Porto vs Inter Milan: UCL Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups, and Fantasy XI

Porto vs Inter Milan is a tie that has all in the balance as the Italian side holds a slender 1-0 lead going into the second leg.

Porto vs Inter Milan: Match Preview:

Sergio Conceicao will hope the loss to Inter Milan in the first-leg clash was just a blip in their season. Porto welcomes the Nerrazuri with a point to prove at the Estadio Dragao in what seems like a must-win game for the Primeira Liga champions.

The game at the San Siro was far from soulless, as Porto went head-to-head against Inter. A late goal from substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the win for the Italians. Still, Conceicao will have rued the way Otavio was sent off, which certainly gave the home side the advantage.

Porto will hope to show their true colours at home when they host Inter, as they are in a good run of form. The Portuguese champions had won 10 straight games before that trip to the San Siro. Even in the Champions League, they had secured victory in the last four group games to top the standings.

Inter Milan knows their job is far from done despite having a slender advantage in this tie. Lukaku's late winner may have put their noses in front, but Simone Inzaghi will know the challenges ahead for qualifying for the last eight of the Champions League.

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 💥

Preparados para a 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲 ⚽💪#FCPFCIM #UCL pic.twitter.com/WONBTQF97z

— FC Porto (@FCPorto) March 13, 2023

Between that victory against Porto at home and now, Inter have lost two of their three Serie A games. The latest came at the weekend against Spezia. While they remain under pressure to keep hold of the second spot domestically, Inzaghi will be expected to take the team into the quarters of the Champions League.

Inter also have a terrible record against Portuguese opponents away from home in UEFA competitions, winning only one of their eight outings. Their last two visits here had resulted in defeat, but that came back in 2006. Inzaghi will hope to clear that record to some degree and steer his side into the next round with a positive result against Porto.

Team News:

Porto:

Porto have a few injury problems, with Evanilson and Gabriel Veron ruled out of the Inter Milan game. Meanwhile, they will miss Otavio after the attacking midfielder's sending-off in the first leg. Daniel Namaso could replace the absent star in the side for the return game.

Crónica de treino👉 https://t.co/wRgaai36B6#FCPFCIM #UCL pic.twitter.com/fjNUamhvM7

— FC Porto (@FCPorto) March 13, 2023

Galeno was taken off against Inter early in the second period, although he returned to the bench last weekend. Conceicao will decide on his inclusion for the second leg. If absent, Pepe Aquino will switch sides, and Andre Franco could come in on the right side of the attack.

Inter Milan:

Joaquin Correa and Milan Skriniar are doubts here, with the former certainly out of contention for the midweek game. The defender could recover and make a return to their backline.

Segui la conferenza stampa di mister Inzaghi e @hakanc10 in diretta da Porto 🎙️#ForzaInter #PortoInter #UCL

— Inter (@Inter) March 13, 2023

Inzaghi could make a few changes from the team that played against Spezia at the weekend. Andre Onana should return in goal and replace Samir Handanovic. Milan Skriniar should complete the back three and replace Danilo D'Ambrosio.

Porto vs Inter Milan: Head to Head:

The two teams will be meeting for the sixth time, with all their previous meetings coming in the Champions League. Inter Milan have a better record in these games with three wins.

Porto have just one win to their name and one game has ended in a draw. Interestingly, all three of the visitors' wins against the hosts have come at San Siro.

Testa alla prossima sfida 🔜#ForzaInter #UCL pic.twitter.com/Y7pwDY4Xnf

— Inter (@Inter) March 12, 2023

The visitors have not qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League since the 2010-11 campaign.

Predicted Line-ups:

Porto Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Costa; Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Sanusi; Grujic, Uribe; Franco, Namaso, Aquino; Taremi

Inter Milan Probable lineup (3-5-2) – Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lukaku, Martinez

FCP vs IM: Fantasy XI

Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Pepe, Grujic, Uribe,Calhanoglu, Lukaku, Martinez, Taremi, Namaso.