Champions League PREVIEW | Inter v Feyenoord | OneFootball

Feyenoord face a near-improbable task of qualifying to the Champions League last-8 as they travel to Inter with a two-goal deficit on aggregate.

Despite Timon Wellenreuther saving Piotr Zielinski’s penalty, Inter managed to stage a 2-0 result at the end thanks to goals from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez in the first-leg. While the Dutch outfits reached the Round of 16 through playoffs, Inter qualified directly after finishing fourth in the league phase.

The Nerazzurri are the current league leaders of the Serie A but their position is challenged by Napoli, who are just within touching distance. Atalanta blew the title race wide open after securing a victory over Juventus recently as they are now three points away from top spot.

Simone Inzaghi’s men found some breathing space after their 3-2 win against Monza but any slip up could prove disastrous for them and potentially hand over the driving seat to any other side.

Meanwhile, Feyenoord have a monumental job of overturning the deficit and taking the lead on aggregate at the San Siro. The Dutch side are winless in their last eight away games against Italian opposition. While they beat AC Milan in the playoffs, Inter have proved to be a much bigger challenge for them so far.

Plagued by injuries and an underwhelming style of gameplay, Feyenoord have fallen out of the race for the Eredivisie this season and they are 16 points off from the top spot. Manager Robin Van Persie got the weekend off from the Dutch FA to prepare his side for the Champions League clash and he is set to have a refreshed side tonight at Milan.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions

Inter:

W W D W W

Feyenoord:

L D W D D

Team News

Inter will be without Matteo Darmian, Federico Dimarco and Nicola Zalewski. Carlos Augusto featured in the second-half against Monza and could start tonight.

Yann Sommer has recovered and can start over Josep Martinez.

As for Feyenoord, Hwang In-beom, Bart Nieuwkoop, Gernot Trauner, Calvin Stengs, goalkeeper Justin Bijlow and captain Quinten Timber are out of action.

Igor Paixao is set to support Julian Carranza up front.

Predicted XIs

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; L. Martinez, Thuram.

Feyenoord (4-2-3-1): Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, Bueno; Moder, Smal; Hadj Moussa, Paixao, Ivanusec; Carranza.

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN