Real Sociedad-Inter is a match valid for the first day of the Champions League group stage and is played on Wednesday at 21:00: tv, predictions.
Inter arrive at their Champions League debut in the best possible way. The Nerazzurri have just delivered one of the heaviest beatings to their Milan cousins in the first Milan derby of the season: a crushing 5-1 defeat that is already engraved in history. Simone Inzaghi’s team appeared unstoppable, just as they had been in the previous three matches.
Yes, because the Nerazzurri, before the extracittadina, had left no crumbs even to Monza (2-0), Cagliari (0-2) and Fiorentina (4-0). Twelve points that allow the vice-champions of Europe to remain on full points, the only ones in Serie A to do so. The favourites for the Scudetto, as of today, are them. It is pointless to go round and round. Inzaghi may have lost important pawns like Onana, Skriniar and Lukaku, but the substitutes are proving to be up to the task (Thuram, Frattesi) and the bench is much longer. However, it will be difficult to replicate last spring’s ride, when Inter took advantage of a not prohibitive draw (Porto, Benfica, Milan) to reach the final in Istanbul against Guardiola’s City, who won in the Turkish capital thanks to a goal from Rodri. In the group, Lautaro and his team-mates will meet Benfica, with whom they will probably compete for first place, but they will have to watch out for two good teams such as Real Sociedad and Salzburg.
Inzaghi starts again in San Sebastian
Inzaghi’s first opponents will be Imanol Alguacil’s Basque side, who have been a fine fixture in Spanish football for years: Real Sociedad finished fourth in the last La Liga.
Barrenetxea exults after Real Madrid goal
Unlike Inter, however, the performance in the first few days of the championship was somewhat disappointing. After three consecutive draws with Girona, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas, opponents who were far from irresistible, the Txuri-urdin got their first win in a nail-biting 5-3 victory over newly promoted Granada. From last Sunday’s trip to Madrid, however, they returned with zero points in their pockets, picking up their first defeat of the season (2-1). Much can be salvaged from the match against Ancelotti’s Blancos, however, as in the first half Imanol’s men had taken the lead at the Bernabeu with a goal from Barrenetxea. One of the biggest dangers for Inter could be Japanese striker Kubo, who was one of the most attacking players against Real. Inzaghi will field the best possible formation, with Pavard in defence and Frattesi in midfield. Only bench for Mkhitaryan.
The prediction
Not a comfortable away trip for the Nerazzurri, who will find a very hot environment. The Basques have different characteristics compared to the last two teams Inter faced in the league (AC Milan and Fiorentina): we could see a more balanced match, with Real Sociedad “waiting” for Inzaghi’s team, conceding as little as possible. In any case, Lautaro and his teammates should find a way through a defence that has so far only remained inviolate on one occasion: there should be no shortage of goals.
Real Sociedad-Inter’s likely line-up
- REAL SOCIEDAD (4-4-2): Remiro; Traoré, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Aihen Muñoz; Brais Méndez, Zubimendi, Merino, Barrenetxea; Kubo, Oyarzabal.
- INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Frattesi, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, Thuram.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2