Two of the most underwhelming sides in the Champions League this season will square off at the San Siro. Inter will host Real Madrid in an almost do-or-die Group B fixture.
Both teams are sitting below Monchengladbach and Shaktar in the table after a slow start to the group stage of the competition.
A loss to either side will diminish their hopes of making out of the group this season.
Statistics & Encounters
Real Madrid came out on top in the last game when these two teams met earlier this month. A see-saw game was decided by Rodrygo’s game-winning goal to give Real Madrid a 3-2 victory.
Interestingly enough, Real Madrid has never won at the Meazza in their seven attempts, losing five and drawing twice.
Romelu Lukaku bagged 2 goals for Inter in their last SerieA fixture against Torino. He will be the focal point of this attack against Madrid.
Suspensions and Team News
Daniele Padelli, Marcelo Brozovic, and Aleksandr Kolarov are in quarantine due to the coronavirus.
Stefan De Vrij and Milan Skriniar may return to the lineup alongside Alessandro Bastoni in defense. Brozovic’s absence will force Conte to deploy Gagliardini into a deeper role alongside Barella and Vidal.
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and Valverde are likely to miss this game. Eder Militao and Casemiro face coronavirus tests ahead of the game.
Luka Jovic remains in COVID Protocol.
Probable Line-Ups
Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic, Bastoni, De Vrij, Skriniar, Perisic, Vidal, Gagliardini, Barella, Hakimi, Lukaku, Lautaro
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Militao, Mendy, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Asensio, Diaz, Vinicus Jr.
Prediction
Inter: 2
Real Madrid: 1
Both sides will be poised to win this fixture to keep their CL dreams alive. Both managers should be setting their teams up to attack. With Ramos missing and Lukaku’s recent form gives Inter a slight edge.
Conte will need his players to be firing on all cylinders if they are to register their first Champions League victory of the campaign this week.
