Champions League team news and prediction: Inter vs Real Madrid
Inter are aware they need to win here if they are to harbour any hopes of progressing to the next round of the Champions League. The Italian side have faltered in European action so far, but tonight's opponents Real Madrid have hardly covered themselves in glory. The pair were favourites to progress to the next round of the competition from Group B, yet have struggled for form in Europe's elite club competition.
Ahead of tonight's crunch Champions League clash in Milan, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including their group stage so far, team news and predicted XIs.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 25th November, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
San Siro, Milan
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport ESPN
Group Stage So Far
Hosts Inter have struggled in the group stages of the Champions League and currently foot Group B. Antonio Conte oversaw back-to-back draws with Gladbach and Shakhtar to kick off their group stage campaign, needing a late Romelu Lukaku goal to rescue a point against the former, before falling to a 3-2 defeat in Spain earlier this month as Rodrygo's late goal proved decisive.
Real Madrid sit two points and two places above Inter in Group B. Los Blancos lost 3-2 to Shakhtar on home turf to kick off their Champions League campaign in one of the upsets of the group stages. Like Inter, Real Madrid needed a late equaliser against Gladbach to secure a point against the German side, but a 3-2 win over Inter in Madrid earlier this month means the sit just a point off top spot.
Team News
Marcelo Brozovic and Aleksandar Kolarov both tested positive for COVID-19 over the international break and are expected to miss the welcome for Real Madrid, while Matias Vecino, Stefano Sensi and Andrea Pinamonti are absent. However, better news for Inter is that Romelu Lukaku is available after he missed the reverse fixture. The Belgian scored two and assisted two at the weekend and comes into the clash in good form.
Real Madrid are without centre-back Sergio Ramos in Milan, which is a huge blow for Los Blancos, and with Eder Militao absent, Nacho is expected to partner Raphael Varane at the heart of the defence. Casemiro is back for Zinedine Zidane's side, and that's a boost. However, in attack Zidane is short of options with Karim Benzema and Luka Jovic out, while Federico Valverde and Alvaro Odriozola are sidelined. Mariano deputised for Benzema over the weekend, though Eden Hazard may take up a false nine role in Milan.
Probable XIs
Inter (352) - Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Gagliardini, Vidal, Young; Martinez, Lukaku
Real Madrid (4231) - Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos; Vazquez, Odegaard, Vinicius Junior; Hazard
Key Battle - Arturo Vidal vs Casemiro
Arturo Vidal has become a key man under Antonio Conte on the back of his summer arrival from Barcelona, with the Inter boss keeping faith with his trusted lieutenant. The Chilean may not have the same drive as he did during their time together with Juventus, but Vidal remains one who isn't afraid to get stuck in as noted in his return of 4.2 tackles per 90 in the Champions League this season.
Casemiro played a vital role for Real Madrid in their 2-2 draw with Gladbach, providing the assist for Karim Benzema before netting an injury time equaliser against the German side, but it is his work off the ball that will be key here. With Romelu Lukaku back available for Conte, the Brazilian workhorse needs to keep the ball as far from the in-form Belgian as possible or Real Madrid run the risk of being leapfrogged by Inter in Group B.
Prediction: Inter 2-0 Real Madrid
