Inter Milan is bracing for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 as they host Feyenoord at the iconic San Siro on March 11, 2025. The Serie A leaders carry a 2-0 advantage from the first leg played last week at De Kuip and are poised to secure their place among the elite eight teams of Europe.
With kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT, Inter seems to have the upper hand, needing only to avoid defeat by more than one goal to progress. Under the astute management of Simone Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri have demonstrated formidable defensive strength, conceded just one goal through the tournament since it began last September—a remarkable feat among the remaining teams.
Reflecting on the upcoming match, coach Simone spoke to Sky Sport Italia prior to kick-off, expressing optimism for the night. "I hope it will be a good night for Inter. After the victory in the first leg, we should play a bit more easily," he stated. The coach has had to cope with injuries this season, often leading his squad on painkillers. He acknowledged fans' high expectations, stating, "I will do my best to meet expectations. We will have to be competitive and united; it will definitely be a good match."
The starting lineups for both teams have been confirmed and displayed the tactical intent of each side. Inter is set to deploy a 3-5-2 formation featuring Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, and Bisseck at the back; with Dumfries, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, and C.Augusto anchoring the midfield; and Thuram and Taremi leading the attack. Feyenoord, on the other hand, will contest with a 4-3-3 setup, including Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, and Bueno defensively; Moder, Smal, and Ivanusec controlling the midfield; and Hadj Moussa, Ueda, and Sliti upfront.
Since the inception of the Champions League, dating back to the 1992-93 season, Fabio Capello records the lowest average goals conceded per game at 0.69. For his part, Simone is making strides toward this record with his current average of 0.91 goals per game, placing him seventh overall. His close competitor, Ancelotti, trails behind with one goal conceded per game, highlighting the elite defensive strategies employed under his stewardship.
Inter's tactical approach has not only secured results but has also been marked by a distinctive style characterized by solid defensive organization and effective ball possession. The average of clean sheets per game places Capello first with one clean sheet every 1.87 games, whereas Simone takes second place with one clean sheet every two games. These statistics reflect the impressive defensive resilience of the Nerazzurri, securing several victories against formidable opponents.
Looking at the fixture congestion, Inter must juggle their efforts on multiple competitive fronts, including the Serie A and Coppa Italia. After facing Feyenoord, they will immediately turn attention to Atalanta, scheduled for league action on Sunday, followed by the Coppa Italia semifinal against local rivals AC Milan. Discussing these challenges, coach Simone remarked on the pride the team takes from balancing these competitions, seeing the multiple fronts as both it as incentive to push harder.
Tonight's clash will pit Inter against Feyenoord, who, having suffered defeat last week, will seek redemption and hope for the best against the Italians. With all eyes on San Siro, spectators can expect high intensity, strategic play, and the typical atmosphere of Champions League football. The winner will face either Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen next, depending on the outcome of their concurrent fixtures.
Fans and analysts alike await the match with bated breath, as it promises to deliver thrilling football and potentially usher Inter Milan closer to European glory once again. Each moment will be pivotal as both teams clash under the bright lights of the San Siro, hoping to leave their mark on this historic competition.
Will Inter secure their place among Europe’s best once more? Only time will tell as they prepare to take on Feyenoord on what is set to be another memorable night of Champions League action.