Inter Milan host Real Sociedad in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, looking to book their place in the Round of 16 as the group winners.
Inter Milan and Real Sociedad have picked up 11 points from five group games, and Tuesday’s clash will determine who comes out on top. Progressing as the group winners could result in a favourable fixture in the next stage. So, Inter Milan will be desperate to win here.
The Nerazzurri are coming into the game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Real Sociedad are in similar form as well, and it will be interesting to see which of the two teams can grind out a positive result here.
They are quite evenly matched in current form and they will be hard to separate here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides this midweek.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
The home team will be without Benjamin Pavard (knee), Stefan de Vrij (muscle), and Denzel Dumfries (muscle) because of their respective fitness issues. They are likely to start in a 3-5-2 formation, with Emil Audero in goal.
In the back three, Yann Bisseck will start alongside Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni. Juan Cuadrado and Carlos Augusto will start as the wing-backs, and they will look to add creativity and defensive cover to the side.
As for the midfield unit, Davide Frattesi, Kristjan Asllani and Stefan Sensi will add creativity and control in the middle of the park. Finally, Marko Arnautovic will lead the line for Inter Milan against Real Sociedad alongside Alexis Sanchez.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Audero; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Cuadrado, Frattesi, Asllani, Sensi, Augusto; Arnautovic, Sanchez
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad will be without Mohamed Ali-Cho (muscle), Brais Mendez (arm) and Ander Barrenetxea (ankle) for the trip to Italy. Mendez’s absence, in particular, is a big blow for the away side.
They are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alex Remiro in goal. Alvaro Odriozola and Kieran Tierney will start as the full-backs here, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Martin Zubeldia will start in central defence along with Jon Pacheco.
In the midfield, Martin Zubimendi will start alongside Mikel Merino, and the two players will look to add defensive cover and control to the side. Meanwhile, in Brais Mendez’s absence, Benat Turrientes will start alongside Zubimendi and Merino and he will look to add creativity.
Andre Silva will lead the line for the away side with Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal on either side of him. Kubo and Oyarzabal will look to add creativity and goals from the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Remiro; Odriozola, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Tierney; Zubimendi, Merino, Turrientes; Kubo, Silva, Oyarzabal
Key Stats
- Inter Milan and Real Sociedad are unbeaten in the last six matches across all competitions.
- Both teams have picked up three wins from their last six matches across all competitions.
- Inter Milan have scored 14 goals in the last six outings.
- Real Sociedad have scored 10 goals in their last six outings.
- The last time these two sides met, they played out a 1-1 draw.
Player to Watch
Martin Zubimendi
The Spanish attacking midfielder is our key player to watch out for. He has been outstanding in the UEFA Champions League this season, doing his burgeoning reputation a world of good with exploits in Europe.
Zubimendi will look to keep the Inter Milan attackers quiet with his reading of the game and rugged defensive style. He will be responsible for keeping things tight in the middle of the park and look to set the base for Real Sociedad getting the better of Inter Milan.
Prediction
Inter Milan 1-1 Real Sociedad
Both Inter Milan and Real Sociedad are in impressive form right now, and Tuesday’s fixture is likely to be a close contest. Neither side prefer to sit back and defend, and this could be an open game with a fair few chances.
It is fair to assume that both teams are likely to get on the score sheet here. But they could end up cancelling each other out. The Hard Tackle predicts Inter Milan and Real Sociedad to share the spoils here in a 1-1 draw.