Inter Milan Prepares for Crucial Champions League Clash Against Feyenoord

MILAN, Italy—Inter Milan‘s head coach Simone Inzaghi addressed media on Monday regarding their upcoming Champions League second leg against Feyenoord, scheduled for Tuesday at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The Italian side leads the Round of 16 tie 2-0 on aggregate after winning the first leg in Rotterdam last week.

Inter, sitting at the top of Serie A, faces a grueling schedule ahead, with their upcoming league match against Atalanta just four days after the Champions League clash. Despite injury challenges, Inzaghi expressed confidence in his players’ abilities to handle the pressure.

“The schedule should not be a problem but an incentive. We have to be proud of what we’re doing; these guys find the energy,” Inzaghi said. The coach acknowledged a recent spike in injuries impacting team rotation but emphasized dedication and pride in their performances.

Inter will likely be without midfielder Piotr Zielinski, who has been sidelined with a muscle strain that could keep him out for up to two months. Additionally, leading scorer Lautaro Martinez and defender Stefan de Vrij missed training and may be rested against Feyenoord.

Inzaghi remarked, “I will rotate according to the physical state of the players. We have some fatigue to evaluate; Lautaro and De Vrij have not been out training with us today, but I have a good feeling about them.” He highlighted the importance of thoughtful player management as they advance through the late-season schedule.

On a positive note for Inter, first-choice goalkeeper André Onana will return to the starting lineup after recovering from a thumb injury. “He is a goalkeeper who has been here with us for a year and a half; in that time, he has done great things,” Inzaghi noted.

The match is particularly crucial for Feyenoord, which has struggled recently, holding fifth place in the Eredivisie with no wins in their last three matches. However, Feyenoord’s coach, Robin van Persie, remains hopeful. “There is always hope and faith that we can achieve something. The 4,600 fans with us here in Milan share that belief. It will be a great challenge,” he stated.

This is the fourth meeting between Feyenoord and Inter in competitive play. The previous matches saw each team win once, and one match ending in a draw, highlighting the competitive nature between the two clubs. Inter aims to secure a place in the quarterfinals, while Feyenoord looks to overturn a two-goal deficit and make a historic comeback.

The stakes are high as both teams gear up for what promises to be an intense encounter in Milan. The match starts at 4:00 PM local time, and fans are eager to see if Inter can maintain their lead or if Feyenoord can pull off an upset.