Softfootball previews Tuesday’s Champions League clash between Inter Milan and RB Leipzig, covering predictions, team updates, and potential lineups.
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Inter Milan and RB Leipzig head to San Siro on Tuesday, entering the match in contrasting form.
Inter remains unbeaten and comfortably within the top eight of the Champions League standings, while Leipzig is yet to earn a single point in this season’s league phase.
Match Preview
Inter started their Champions League campaign with a resilient 0-0 draw against Manchester City, the team that denied them the 2023 title.
Since then, they’ve defeated Red Star Belgrade, Arsenal, and Young Boys, maintaining a perfect defensive record with no goals conceded.
Another clean sheet on Tuesday would equal Manchester United’s 2010 record of five consecutive Champions League shutouts.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s penalty secured their most recent European win against Arsenal, extending Inter’s unbeaten streak at home to 11 Champions League matches, nine of which were clean sheets.
This robust record has guided them to three consecutive knockout phases, with Simone Inzaghi’s side now sitting fourth in the league standings.
Domestically, Inter demonstrated their firepower with a 5-0 win over Hellas Verona last weekend, where Marcus Thuram scored twice.
The Nerazzurri have suffered only one defeat in 16 games this season—a loss to AC Milan in September—and now prepare to face RB Leipzig, their 14th German opponent in European competition.
For Leipzig, the outlook is less encouraging. The German side faces elimination from the Champions League after losing all four of their league-phase matches.
Their most recent defeat, a 3-1 loss at Celtic Park, highlighted their struggle to hold onto leads, having dropped points in games where they scored first against Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Celtic.
Domestically, Leipzig has fared better, sitting third in the Bundesliga despite recent slip-ups, including a 4-3 loss to Hoffenheim.
Their defensive frailty contrasts with earlier strong performances, such as a club-record 510-minute clean sheet streak in the Bundesliga.
Now, they embrace the underdog role as they make their Champions League debut on Italian soil.
Team News
Inter’s captain Lautaro Martinez is doubtful after battling illness, leaving Mehdi Taremi, Marko Arnautovic, and Joaquin Correa competing for starting spots alongside Marcus Thuram.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu may also miss out due to a thigh injury, with Kristjan Asllani likely to step in.
Francesco Acerbi is another concern, potentially giving Stefan de Vrij or Benjamin Pavard a starting role in the back three.
For Leipzig, injuries to Eljif Elmas, Yussuf Poulsen, and Xavi Simons could impact their lineup, with Christoph Baumgartner expected to fill in for Simons.
Striker Benjamin Sesko, Leipzig’s top scorer in the Champions League, and winger Antonio Nusa, in fine form after scoring four times during the international break, will lead the attack alongside Lois Openda.
Predicted Lineups:
- Inter Milan (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi.
- RB Leipzig (3-4-1-2): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Lukeba; Henrichs, Haidara, Seiwald, Nusa; Baumgartner; Openda, Sesko.
Prediction
Despite Leipzig’s attacking prowess and pace, Inter’s sturdy defense and efficiency in the final third should secure them another three points at San Siro.
