Inter will start their Champions League campaign against the mighty Real Madrid this Wednesday at the San Siro.
This is the second consecutive campaign in which these two European powerhouses have been drawn in the same group of the competition.
Inter is playing a different brand of football under the new coach, Simone Inzaghi. A very direct and attacking football is something that works well historically against European teams.
Inter have started off well in their Serie A campaign. New arrivals such as Dzeko, Correa, Hakan have settled in well and are contributing in heavy numbers.
Real Madrid has lost some key players during the summer transfer window and will not be the same as last season. Departures of Varane, Ramos will certainly not help their pursuit of another Champions League title.
Despite losing key figures, Real Madrid has kept their shape well. They are looking strong and well managed by the ever-green Carlos Ancelotti.
Inter is coming off of a draw against Sampdoria in the Serie A while Real Madrid downed Celta Vigo 5-2 in the La Liga.
Statistics & Encounters
In 11 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, the record is exactly even. Inter Milan has won five games, lost five, and drawn one.
Inter have lost 4 of their last 5 matches against Real Madrid in European Competitions.
Inter’s last victory against a Spanish team in European competitions came in April 2010.
Carlos Ancelotti has the greatest win percentage (76%) of any manager at a single club in the competition’s history who has managed at least 20 games.
Inter form guide in Serie A: D-W-W
Real Madrid form guide in La Liga: W-W-D-W
Suspensions, Injuries & Team News
Alessandro Bastoni and Stefano Sensi are the latest victims for Inter to hit the injury ward.
The midfielder picked up a knock against Sampdoria in his ever-troubled knee/leg and will be out for a considerable amount of time.
Carlo Ancelotti will be without the services of Dani Ceballos, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and left-backs Ferland Mendy and Marcelo.
Probable Line-ups
Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic, Skriniar, De Vrij, Dimarco, Darmian, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic, Martinez, Dzeko
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Gutierrez, Valverde, Casemiro, Modric, Hazard, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Prediction
Inter: 1
Real Madrid: 1
