Inter Milan will host FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 as the Nerazzuri look to go deep in the competition.
San Siro plays host to another Champions League clash in a span of a week after AC Milan were victorious against Tottenham. This time, Inter Milan will host FC Porto here, with Simone Inzaghi hoping for a similar result to their arch-rivals.
Inzaghi will want his team to show grit and carry the momentum achieved during the group stages. Back then, Inter finished second in a three-horse race to qualify alongside Bayern Munich at the expense of Barcelona, who are now fighting to stay relevant via the Europa League.
๐ @ChampionsLeague ๐ช#InterPorto #UCL #ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/OKgwU7CaHF
— Inter (@Inter_en) February 21, 2023
Inter Milan have a bit of momentum from their weekend’s clash with Udinese, as goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Lautaro Martinez, and Romelu Lukaku sealed the three points. While Napoli continues to lead the pack in Serie A, the Champions League may prove the only way for Inter Milan to succeed in the season.
On the other hand, FC Porto also had to endure a three-way battle to qualify for the last 16 of the competition. There, the Portuguese side had to deal with Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen and came out on top as overwhelming favourites Club Brugge surprisingly finished in the second spot.
Porto topped the group despite losing their opening two games, including a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Club Brugge. But, after four wins as many games after that, they finished on top and now have a huge task against Inter on their hands.
Sergio Conceicao’s side hopes to go deep in this competition. Meanwhile, domestically they languish in the second spot, some five points behind leaders Benfica. The coming time will tell if the pressure gets to them between choosing domestic or European ambitions, but they are set for a cracker of a game at the San Siro.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi will have a full squad to choose from ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash, with Joaquin Correa, the only absentee with a thigh injury. The manager also rested a few key stars for the weekend’s clash with Udinese, meaning he will have fresh legs for the Porto game.
Qualification sealed with a game to spare ๐ #UCL #ForzaInter
— Inter (@Inter_en) February 20, 2023
Milan Skriniar will come into contention after Matteo Darmian took his place in the back three. Francesco Acerbi and Allesandro Bastoni will partner with the Slovak in central defence, as Inzaghi will keep his team’s shape.
Despite scoring at the weekend, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is unlikely to make the cut into the starting lineup, with Hakan Calhanoglu set to take his place at the base of midfield. He could have Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolo Batella on either side, with Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco as wing-backs.
In the attack, Inzaghi would prefer to retain the two-prone style, but Edin Dzeko could return to the bench. A well-rested Lautaro Martinez could partner Romelu Lukaku up front, with the Belgian slowly regaining his old form for the club.
Probable lineup (3-5-2):ย Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Brozovic, Dimarco; Lukaku, Martinez
FC Porto
Unlike Inter Milan, FC Porto have a raft of injury-led absentees, with as many as eight players with major doubts about the clash. Evanilson, Fabio Cardoso, Gabriel Veron, and Francisco Meixedo are definitely missing the clash. Others like Mateus Uribe, Galeno, Toni Martinez and Otavio are huge doubts.
๐๐๐๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐จ ๐ซ #FCIMFCP #UCL pic.twitter.com/Gc1akxxpLw
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) February 21, 2023
Martinez was forced off late at the weekend, which casts doubt over his involvement so soon in midweek. Yet, Sergio Conceicao will look to field a strong lineup to face Inter while maintaining their attacking shape with a back four in place.
Diogo Costa is firmly settled between the sticks, with a back four of Zaidu Sanusi, David Carmo, Pepe and Joao Mario. Former Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic will sit at the base of the midfield while having Andre Franco and Pepe Aquino on either side.
Stephen Estaquio remains best placed to start in the advanced midfield position behind the front two. Mehdi Taremi will be preferred to lead the line for Porto and will have Daniel Namoso as his partner upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2):ย Costa; Zaidu, Carmo, Pepe, Mario; Franco, Grujic, Pepe; Estaquio; Taremi, Namaso
Key Stats
- Inter Milan are on a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
- Inter Milan and FC Porto have not met since 2005.
- Inter Milan have won 11 of their last 12 home games in all competitions.
- FC Porto are unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions.
- FC Porto have won their last four matches in the Champions League.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
๐ค#ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/rHglNfycPb
— Inter (@Inter) February 20, 2023
Lukaku finds himself in an ardent process to restore his relevance as one of the fiercest strikers in Europe. The Belgian lost his place in the Inter Milan side after a raft of injury and fitness concerns troubling the forward since the season began.
A goal, albeit from the penalty spot against Udinese, will have restored some confidence in the forward ahead of a crucial period this season. A good performance against Porto will go a long way toward convincing himself and those in charge of the club to retain him beyond the summer amid uncertainties surrounding his future.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-1 FC Porto
There is no clear way to determine how many goals will be scored. But Inter Milan have some momentum heading into this game. Porto come here with an incredible streak of 22 games unbeaten in all competitions. But they have a raft of injuries that could derail that run.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan have no injuries, and their forwards are coming back into form at the right time. Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku could benefit from a growing understanding, which may hurt Porto. Hence, the Nerazzurri could take a win and head to Portugal with an aggregate lead.
