Match Preview: Inter Milan vs Red Star Belgrade

After a hard-earned draw in their Champions League opener, Inter Milan will be aiming for their first group-stage victory as they take on Red Star Belgrade at San Siro this Tuesday.

While Inter have established a solid reputation on home turf, Red Star Belgrade is still chasing their first away win in the modern Champions League era, having last tasted road victory during the old European Cup days.

Inter Milan

Inter Milan entered the 2023-24 Champions League campaign as last season’s runners-up, having narrowly lost to Manchester City in the final. In their first group-stage match this season, they met City again and showcased a resolute defensive performance, becoming just the second team to prevent Pep Guardiola’s side from scoring at home in the Champions League.

Inter’s defensive stability is underscored by their impressive 13 clean sheets in their last 22 matches at this level, the most by any team since the 2022-23 season. They’ve also only been defeated twice in their last 16 games in the competition. At home, their unbeaten streak in the Champions League now stretches to nine matches, their longest run since their 2010 final win against Bayern Munich.

Ahead of this match, Inter secured a much-needed 3-2 win over Udinese after a tough spell, which included a loss in the Derby della Madonnina to AC Milan. Davide Frattesi opened the scoring early, and Lautaro Martinez, who hadn’t found the net this season, added two crucial goals to give Inter a confidence boost ahead of the Red Star clash.

Team News

Inter’s main concern going into their first home game in this season’s Champions League is the fitness of key midfielder Nicolo Barella, who missed the weekend’s match due to a thigh injury. If he remains unavailable, Piotr Zielinski or Davide Frattesi will likely take his place.

The only confirmed absentee is Canadian wing-back Tajon Buchanan. With a demanding league game against Torino coming up, coach Simone Inzaghi might rotate his squad. However, Inter’s starting lineup will still feature plenty of experience, as seen in their previous match against Manchester City, where the average age of their XI was nearly 30.

Red Star Belgrade

Inter Milan have faced Red Star Belgrade before, in the quarter-finals of the 1980-81 European Cup, where they won 2-1 on aggregate. Historically, Red Star have struggled against Italian sides, with no wins in their last eight encounters with Serie A teams, dating back to 2005.

In last season’s Champions League, Red Star finished bottom of their group, losing five out of six games. However, they bounced back by winning their seventh consecutive Serbian league title and qualified for this year’s Champions League by defeating Bodo/Glimt in the playoffs.

Red Star lost 2-1 to Benfica in their opening group match this season, after conceding two early goals, though Felicio Milson scored a late consolation. Domestically, however, they’ve been in fine form, recording a 4-0 win over Partizan Belgrade in the Eternal Derby and a 2-1 victory over Zeleznicar Pancevo, remaining unbeaten in their league campaign.

Despite their domestic success, Red Star’s Champions League away form remains a significant issue, as they have lost all nine of their away matches in the competition—a record shared by only two other teams.

Team News

Red Star will be without Ognjen Mimovic (foot injury) and long-term absentee Vladimir Lucic (knee) for the trip to Milan.

In midfield, Rade Krunic, who won the Scudetto with AC Milan in 2022, will line up alongside Timi Elsnik. Elsnik was a standout performer in the match against Benfica, leading the team in key stats, including the most chances created (four), most passes completed (58), most line-breaking passes (16), and the most possession recoveries (eight).

Up front, Cherif Ndiaye, fresh off a hat-trick in the Eternal Derby, is set to compete with Bruno Duarte for a starting spot. Ndiaye is Red Star’s top scorer this season, with seven goals to his name.

Conclusion

Inter Milan head into this match as clear favorites, having won nine of their last 13 Champions League home games. After their morale-boosting win at the weekend, Inzaghi’s side should be in strong form and ready to exploit Red Star Belgrade’s dismal away record in European competitions.

Prediction: Over 2.5 home goals