Make it or brake it. Inter and above all Milan they are preparing for Wednesday in the Champions League with the obligation to win, on pain of compromising (completely, in the case of the Rossoneri) their European path. The matches with Porto (18.45 pm) and Sheriff (21) thus become two fundamental crossroads, as well as a good coupon in view of Sunday evening's super derby. There is no doubt that it is Pioli's team that is playing the most: this one at San Siro against the Portuguese, in fact, is the last call to attempt a very difficult qualification, but not yet impossible. A victory today, combined with that of Liverpool over Atletico Madrid, would bring the Devil back into the running, who would then go all out in the direct match in Madrid on November 24th, any other combination would end any discussion.
“It is a final crossroads – he confirmed Pioli in no uncertain terms – We still believe in it, we have the qualities to interrupt the negative streak in the Champions League and erase the zero in the standings. We're not interested in the derby now, we'll only think about that from Thursday, first there's only one match to focus on and give our all. In the first leg they were aggressive, but not so much that we couldn't play: we made a mistake, we moved badly, this time we have to try to develop our game. The refereeing controversies of the championship? We won in Rome because we played better than them, just like in Porto we were worse than our opponents…”.
Any reference to what happened in the first leg match, with Luis Diaz's decisive goal marred by an unseen foul by the referee and Var, is not purely coincidental, but after all, the past cannot be corrected and the Rossoneri, also penalized with the 'Atletico, they arrive at the halfway point with zero in the standings. “Expectations are always to want to win the game – the thought of Conceiçao – The atmosphere won't be easy but it's good for us, we like these environments. Milan have 7 European titles and 4 world titles, moreover they are a team that hasn't lost in the championship yet: we expect many difficulties".
Compared to Rome (and, most likely, on Sunday in the derby) Pioli should rest Ibrahimovic and Kjaer, aiming for a 4-2-3-1 with Tatarusanu in goal, Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli and Hernandez in defense, Tonali and Bennacer in midfield, Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz and Leao behind the lone striker Giroud. Classic 4-4-2 also for Porto, who will respond with Diogo Costa in goal, Joao Mario, Pepe, Mbemba and Sanusi in the back, Otavio, Sergio Oliveira, Uribe and Luis Diaz in the midfield, Martinez and Taremi in attack.
Less dramatic match instead for theInter, but still very important. A misstep in Tiraspol, the capital of the self-proclaimed Transnistria (a state not recognized by the UN), would not sanction the elimination, but would make it very probable. The nerazzurri, therefore, are at a crossroads: a victory would be worth overtaking the Moldovans and the group, barring sensational twists, would thus become a two-way deal with Real Madrid, vice versa the Sheriff would take a big step towards the round of XNUMX , putting Inzaghi in an almost desperate position.
“An important and decisive match awaits us, we must also assert ourselves in Europe – he explained the Nerazzurri coach – Even in the first leg it was, we played excellent football and we also saw the pitfalls that await us, this team beat Real and Shakhtar not by chance. We will have to play a match in which great concentration will be needed because balance will be needed, the Sheriff has shown that he is very good at counterattacks".
In short, a match not to be underestimated, also because the Moldovans, in addition to beating Shakhtar and clearing the Bernabeu, have already shown at San Siro that they can have their say. Compared to last Sunday, Inzaghi will return to the Inter of the very titular, except for Calhanoglu and Perisic, spared in view of the derby. The Nerazzurri 3-5-2 will thus see Handanovic in goal, Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni in defence, Darmian, Barella, Brozovic, Vidal and Dimarco in midfield, Dzeko and Lautaro in attack. Vernydub will attempt the feat with a 4-2-3-1 with Celeadnic in goal, Costanza, Arboleda, Dulanto and Cristiano in the back, Addo and Thill in the midfield, Traoré, Kolovos and Castaneda behind lone striker Bruno.
