Here we are. Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in San Siro, Inter-Porto, first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League. The Nerazzurri have not won the quarter-finals of the top European club competition since 2010/11, when they knocked out Bayern almost a year after the 2-0 final win in Madrid. The following year came the knockout against Marseille, and then a year ago elimination by Liverpool. Now a new chance is here.
For INTER – There were a couple of doubts for Simone Inzaghi, who will be without Correa in the attack. His first problem to solve in midfield: Mkhitaryan or Brozovic? The Armenian starts ahead of the Croatian, with Calhanoglu back as regista and the irreplaceable Barella, who missed the double challenge against Klopp last year due to disqualification. Finally in attack, the other doubt to be uncovered: Dzeko or Lukaku? Look for Big Rom to start alongside the untouchable Lautaro in the front line.
For Porto – Former Nerazzurri Sergio Conceiçao, Simone Inzaghi’s team-mate in Lazio, tries to keep his cards clos to his chest. Surprisingly, Uribe, Otavio and Galen appear for the squad who up until yesterday were never in training and have been out for several days. We are close to confirming the canonical 4-4-2, with Carmo or Marcano in defense alongside the eternal Pepe and Taremi in tandem with Toni Martinez.
Probable Formations:
INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lukaku, Lautaro.
PORTO (4-4-2): Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Zaidu; André Franco, Grujic, Eustaquio, Pepé; Taremi, Toni Martinez.
