Champions League Preview: Feyenoord vs Inter – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

De Kuip forms the backdrop for the first leg of an exciting UEFA Champions League last-16 tie between Feyenoord and Inter. The Nerazzurri headed to Rotterdam, keen to avoid Milan’s fate and make another step toward reaching the second final in three years.

Legendary Dutch striker Robin Van Persie returned to Feyenoord in a managerial capacity last week. However, his touchline debut didn’t go as expected. Indeed, De Stadionclub shared the spoils with Eredivisie minnows NEC Nijmegen in a scoreless draw on this ground at the weekend.

Coached by interim boss Pascal Bosschaart, Feyenoord overcame Inter’s eternal rivals Milan in the knockout playoff round to reach the round of 16 at Europe’s top table for the first time in 50 years. Facing Inter could evoke more fond memories, knowing Feyenoord defeated the Nerazzurri en route to their 2001/02 UEFA Cup success.

Van Persie came off the bench as a teenage sensation, trying to make a name for himself. Over two decades later, he aims to dump Inter out of European competition again. However, Feyenoord must defy the odds to progress into the quarter-finals against one of the leading title contenders.

Inter didn’t live up to that tag in their last Serie A outing. Despite taking the lead through Federico Dimarco’s sublime free kick, Simone Inzaghi’s charges drew 1-1 at Napoli after failing to produce a single shot in the second half. Nonetheless, they preserved a narrow one-point deficit at the table’s summit.

Back to the Champions League, where they last climbed to the podium in 2010, Inter enter this tie as favorites despite missing several first-team stars. Furthermore, the reigning Scudetto holders haven’t been at their best recently.

Match Preview

Feyenoord

Feyenoord’s form curve has taken an upward trajectory since suffering elimination from the KNVB Beker at the hands of bitter rivals PSV Eindhoven in early February. Though unbeaten in six consecutive games ever since, only three ended in victory, including a 1-0 triumph against Milan in this competition.

As a result, Feyenoord could become only the fourth side to beat both Milan clubs in the same season. They won’t mind facing another Serie A powerhouse, considering their formidable home record against Italian teams in European football (W7, D4, L1), not to mention a three-game winning home streak in the Champions League.

Milan’s fall in De Kuip wasn’t the only standout result Feyenoord have pulled off in Rotterdam this term. Indeed, they stunned runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich 3-0 toward the end of the league phase. New Rossoneri star Santiago Gimenez notched a first-half brace to sweep aside the Bavarians.

Inter

Despite failing to win on their last four road trips (D2, L2) whilst averaging 0.5 goals per game, Inter can draw confidence from their scintillating continental form. A late 1-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 6 remains Inter’s only defeat in this season’s Champions League (W6, D1).

That’s also the only goal they conceded during the league stage, accounting for the best defensive record in Europe’s most prestigious club competition this term. Inzaghi’s men carry an impressive run of just three defeats from their last 23 Champions League matches to Rotterdam (W14, D6).

It bodes well for the visitors’ bid to extend an intimidating 11-game unbeaten streak against Dutch opposition (W7, D4). However, there’s no room for complacency, given that they have failed to get on the scoresheet in two of their last three outings outside the familiar walls of San Siro.

Team News

Significantly weakened by injuries, Feyenoord could take the field without as many as 11 first-team stars. Most notably, striker Ayase Ueda, first-choice goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, captain Quinten Timber, Hwang In-beom, Bart Nieuwkoop, Calvin Stengs, and Gernot Trauner are unavailable for selection.

On the other hand, Inter cannot call upon Carlos Augusto, Matteo Darmian, Nicola Zalewski, and Dimarco. Veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer has recovered from thumb surgery, but Josep Martinez should retain his place between the sticks after three impressive showings in domestic competitions.

Feyenoord vs Inter Potential Starting Line-ups

Feyenoord (4-3-3): Wellenreuther; Mitchell, Beelen, Hancko, Bueno; Ivanusec, Moder, Smal; Hadj Moussa, Carranza, Paixao.

Inter (3-5-2): J. Martinez; Pavard, De Vrij, Acerbi; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Bastoni; L. Martinez, Thuram.

Feyenoord vs Inter Prediction

If there’s a team capable of defying the raucous support at De Kuip, it’s Inter. Another fiercely contested, low-scoring contest could be on the cards, and we can easily envisage a share of the spoils.