Inter-Real Sociedad is a match valid for the sixth day of the group stage of the Champions League and is played Tuesday at 9 p.m.: TV, formations, predictions.
Will Simone Inzaghi have learned his lesson? Two weeks ago, the Inter coach may have gone a bit too far with the turnover, risking an ugly defeat at home to already eliminated Benfica: a team chock-full of second lines after just over half an hour was already down by three goals following former Joao Mario’s hat-trick.
The Piacenza coach then made up for it in the second half, inserting the starters and avoiding what would have been the Nerazzurri’s first Champions League defeat of the season. Arnautovic, Frattesi and Sanchez reeled in the Lusitanians (3-3), keeping pace with Real Sociedad in the standings. Inter, already certain to play the round of 16 for two rounds, will now contend for the first place – useful to avoid a complicated draw in the knockout stage – with the Basques in the San Siro match. Currently in front are Imanol Alguacil’s men, who had imposed a draw (1-1) on Lautaro Martinez and his teammates in the first leg, with the Argentine striker responding to Brais Mendez with three minutes left. Should another draw come out, the goal difference would be decisive, which with 90 minutes to go in the group stage rewards Real Sociedad (+5 vs. +3). It means that to pass as first, Inter is basically forced to win.
Inter must win to finish first
Inzaghi should rely on the starters this time, limiting himself to making a few changes. Inter is experiencing a truly exhilarating moment in the league, where even at the level of play expressed it is showing that it has something more than its direct competitors.
(Some Real Sociedad players IlVeggente.it (Ansa)
On Saturday came an immediate response to Juventus, who 24 hours earlier had taken the top of the standings thanks to their success against Napoli. The Nerazzurri overwhelmed Udinese 4-0 a week after a 3-0 thrashing of the Italian champion Azzurri at the “Maradona.” They also extended their positive streak, which has been going on since last September and thus since the defeat, the only one of the season, against Sassuolo. Also healthy is Real Sociedad, fresh from a 3-0 win at Villarreal in La Liga. Fourth useful result in a row that allows Imanol’s men to stay within striking distance of fourth place, now only five points away. Inzaghi’s problems are mainly in defense, where de Vrij and Pavard will be missing: possible chance for Bisseck, while in the middle it will be Frattesi’s turn. On the other side, the Basques will have to do without Merquelanz, Barrenetxea, Mohamed-Ali Cho and Méndez.
The prediction
Real Sociedad even in the first leg proved to be a tough nut to crack and it will not be easy for Inter to get right with the Basques. The San Siro’s boost, however, will be crucial: at this moment, then, it is difficult to go against the Nerazzurri, who although with some difficulty should manage to bend Imanol’s formation in a very balanced match with at least one goal on each side.
The probable formations of Inter-Real Sociedad
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Frattesi, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martínez.
REAL SOCIEDAD (4-3-3): Remiro; Aihen, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Traoré; Merino, Zubimendi, Zakharyan; Oyarzabal, Sadiq, Kubo.
