Inter Milan will pursue their first win of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League when they face Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday night.
After a hard-fought draw in their Champions League opener, Inter Milan will aim to secure their first win of the league phase when they host Crvena Zvezda at San Siro on Tuesday. Inter have been a dominant force at home, while the visitors continue to search for their first away victory in UEFA’s top club competition since the European Cup era concluded.
Inter, runners-up to Manchester City in the 2023 final, showcased their defensive prowess against the English champions in their opening match of the current season. By implementing a solid game plan, Simone Inzaghi’s side managed to become only the second team to prevent a Pep Guardiola-coached Manchester City from scoring at home in the Champions League.
The three-time European champions have kept an impressive 13 clean sheets in their last 22 top-level matches, the highest by any club since the 2022/23 season, and they have lost just two of their last 16 encounters.
Inter’s record at home in the Champions League is formidable, as they are unbeaten in their last nine home games — a run that marks their best since defeating Bayern Munich in the 2010 final. However, before their recent 3-2 victory in Udine, Inter had not secured a win in three outings, including a disappointing loss to AC Milan in the derby.
In their latest match, Davide Frattesi calmed any nerves by scoring within the first minute, and captain Lautaro Martinez added two goals, helping the Nerazzurri bounce back from their earlier defeat.
In their previous meetings with Crvena Zvezda, Inter Milan progressed with a 2-1 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals of the 1980/81 European Cup. Meanwhile, Crvena Zvezda have struggled against Serie A teams recently, failing to win any of their last eight encounters against clubs from Italy, a streak that dates back to December 2005.
Despite finishing fourth in their group last season and losing five out of six games, the Serbian side rebounded to claim their seventh consecutive domestic league title before beating Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League playoffs to secure their place in this year’s league phase.
Crvena Zvezda faced a tough start this season, losing 2-1 to Benfica in their opening match, but responded with a historic 4-0 victory over their local rivals, Partizan Belgrade. With eight wins from their first nine league matches this season, scoring 27 goals and conceding only five, they currently sit atop the Serbian league standings.
However, replicating this strong domestic form in Europe remains a challenge, as they have yet to secure an away win in the Champions League, losing all nine of their away fixtures to date. The Hard Tackle explores the possible lineups and strategies for this much-awaited match.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Inter Milan’s primary concern ahead of their first Champions League home fixture is the fitness of influential midfielder Nicolo Barella, who was sidelined due to a thigh injury at the weekend. If Barella is unable to recover in time for Tuesday’s clash against Crvena Zvezda, either Piotr Zielinski or Davide Frattesi is expected to step in. Additionally, Canadian international Tajon Buchanan remains the only confirmed absentee for the hosts.
Head coach Simone Inzaghi may consider rotating his squad with a tough league match against Torino coming up. However, any lineup he selects will feature significant experience. The average age of Inter’s starting XI during their recent match against Manchester City was 29 years and 363 days, making it the second oldest of any team on the opening matchday of the Champions League.
In the 3-5-2 formation, Yann Sommer will occupy the goalkeeping position, supported by Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni in defence. The midfield will consist of Denzel Dumfries, Piotr Zielinski, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Federico Dimarco. Finally, the attacking duo will feature Mehdi Taremi and Lautaro Martinez at the forefront of the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Zielinski, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Taremi, Martinez
Crvena Zvezda
Crvena Zvezda will head into their match against Inter Milan without the services of Ognjen Mimovic (foot) and long-term absentee Vladimir Lucic (knee). In the central midfield, Rade Krunic, who returns to San Siro after previously winning the Scudetto with AC Milan in 2022, will pair up with Timi Elsnik. This duo will be tasked with the critical role of keeping the Nerazzurri at bay.
Elsnik had an impressive performance against Benfica, where he created the most chances (four), completed the highest number of passes (58), and made 16 line-breaking passes. Additionally, he recovered possession eight times, more than any other player on the Crvena Zvezda squad. Up front, Cherif Ndiaye, who is in contention for a starting spot, recently scored a hat-trick in the Eternal Derby and is currently the visitors’ top scorer this season with seven goals.
In the 4-2-3-1 formation, Omri Glazer will take up the goalkeeping position, shielded by defenders Seol Young-woo, Nasser Djiga, Uros Spajic, and Milan Rodic. In midfield, Rade Krunic and Timi Elsnik will work together to control the game. The attacking trio will include Silas, Mirko Ivanic, and Felicio Milson, supporting Cherif Ndiaye, who will lead the attack as the lone striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Glazer; Seol, Djiga, Spajic, Rodic; Krunic, Elsnik; Silas, Ivanic, Milson; Ndiaye
Key Stats
- Inter Milan and Crvena Zvezda have faced each other twice in European competition, with Inter progressing 2-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the 1980/81 European Cup (drawing 1-1 at home and winning 1-0 away).
- Including qualifiers, Crvena Zvezda has not won any of their last eight matches against Italian sides in European competition, with four draws and four losses. Their last victory against an Italian team was in December 2005, in a 3-1 win against Roma in the UEFA Cup group stages.
- This will only be the second time this century that an Italian side has faced a Serbian side in a UEFA Champions League campaign, following Napoli’s matches against Crvena Zvezda in the 2018/19 group stage.
- Inter Milan is unbeaten in their last nine home games in the UEFA Champions League, winning seven and drawing two. Their last such streak lasted ten matches without defeat between February 2009 and November 2010, during which they lifted the trophy in 2010.
- Crvena Zvezda has lost all nine of their away matches in the UEFA Champions League since 1992/93. They are tied with AEK Athens and APOEL Nicosia for the most away matches in the competition without managing a single victory.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez will be a crucial player for Inter Milan in their upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Crvena Zvezda. The Argentine forward has been instrumental for the Nerazzurri, showcasing his exceptional skills and goal-scoring ability. His versatility allows him to play as both a central striker and a winger, making him a constant threat in various attacking situations.
The Argentine’s form has been impressive, and he is known for his clinical finishing and ability to create chances for his teammates. With the pressure of securing a win in the Champions League, his ability to convert opportunities into goals will be pivotal for Inter Milan’s success in the match.
In the previous league encounter, Martinez found the back of the net twice, illustrating his importance to the team and his capacity to step up in critical moments. His chemistry with fellow attackers, such as Marcus Thuram and Mehdi Taremi, enhances Inter’s offensive dynamics, making it difficult for defences to contain their attacking plays.
Furthermore, Martinez’s experience in high-stakes matches, including his performance in the Champions League last season, positions him as a leader on the pitch. As Inter Milan aims to secure their first victory in this season’s Champions League phase, expect Martinez to be at the forefront, influencing the game with his movements, passing, and finishing prowess.
Prediction
Inter Milan 3-0 Crvena Zvezda
Given Inter Milan’s formidable home record and Crvena Zvezda’s struggles on the road in the UEFA Champions League, it is hard for the hosts to see past a comfortable win. With Lautaro Martinez picking up form and considering the Nerazzurri’s strong defensive unit, Simone Inzaghi’s side should have enough firepower to dominate proceedings. Crvena Zvezda’s away struggles in Europe, coupled with Inter’s solidity at home, point toward a convincing 3-0 victory for the Italian giants.
