Inter have a decimated squad with Keita Balde Diao upfront, but need to beat Eintracht Frankfurt to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
The first leg ended 0-0 in Germany, with Marcelo Brozovic missing a penalty, which means an identical result here will force extra time and anything else means Eintracht go through.
Inter have a decimated squad with Keita Balde Diao upfront, but need to beat Eintracht Frankfurt to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
The first leg ended 0-0 in Germany, with Marcelo Brozovic missing a penalty, which means an identical result here will force extra time and anything else means Eintracht go through.
Luciano Spalletti has very few choices at his disposal, above all with the crucial Derby della Madonnina against Milan coming up on Sunday.
Mauro Icardi is still nowhere to be seen after his knee injury, which coincidentally flared up at the same time as he was stripped of the captaincy on February 13.
Lautaro Martinez has been holding the fort in his absence, but the striker is suspended this evening along with Kwadwo Asamoah.
Radja Nainggolan and Joao Miranda are injured, while Dalbert, Roberto Gagliardini and Joao Miranda are not eligible for the Europa League.
That means Inter go into this decisive Round of 16 tie with only 12 senior outfield players available.
Keita makes his comeback from several weeks out injured and is thrown straight into the starting XI, supported by Matteo Politano, Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva, although it remains to be seen if it’s a 4-2-3-1 formation or 4-3-3 with Candreva deeper.
Brozovic is rested ahead of the Milan Derby this weekend, which is also a showdown for third place.
Eintracht Frankfurt are still without injured Ante Rebic and David Abraham, while Gelson Fernandes sits out a ban.
Jetro Willems is chosen rather than Jonathan De Guzman in midfield, but Mijat Gacinovic supporting strikers Sebastien Haller and Luka Jovic are real dangers.
Coach Adi Hutter sits out a touchline ban.
Inter: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, De Vrij, Cedric; Borja Valero, Vecino; Candreva, Politano, Perisic; Keita
Inter bench: Padelli, Ranocchia, Gavioli, Zappa, Merola, Esposito, Brozovic
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp; Da Costa, Hasebe, Hinteregger, N’Dicka; Gacinovic, Rode, Willems, Kostic; Haller, Jovic
Eintracht bench: Ronnow, Falette, De Guzman, Stendera, Russ, Tawatha, Goncalo Paciencia
Ref: Hategan (ROU)