90min

Inter vs Real Madrid: Picking a Combined XI Ahead of Champions League Clash

By James Merrills

Eden Hazard starts in this combined XI.
Eden Hazard starts in this combined XI. / Soccrates Images/Getty Images
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Inter host Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday night as this season's competition reaches matchday four.

Zinedine Zidane's men ran out narrow 3-2 winners in a pulsating reverse fixture, thanks to Rodrygo's goal ten minutes from time. Antonio Conte's Inter still have a chance of progressing from the group, and will hope to take advantage of being at home as the pair clash again at San Siro.

Ahead of the game, here's a look at the best possible combined XI, with the players currently available to both sides.

1. Goalkeepers & Defenders

Thibaut Courtois is now well established in the Real Madrid first team.
Thibaut Courtois is now well established in the Real Madrid first team. / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - The ex-Chelsea shot stopper is one of the best keepers in the world and is now well established as Real Madrid's first-choice goalkeeper. He will be keen to add a Champions League medal to the trophy cabinet.

Achraf Hakimi (RB) - The 22-year old came through the ranks at Real Madrid before moving onto Borussia Dortmund and then Inter. He offers a great threat going forward and his attacking nature has seen him pitch in with three assists already this season.

Raphael Varane (CB) - The French centre-back has won nearly everything there is to win with both Real Madrid and France. His experience is one of his biggest strengths and he has cut it at the top level for years now. He's a no-brainer.

Stefan de Vrij (CB) - The Dutchman has developed into one of Serie A's finest defenders at Inter, balancing excellent ball-playing ability with defensive nous, and would start in this imaginary XI.

Ferland Mendy (LB) - Mendy is another who has commanded a big fee and therefore there is a lot of expectation on his shoulders. He's capable of hurting teams when going forward and is defensively sound.

2. Midfielders

Arturo Vidal gets into the side due to his experience, he's one who has seen it all and won it all.
Arturo Vidal gets into the side due to his experience, he's one who has seen it all and won it all. / DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Marco Asensio (RM) - Asensio has gone from hot prospect to first team regular and has matured as a footballer massively in recent years. He has forced his way into the national team and offers a potent threat on the right wing.

Toni Kroos (CM) - The German midfielder played nearly every game for Real Madrid in La Liga last season and has shown he is still up to the job as he enters his thirties. He's one who can control the tempo of the game and that's why he starts in midfield.

Nicolo Barella (CM) - Barella is another player who has come on leaps and bounds at Inter, developing into arguably one of the best box-to-box centre midfielders around. His outrageous assist in the reverse fixture was enough to justify his place in itself.

Eden Hazard (LM) - Hazard has endured a stop-start career for Real so far and has been plagued by minor injuries since signing in 2019. He's only managed two appearances in La Liga so far this season but on his day he's unplayable. He's one who can easily take the game by the scruff of its neck and see his team over the line.

3. Forwards

Romelu Lukaku is full of confidence at the moment and his goal return shows it.
Romelu Lukaku is full of confidence at the moment and his goal return shows it. / DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Lautaro Martinez (ST) - The Inter striker has enjoyed a fine start to the season and has notched five goals in eight games. Barcelona have courted his interest in recent years but his decision to stay at Inter is paying dividends for his football.

Romelu Lukaku (ST) - Inter are blessed with two in-form strikers at the moment. Lukaku looks a different footballer than the one we saw at Old Trafford in seasons gone by.