Defending Serie A champions Inter entertain Liverpool at Giuseppe Meazza in the first leg of their mouth-watering Champions League last-16 tie. After three failed attempts to make it out of the competition’s group stages, the Nerazzurri are gearing up for their first knock-outs appearance since 2011/12.
After a troublesome start to their European journey, Inter picked themselves up to ensure a runner-up finish in Group D behind Real Madrid. The reigning Serie A title-holders are now gunning for their first Champions League quarter-finals since 2010/11, though overcoming Liverpool would be a Herculean task.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have reached the Champions League knock-outs for the fifth season running. In their last four attempts to advance to the quarter-finals, Liverpool have only failed once. Given the Reds’ European exploits under the German’s stewardship, they head into this tie as favourites to bypass Inter.
Inter vs Liverpool Head-to-Head
The last time Inter faced Liverpool in the Champions League knock-outs, they suffered an epic failure, losing both 2007/08 last-16 legs by an aggregate score of 3-0. But they can draw confidence from winning their first-ever two-legged tie against this opposition in European football, coming out on top of their 1964/65 European Cup semi-final showdown.
Despite Inter’s underdog status here, head coach Simone Inzaghi believes his men could tip the scales in their favour (via The Guardian).
Inter Preview
A brace of two-goal margin triumphs over the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk and Sheriff Tiraspol in their last two Champions League home outings have seen Inter pick up one more home European win than they had managed in their previous nine such fixtures (D3, L5). But to keep that form going, the Nerazzurri will have to defy their underwhelming Champions League record against Premier League sides of late.
Since the introduction of the new Champions League format back in 2003/04, Inter have bowed out twice from their three knock-out ties against English clubs in the competition, courtesy of the 2009/10 elimination of Chelsea. On the bright side, though, they have won their last three Champions League home meetings with Premier League teams, netting 2+ goals on each occasion.
It will likely be up to Lautaro Martinez to drive Inter forward here, though the Argentine star has recently failed to live up to expectations in the Champions League. After scoring five times in his first five starts in the competition for the Nerazzurri, the 24-year-old has only found the net once in his last 12 starts.
Liverpool Preview
Liverpool have been nothing short of outstanding in Europe this season. They have progressed into the Champions League last-16 as one of only three sides to have won all six group fixtures, including a pair of come-from-behind victories over Inter’s bitter rivals Milan. The Reds could become only the second team in the Champions League history to beat both Milan clubs in a single season.
Liverpool’s recent visits to Italy bring up fond memories, with the Merseyside outfit winning their last two Champions League games in the country. Curiously, that is just one win fewer than they had in their previous 14 UEFA-sanctioned away match-ups with Serie A clubs (D3, L8). There’s a piece of history for Klopp to take here, as he could become only the eighth manager to achieve a 50-win milestone in the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah could be the architect of Klopp’s potential success in Lombardy. The Egyptian superstar has tallied 32 goals in 49 Champions League appearances for Liverpool, while his stunning domestic form continues to amaze this season. Salah tops the scoring charts in the Premier League with 16 goals under his belt.
Inter vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups
Inter (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Arturo Vidal, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ivan Perisic; Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara; Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane.