Leaving the miserable experience of the derby defeat behind, Inter host Bayern Munich in a high-octane fixture in the first round of the latest edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Simone Inzaghi’s side has not had the best start to the campaign, with the 19-time Serie A champions losing two games out of their first five matches in the domestic circuit. While one of those defeats came against Lazio earlier in the season, the latest setback in the weekend’s Derby della Madonnina means that they are having difficulties against more prominent teams.
Keeping that in mind, they will be locking horns with Bayern Munich, a formidable side that has not lost a game in the new season thus far. Julian Nagelsmann came under immense criticism for the team’s underperformance in the Champions League last season. This time, they will be hungrier than ever to shush their doubters, which doesn’t appear to bear any positive signs for the Nerazzurri.
Results in the last five matches:
Inter: W-W-L-W-L
Bayern Munich: W-W-D-W-D
Team News
Romelu Lukaku will miss the game against Bayern due to his injury. Lautaro Martinez could partner with Dzeko in the attack. Matteo Darmian will be reportedly preferred over Denzel Dumfries in the right wing-back spot. Henrikh Mkhitaryan should start the game against the German side in the place of Nicolò Barella.
Bouna Sarr has not made the trip with his fitness issues and thus will not play part against Inter. Sadio Mané should start in Bayern’s attack alongside Kinglsey Coman, Thomas Müller, and Serge Gnabry. Mathys Tel is a doubt for the game.
Predicted XIs:
Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, Bastoni; Darmian, Mkhitaryan, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Gosens; Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez.
Bayern Munich (4-2-2-2): Neuer; Pavard, de Ligt, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Sabitzer; Müller, Coman; Gnabry, Mané.
Although Inter are going into the match as the underdogs, it will not be a walk in the park for the Bayern team. If the Nerazzurri could sort out the deficiencies in their defence, there is a game to win for Inzaghi’s men.
GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
