sera via Fcinter1908, Esposito’s recent form is more than promising. “Goal against Juventus, a flying header worthy of a top striker; goal against Bodo, perhaps illusory but record breaking, as no Italian had ever scored in a Champions League match at such a young age, 20 years and 235 days. It is the first time Pio has scored in two consecutive games.”

Responsibility rises as options shrink

The context, however, is one of emergency. Against Lecce, Inter Milan will be without Lautaro and Hakan Calhanoglu, while Nicolo Barella is suspended and Denzel Dumfries is only just returning to training.

Head coach Cristian Chivu, who has known Esposito since his Under 14 days, is leaning on the striker’s steady growth. 

The coach also expects more from the French duo Marcus Thuram and Ange-Yoan Bonny, particularly in the demanding off the ball work required to stretch defences and link midfield runners.

That “dirty work” was missing against Juventus, where Inter Milan’s forwards struggled to offer depth and relieve midfield pressure. It is a physically draining task, one striker dropping deep, the other attacking space. 

Esposito, however, performs it with surprising naturalness. His frame protects the ball, his technique keeps passes clean, and his movement stitches phases together like careful embroidery.

First comes Lecce, a chance to consolidate momentum. Then, 72 hours later, the rematch with the Norwegians.

Pio is ready for overtime. And Inter Milan are ready to ride his momentum.