Preview: Inter Milan vs. RB Leipzig – prediction, team news, lineups

They had very different beginnings Champions League campaigns, Inter Milan And RB Leipzig will meet on Tuesday evening at San Siro.

While Inter are undefeated and safely in the top eight, their German colleagues have not yet picked up a point this season League phase.

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After opening its latest Champions League challenge with a 0-0 draw at Manchester City – their nemesis in the 2023 final – Inter have since beaten Red Star Belgrade and Arsenal at the San Siro, each with a 1-0 win over the Young Boys in Switzerland.

Keep Mikel ArtetaWhile Italy’s men went goalless in their last game, the Italian giants have yet to concede a single goal in Europe’s top club competition this season; Another draw on Tuesday would match Manchester United’s winning streak in 2010, when they became the last team to start with five consecutive shutouts.

As Hakan CalhanogluThe penalty in the first half ultimately secured the points against Arsenal, Inter are now unbeaten in eleven Champions League home games, have won nine and kept nine clean sheets.

This impressive record has helped them reach the knockout stages three seasons in a row Simone InzaghiAt the halfway point of the league phase this season, the FC Barcelona team is in fourth place in the table.

Although there were occasional discrepancies domestically, the Nerazzurri kept a clean sheet again on Saturday when they scored five goals in the first half Series A Away game for the second time ever, with Marcus Thuram scored a brace in the 5-0 win against Hellas Verona.

Just before the international break, Inter came from behind to draw 1-1 at home against title rivals Napoli, the only goal they have conceded in five games since the incredible eight-goal Derby d’Italia.

With just one defeat in 16 games this season – against old foes AC Milan in September – the three-time European champions now face their 14th different German opponent to date as they face Leipzig for the first time.

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As Leipzig prepare for their first Champions League game on Italian soil, they have already beaten Napoli and Atalanta BC in the Europa League and will not be intimidated by a trip to Milan.

However, they left no room for error in the second half of their league campaign as they face automatic elimination after four consecutive defeats.

After losing 3-1 in their last game at Celtic Park, the Red Bulls are one defeat away from equaling their longest losing streak in UEFA’s elite competition and may find themselves reflecting on what might have been.

Marco RoseThe Barcelona side have so far effectively dropped no less than nine points from winning positions and have come away empty-handed from three games in which they scored the first goal – against Atletico Madrid, Juventus and then Celtic.

Such problems maintaining the lead appear to have marred some previously excellent domestic performances: away from home in the Champions League they have lost just twice in 24 games, but both defeats have come in the last three Bundesliga games, including Saturday’s slip-up at Hoffenheim.

Although Leipzig led three times, they still ended up on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller, as the four goals they conceded were just one fewer than in their first ten league games combined.

Long-time goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi had gone 510 minutes without conceding a goal in the Bundesliga earlier this season, setting a new club record, but recent errors are cause for concern. Nevertheless, the Saxon side remains Third place in Germany’s top division and can now enjoy the role of outsider in San Siro.

Inter Milan Champions League form:

Inter Milan form (all competitions):

RB Leipzig Champions League form:

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

Team news

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After Inter-Captain Lautaro Martinez returned late from duty in Argentina and was then struck by a virus; it remains to be seen whether he will be willing to partner Marcus Thuram on Tuesday; therefore, Mehdi Taremi, Marko Arnautovic And Joaquin Correa – The latter scored a rare opening goal at the weekend – will all be fighting for the places at the top.

Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu also suffered a hamstring injury for Turkey and missed Saturday’s win Kristjan Asllani is available to substitute if necessary; Francesco Acerbi left Verona early and could also be canceled.

Should the experienced central defender also miss out? Benjamin Pavard or Stefan de Vrij would come into the hosts’ back three and line up in front of the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommerwho saved all 14 shots on goal in this season’s Champions League.

Now a Leipzig duo Eljif Elmas And Yussuf Poulsen both sustained injuries during international deployment, and El Chadaille Bitshiabu recently suffered a setback in training.

Influential playmaker Xavi Simons and German full-back David Raum were also on the treatment table – in her case because of ankle problems. In the absence of Simons, Christoph Baumgartner has stepped into the breach and should support a strong front pair Lois Openda And Benjamin Sesko.

The latter is the Red Bulls’ top scorer in the Champions League this season with three goals as a winger Antonio Nusa is also enjoying a purple patch: he scored three goals in Norway’s two UEFA Nations League games this month, then again at the weekend.

Possible Inter Milan starting lineup:
Summer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi

Possible starting lineup for RB Leipzig:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba, Henrichs; Vermeeren, Haidara; Baumgartner, Nusa; Openda, Sesko

We say: Inter Milan – RB Leipzig 2:1

Even a staunch Inter defense may not be able to keep Leipzig at bay for 90 minutes given how quick and skilled the visitors are.

However, the Nerazzurri have more than enough courage to take another three points as they can be ruthless in the final third.

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