Inter are in the real Champions League Group of Death, because going into the final game, all four teams could either reach the Round of 16 or finish in last place.
Inter-Shakhtar and Real Madrid-Borussia Monchengladbach kick off at 20.00 GMT.
As things stand, Group B sees Gladbach on eight points, Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk seven, and Inter five.
It will likely all go down not just to points, but also head-to-head records.
Inter are in the real Champions League Group of Death, because going into the final game, all four teams could either reach the Round of 16 or finish in last place.
Inter-Shakhtar and Real Madrid-Borussia Monchengladbach kick off at 20.00 GMT.
As things stand, Group B sees Gladbach on eight points, Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk seven, and Inter five.
It will likely all go down not just to points, but also head-to-head records.
As far as the Nerazzurri are concerned, it’s fairly simple, as if they don’t beat Shakhtar Donetsk, then they will finish bottom of the group.
Even a victory might not be enough to reach the Round of 16, though, as they’ll be third if Real Madrid and Borussia Monchengladbach draw.
The worry for Antonio Conte’s men is that both those teams know they can qualify together with a stalemate, as long as Inter win.
If both those games end in draws, then Shakhtar will qualify thanks to a superior head-to-head record with Real Madrid, having beaten them both home and away.
That is the ‘weapon’ Inter are counting on to scare Real Madrid away from the prospect of a stalemate that suits everyone.
Shakhtar Donetsk can even win the group if they win at San Siro and Gladbach do not beat Real Madrid.
The Germans are certain of at least a place in the Europa League.
Real Madrid run the genuine risk of crashing out of Europe altogether, because they’ll take last place if they lose and so do Shakhtar Donetsk.
Yet, Zinedine Zidane’s men could also win the group if they win and Shakhtar do not.