The Inter Lineup That Should Start Against Real Madrid
By George Cannon
Antonio Conte's Inter welcome Real Madrid to San Siro on Tuesday night as both sides search for a win in Group B of the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri currently occupy bottom spot of the group after only picking up two points from their first three games. Zinedine Zidane's men found a late winner to inflict a 3-2 defeat over the Italian giants in the reverse fixture, making the result of this midweek clash crucial for Inter's qualification hopes.
Striking duo Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez already have 15 goals between them so far this season and Conte will need his star men on top form once again for the visit of the Spanish champions.
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Samir Handanovic (GK) - The 36-year-old shot-stopper is a mainstay of Inter's starting lineup and has been for many years. He's a reliable performer and will undoubtedly be called upon to make some big saves to keep Madrid at bay.
Achraf Hakimi (RWB) - The Morocco international wing-back was surprisingly sold by Los Blancos in the summer after impressing during a two-year loan spell with Borussia Dortmund. He's a perfect fit in Conte's system and has started well in Serie A.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) - De Vrij is a crucial part of this Inter side and has featured in all but one of the Nerazzurri's games so far this season. After being rested against Torino, the Netherlands international is expected to be recalled to the starting XI.
Milan Skriniar (CB) - After being in and out of the side throughout the second half of the previous campaign, Skriniar has encountered similar issues in 2020/21, but these have largely been down to a positive coronavirus result.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - Inter forked out a huge £28m fee for Bastoni back in 2017 when the defender was just 18. Many eyebrows were raised at the large sum of money given Bastoni's lack of experience, but he's proven his worth and established himself as one of Italian football's greatest prospects.
Ivan Perisic (LWB) - The Croatia international helped Bayern Munich to their sixth European crown last term and is tasked with helping Inter progress to the knockout stages this time around.
2. Midfielders
Arturo Vidal (CM) - Conte opted for Vidal over hot-prospect Sandro Tonali in the summer due to the Chilean's experience of winning trophies, including four Scudettos with Juventus. Things haven't quite gone to plan for the 33-year-old so far, with his performances failing to live up to expectations, but he should still be selected for the visit of Madrid.
Nicolo Barella (CM) - Barella has impressed during his time at San Siro and has quickly made himself undroppable in Inter's engine room.
Roberto Gagliardini (CM) - One of many graduates from Atalanta's famed youth academy, Gagliardini is set to start in midfield after Marcelo Brozovic tested positive for coronavirus.
3. Forwards
Romelu Lukaku (ST) - The former Manchester United striker has proved his doubters wrong by finding the back of the net on a regular basis in Serie A and the Champions League for Inter. Lukaku already has nine goals in all competitions in 2020/21, and Varane and co. will have to be at their best to keep the Belgian quiet.
Lautaro Martinez (ST) - Martinez has formed an extremely fruitful partnership with Lukaku since being paired with the experienced forward, and the 23-year-old has hit the ground running this season, bagging six goals already.