The Champions League group stage gets hotter when Inter Milan hosts RB Leipzig at San Siro on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. In contrasting form in Europe, this looks to be a mouth-watering match as Inter seeks to protect their unbeaten run against Leipzig, who fight to keep their campaign from going off a cliff.
Inter Milan: Unbeaten and the Defensive Masters
Inter Milan, under Simone Inzaghi, has been a defensive powerhouse in the Champions League. Unbeaten in their first four games, the Italian giants boast an immaculate record of zero goals conceded, thus comfortably sitting in the top eight of the group stage.
Notable highlights:
Held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at the Etihad.
Won against Red Star Belgrade and Arsenal at home.
Beat Young Boys in Switzerland 1-0 away.
Inter’s solid backline has made San Siro a fortress, having gone undefeated in 11 Champions League home matches, keeping nine clean sheets. Another on Tuesday would see them match Manchester United’s record set in 2010 for five clean sheets in five matches to open a campaign.
Domestically, Inter are in high spirits, comfortably thrashing Hellas Verona 5-0 in their last Serie A outing. Losing just once in 16 games in all competitions, they will face this game with a lot of confidence.
RB Leipzig:
Doing Badly in Europe, Doing Well Domestically
The Champions League campaign has been absolutely disastrous for RB Leipzig, sitting last in the group with four back-to-back losses. Their recent 3-1 defeat to Celtic also brought to the front how badly they hold on to leads.
Key setbacks:
Blew nine points from a position of winning against Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Celtic.
Close to equalling their worst-ever losing run in UEFA’s elite competition.
Leipzig has fought domestic solidity despite the European struggles, losing just twice in the last 24 Bundesliga matches, but there is still a possibility of overall stumbles in defense, highlighted by their four-goal concession during the recent 4-3 loss to Hoffenheim.
Team News
Inter Milan
Lautaro Martinez is under threat with a virus, a chance for Mehdi Taremi, Marko Arnautovic, or Joaquin Correa.
Hakan Calhanoglu is doubtful with a thigh injury, with Kristjan Asllani on standby.
Francesco Acerbi is also a doubt, likely replaced by Benjamin Pavard or Stefan de Vrij.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig’s squad is weakened by the injuries of Eljif Elmas, Yussuf Poulsen, and El Chadaille Bitshiabu.
Xavi Simons and David Raum are also ruled out with ankle problems.
Christoph Baumgartner should replace Simons, playing behind the attacking couple Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko.
Predicted Lineups
Inter Milan: Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi.
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Lukeba; Henrichs, Haidara, Seiwald, Nusa; Baumgartner; Openda, Sesko.
Match Prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 RB Leipzig
The powerful defense of Inter might get breached due to the pace and attacking arsenal that Leipzig boast, but the superior form and home advantage sees the Nerazzurri take this one. Leipzig will give a big fight, but Inter’s ruthlessness in the final third should see them take a narrow victory.
