Date: Tuesday 20th February, 2024
Time: 9:00 pm
Stadium Giuseppe Meazza
Referee Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
Goal Scorer:
Inter Milan
The Nerazzurri thrashed Salernitana 4-0 at the weekend, opening up a nine point lead over the chasing pack at the head of the Serie A standings. Simone Inzaghi certainly had an eye on this clash as he rested first choice wing-backs Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco at the weekend.
The duo is expected to return in what should be a full-strength Inter playing XI. Davide Frattesi is not yet completely fit but should make the bench while the only other injured star, Juan Cuadrado, was taken off the UEFA Champions League squad ahead of the knockout rounds.
If there is one thing people can be certain of about Inter is that they will retain the 3-5-2 formation come rain or sunshine under Inzaghi. Yann Sommer should start in goal behind the back three of Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni. Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco should reprise their roles as wing-backs, with energy to burn following a well-earned rest
Hakan Calhanoglu should hold the fort in the middle of the park, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nicolo Barella pushing forward when needed. Lautaro Martinez will lead the line, with the impressive Marcus Thuram alongside him. Both strikers found the net at the weekend and will hope to catch Atletico Madrid cold.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone and Co. have not enjoyed the best of seasons domestically and are some distance off the title race for La Liga. However, they have shown better results in cup competitions and are well and alive in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.
The visitors will be without Gabriel Paulista, Thomas Lemar, and Cesar Azpilicueta. Alvaro Morata was withdrawn against Sevilla with a knee injury, and he is unlikely to be fit in time for star in Italy.
Memphis Depay is striking a rich vein of form at the right time, while Marcos Llorente and Angel Correa found the net at the weekend. Atletico Madrid have reasons to be hopeful that they can come away with a positive result.
The 3-5-2 formation appears to be the way forward for Atletico Madrid on the night. Jan Oblak should start in goal and will be protected by the back three of Stefan Savic, Axel Witsel, and Mario Hermoso. Marcos Llorente and Samuel Lino should provide the width from the wing-back spot.
The trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Koke, and Lucas Barrios should form the midfield trio and will hope to control the pace of the game on the night. Antoine Griezmann will play between the lines as Atletico’s chief creator, while Memphis Depay will come in for Morata.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Hermoso; Llorente, Barrios, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Depay
Prediction: Inter Milan 1-1 Atletico Madrid
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