Inter Milan will face Monaco at the iconic San Siro on Wednesday, as both teams vie for a direct route into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. With playoff positions on the line, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter.
As the eighth matchday approaches, Inter Milan find themselves in a strong position, sitting comfortably within the top eight of the Champions League standings. They have accumulated 16 points from their previous matches, with a solid record that includes four wins and one loss. A draw in this fixture would be sufficient for them to secure a place in the last 16, while a victory could further solidify their standing.
In contrast, AS Monaco enter the match needing a significant performance to keep their hopes alive. Currently positioned 10th in the standings with 13 points, they are level with Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the final playoff spot. A win by two clear goals would not only elevate Monaco above Inter but also guarantee their passage into the knockout rounds.
Inter have been enjoying a successful spell recently, highlighted by their impressive 4-0 victory over Lecce in Serie A. This followed a narrow 1-0 win against Sparta Prague in the Champions League, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure. The Nerazzurri have been particularly formidable at home, boasting an unbeaten streak of 12 matches in Champions League fixtures at San Siro.
Defensively, Inter have been exceptional, recording five consecutive clean sheets at home in European competitions. They have conceded only one goal throughout the league phase, showcasing their defensive solidity as they prepare to face Monaco.
Monaco, on the other hand, are coming off a much-needed victory against Aston Villa and a subsequent win over Rennes in Ligue 1. These results have revitalized their campaign after a string of disappointing performances. However, they face an uphill battle against Inter, especially considering their historical struggles at San Siro.
For Inter Milan, Hakan Calhanoglu has been pivotal in their Champions League campaign but will miss this match due to a calf injury. His absence could shift the focus onto players like Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella to lead the attack and maintain offensive pressure. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer has also been instrumental in keeping clean sheets and will look to extend his impressive record.
Monaco’s attack will rely heavily on players like Breel Embolo and Aleksandr Golovin to create scoring opportunities. However, they may be without key forwards Folarin Balogun and George Ilenikhena due to injury issues. The club’s defensive contributions have been significant this season, with defenders scoring a notable percentage of their goals.
Team News
Inzaghi faces some selection challenges as he rested key players like Nicolo Barella and Federico Dimarco in their recent league match, while Yann Bisseck’s return from injury was not rushed. However, Inter will be without joint-top Champions League scorer Hakan Calhanoglu due to a calf injury, with Joaquin Correa and Francesco Acerbi also sidelined. Despite these setbacks, Inter’s defensive strength remains formidable, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer on the verge of equaling Andre Onana’s club record of eight clean sheets in a single Champions League season.
Monaco, on the other hand, are grappling with injury concerns primarily in their attacking department. Folarin Balogun and George Ilenikhena are likely to miss the match, while new signing Mika Biereth is ineligible for the competition. This may force Monaco to rely on goals from their defenders, who have accounted for a league-high 31% of the team’s goals in the group stage. However, key defender Wilfried Singo is doubtful after missing the weekend’s match, and midfielder Denis Zakaria’s early substitution in their recent game adds to Monaco’s injury woes, potentially impacting their strategy for this crucial encounter.
Expected Starting XIs
Inter: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
Monaco: Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Mawissa Elebi; Magassa, Camara; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Embolo
Match Prediction
Given Inter’s strong home form and defensive capabilities coupled with Monaco’s struggles on the road in recent Champions League outings, a 2-0 victory for Inter Milan appears likely. While Monaco has shown signs of improvement recently, they will face a formidable challenge at San Siro.
Prediction: Inter 2-0 Monaco
