Many pundits have named Ivan Perisic as Inter’s key player against Liverpool tonight, but Marcelo Brozovic and Edin Dzeko will also be pivotal to expose the Reds’ weaknesses.
The Nerazzurri have qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time in ten years and host Jurgen Klopp at the Stadio Meazza tonight.
Simone Inzaghi sees Alessandro Bastoni return to action, while Arturo Vidal will replace the suspended Nicolò Barella. The Italy midfielder’s ban is a huge blow for the Serie A champions who have seen Barella score two goals and deliver eight assists in 31 appearances across all competition this term. The 25-year-old would have helped Inter cope with Liverpool’s pressing and intensity in the middle of the park, but Inzaghi has other options to cause trouble for Jurgen Klopp.
Ranieri: ‘Inter have secret to beat Liverpool, but Reds and Chelsea are Champions League favourites’
Paolo Di Canio and Claudio Ranieri have suggested that Ivan Perisic could be a key player for the Nerazzurri tonight as he can make the most of the gaps left at the back by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Former Inter and Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince also highlighted how the English defender could be exposed due to his inclination to push forward.
“The [Inter] wing-backs can cause trouble to Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold who can leave gaps at the back. Denzel Dumfries has been improving and Ivan Perisic is a certainty. Inter have quality everywhere,” Ince told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ranieri also claimed that Inter would ‘need to move the ball quickly,’ therefore the performance of Perisic’s compatriot Marcelo Brozovic will be crucial for the Nerazzurri. The Croatia international has only missed one game this season and has developed massively over the last two years. Di Canio said something similar in his interview with Tuttosport, explaining that Inter must ‘be able to keep the ball possession in Liverpool’s half, keeping an eye on their counter-attacks.’
Di Canio names Inter’s key player against Liverpool, makes surprising Van Dijk claim
Edin Dzeko is the third Inter player who can create trouble for Liverpool tonight. The battle with Virgil van Dijk is a potential decider.
“Van Dijk is vital to Liverpool, but he is not the same player he used to be,” Di Canio added on Tuesday.
“He was perfect to stop the opponents’ counter-attacks, but now he is caught out of position sometimes and is slow in certain movements.
“He complains with his teammates as well and although he remains an absolute leader, Inter must be good in filling Liverpool’s defensive gaps.”
Dzeko has scored three goals in his last three games against the Reds and will be looking for his fourth in a row. His striking partner Lautaro Martinez has failed to find the net in the last 12 Champions League games. His last goal is dated back to November 2020 against Real Madrid.
I hope I am wrong – but I think Inter will lose both home and way. As long as it’s not a humiliation.
@feroli, correct, there is no hope. The gap between serie A and EPL+PSG, Bayern just too huge