The moment of truth. For Milan e Inter the decisive hour has arrived, the one in which one can no longer go wrong, on pain of compromising (not to say healthy) the Champions League. This is especially true for the Rossoneri, still on zero points after the double defeat against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, but also the Nerazzurri, stuck at one level together with Shakhtar, certainly don't occupy a strong position. In short, matches with Oporto e Sheriff (both at 21) already have the flavor of inside or outside, moreover only in a negative key: winning them, in fact, would not mean putting things right, but only staying alive.
“This double challenge will be decisive for the future in Europe – he confirmed Pioli, extending the discussion to the second leg as well – We'll have to be concentrated for 90' and avoid those distractions that we paid dearly for in the first two matches. Porto are very solid and organised, with quality attacking players, and they also have a coach like Conceiçao who is used to the Champions League. It will be a difficult game, but we have already studied what to do during the break: our strategy is clear, we hope it bears fruit".
The Rossoneri know they have already used up all the bonuses, although the defeat against Atletico depended almost entirely on the refereeing of Cakir, unfortunate in conceding a non-existent penalty to the Spaniards in full stoppage time. In any case, recriminations are useless, better to focus on the Portuguese, who in turn were forced to score points after the heavy KO against Liverpool (1-5). The overwhelming power of Klopp's men, paradoxically, however, keeps the entire group alive, which is why Milan and Porto hope it will continue tonight at the Wanda Metropolitano, where the other Group B match against Simeone's Spaniards will be staged.
Pioli would have liked to arrive at Dragao with a full squad, instead he will have to deal with the usual long list of unavailable, even enriched compared to Saturday with the injured player Rebic and disqualified Kessie. Tonight's 4-2-3-1 is almost obligatory with Tatarusanu in goal, Kalulu, Tomori, Kjaer and Calabria in defense, Tonali and Bennacer in midfield, Saelemaekers, Krunic and Leao in the frontline, Giroud in attack, with Ibrahimovic ready to take over the work.
“It will be a very important evening, decisive for the passage of the round – he admitted Sergio Conceicao – We face one of the most successful clubs in the world, we hope to play a good match and get a good result, we aim to win”. His Porto will line up with a system that mirrors that of Milan, therefore 4-2-3-1 with Diogo Costa between the posts, Corona, Cardoso, Marcano and Zeidu in the back, Uribe and Sergio Oliveira in the midfield, Otavio, Martinez and Diaz behind the lone striker Taremi.
Heavy points also up for grabs at San Siro, where theInter will receive the small but terrible Sheriff Tiraspol, so far the surprise par excellence of the entire Champions League. The Moldovan club, founded by two former KGB officials and flagship of a region, Transnistria, not recognized by the UN, was supposed to be the sacrificial victim of the group, however, after beating Shakhtar, it was repeated also at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. In short, woe to think it could be an easy match, especially since Inter, after Saturday's defeat in Rome, are certainly not going through a moment of glittering form.
“In these days I've seen everyone very angry and I was very pleased, my boys are winners – thundered Inzaghi in the press conference – But now we want to reverse the European trend, they didn't win the first two by chance, so we will need intelligence and lucidity, with the awareness that this will be a fundamental match for our journey”.
Compared to the match against Lazio, Inter will find the South Americans at full capacity, which is why the Nerazzurri coach will be able to return to a 3-5-2 formation with Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defence, Dumfries , Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu and Perisic in midfield, Lautaro Martinez and Dzeko in attack. Vernydub never imagined coming to San Siro as leaders, but now that he's there he doesn't want to miss the opportunity and will attempt yet another feat with a 4-2-3-1 that will see Athanasiadis in goal, Costanza, Arboleda, Dulanto and Cristiano in the back, Thill and Addo in the midfield, Traoré, Kolovos and Castaneda behind the lone striker Jakhshibaev.
