In or out. The group stage of the Champions League has reached its last act, the one in which the destinies of the teams still poised between qualification for the round of XNUMX, relegation to the Europa League or total elimination from the cups are decided. It is the case of Milan, that tonight we play all out at the San Siro against Liverpool by Klopp, but not by Inter, on stage at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in a match that is "only" worth first place, in the light of a pass already detached in the previous round.
The spotlights were therefore on Milan, on a fascinating night with an ancient flavor, when the Rossoneri and the Reds were competing for the Champions League in the finals in Istanbul and Athens. Here, on the other hand, there is no cup at stake, but the possibility of going ahead which for Milan, considering how the group was, is almost the same thing. In fact, no one would have thought of reaching the last day still in the running, given the only point collected in the first four days, but then the victory in Madrid gave new life to the Rossoneri's hopes, which are in any case linked to a feat that is no mean feat .
It would not be enough for Pioli just to beat Liverpool, which in itself is already extremely complicated, even though he is already qualified and therefore less hungry for points, but he would also need Porto didn't beat Atletico Madrid in the other match from inside or outside the group: if the Portuguese score 3 points they go to the round of 3, vice versa; with a draw or a victory for the Spaniards (who don't have to score XNUMX more goals than Milan), the Rossoneri go through, obviously provided they get full spoils. In short, the calculations are not simple and qualification remains very difficult, but being still here to play, all in all, is already half a victory.
“Compared to the first leg we are more ready, we know the level of intensity and strength of Liverpool – the analysis of Pioli – If we manage to miss their first pressing we could be dangerous too. We are working down to the smallest detail because we want to be competitive with the strongest in Europe, our goal is to be competitive. If we manage to get to the round of XNUMX, we'll see if we can give everything in the Europa League or something else: we want to see our level."
Once again, however, the Rossoneri coach will have to deal the accident emergency, a real scourge of the season: after Pellegri, Leao was also added to the list, who stopped due to a hamstring injury that will cost him (at least) 10 days off. The only striker available will thus be Ibrahimovic, given that Giroud and Rebic have been in the pits for some time, just like Kjaer and Calabria, not the best for such an important evening, in which it would have been essential to have everyone available. But Milan, having reached this point, cannot get lost in regrets, but find the resources to accomplish the feat. Pioli will rely on a 4-2-3-1 with Maignan in goal, Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli and Hernandez in defense, Kessié and Tonali in midfield, Saelemaekers, Diaz and Krunic in the trocar, Ibrahimovic in attack.
“I can't wait to play at San Siro, it's the first time for me – the words of Klopp – We have to do the necessary things to face the match with the right intensity, then it's clear that we will make changes, given that we will have 5 games in 14 days. Salah? I can't change them all, we will still have to put eleven players on the team…”.
The Reds, therefore, certainly won't play with the typical formation, which is undoubtedly an advantage for Milan, provided however that we remember that the English certainly don't pull their leg back, even if they are already qualified and first. Klopp's 4-3-3 will see Alisson in goal, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez and Tsimikas in the back, Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Keita in the midfield, Minamino, Origi and Mané in the offensive trident.
Certainly more relaxed climate a Madrid, Where Real e Inter they will compete without qualifying anxiety. Both, in fact, are already certain of going to the round of 2, now only the ranking order remains to be established, with the Spaniards currently leading by XNUMX points. The nerazzurri, therefore, are forced to win if they want to take first place, however important in the draw phase.
“It's an important match, in Madrid Inter have only won once in their history – he confirmed Inzaghi – There will be pitfalls and difficulties, but we come to play with personality and motivation, it's an important match that we care about. We will play with personality and confidence, knowing that we have already done an important thing for this club by progressing through the groups after ten years."
"It's a prestigious match for us, we're facing an Inter who are playing football well, who are doing well," he replied. Ancelotti – We're fighting for first place, in front of our fans: priority goes to this match, not the one against Atletico on Sunday. The objective is to reach the bottom or the final, which is the first thing to do to lift the trophy. The history of this club, the best in the world that has won the most titles in Europe, requires you to win."
On paper, a really interesting and spectacular match can come out between two teams that are doing well and can play without particular performance anxieties. Inzaghi will rely on the usual 3-5-2 with Handanovic in goal, Bastoni, Skriniar and D'Ambrosio in defense, Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu and Perisic in midfield, Dzeko and Lautaro in attack.
Quite a strong turnover instead for Ancelotti, who will respond with a 4-3-3 with Courtois in goal, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba and Mendy in the back, Valverde, Casemiro and Isco in the midfield, Asensio, Jovic and Vinicius in the offensive trident, thus leaving people like Modric and Kroos at rest, at least from the beginning, without considering Benzema, out due to injury.
