13 September 2021, 09:20 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group D fixture, Inter Milan vs. Real Madrid CF, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, September 15 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Preview Inter Champions League, Sep 15, 2021
Preview Three-time UEFA Champions League winner, Inter Milan return to the Champions League after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Sampdoria in Serie A. The Italian side are in 4th place and remain unbeaten in the domestic league ahead of this fixture against Real Madrid. I Nerazzurri will make their entry into the Champions League, unbeaten in five games across all competitions: WWWWD. Last season, Inter finished at the bottom of the group, which incidentally also featured Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk. It was the third time in a row that the Serie A champions failed to advance beyond the group stage. This time around, new boss Simone Inzaghi aims to break the three-year jinx. Inzaghi could line-up the dynamic 3—5—2 formation, with Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez fostering their new and fledgling attacking partnership upfront. Meanwhile, right-back Matteo Darmian will have his hands full keeping the likes of David Alaba in front of him in an attempt to protect the back three. On availability, Stefano Sensi picked up a knee injury in Sunday's game against La Samp and will not be available for this fixture against Madrid. Looking ahead, Inter Milan will take on Shakhtar Donetsk at the Metalist Stadium on UEFA Champions League Matchday 2, Sept. 28.
Preview Real Madrid Champions League, Sep 15, 2021
Preview Meanwhile, Real Madrid returns to UEFA Champions League action after the seven-goal thriller against Celta Vigo in Sunday's Spanish La Liga match, which Los Blancos won 5-2. The club remains unbeaten in five games across all competitions, DWDWW. Last season, an aggregate 3-1 defeat to Chelsea saw Los Blancos exit the UEFA Champions League. Following the return of Carlo Ancelotti, who led the club to their 10th European Cup crown in 2014, Madrid will look to restore their grip on Europe’s most prestigious tournament. Ancelotti will make his second UEFA Champions League debut with the club when he takes his place in the dug-out on Wednesday, having nothing but three points on his mind against a familiar foe. A 4—4—2 formation is expected against Inter. Having bagged a hattrick against Celta Vigo, Karim Benzema will be a prominent figure in the attack on Wednesday. Center-back Eder Militao would be advised to keep an eye on Lautaro Martinez, who scored Inter’s second goal in the draw against Sampdoria over the weekend. On availability, Toni Kroos and David Alaba are in doubt for this fixture alongside Gareth Bale. Meanwhile, Luka Modric returned to the squad for the game against Celta Vigo. The Croatian is expected to feature in the starting line-up against Inter on Wednesday.