2010 UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan will face Olympique Marseille in the first leg of their ‘Round of 16’ match against the French side in Europe’s most elite competition.
The teams will clash at Stade Velodrome in Marseille as under-fire Inter Milan coach Claudio Ranieri will be looking for a victory to overcome their poor run of results, particularly in the Italian Serie A.
For Inter, Walter Samuel is all set to return after his successful recovery from a thigh strain. Diego Milito and Dejan Stankovic are also expected to return to the starting line-up.
Marseille manager Didier Deschamps will miss the services of Loic Remy, who is unavailable for the first-leg match against Inter due to a hamstring injury. The absence of the French international forward could prove to be the only problem for Marseille.
Everyone’s eyes will be on Inter striker Diego Forlan who will play his first Champions League game for the Italian side. The Uruguayan striker has been eagerly waiting for the match against Marseille, as he was cup-tied in the tournament till the winter break.
The Golden Ball winner at the FIFA World Cup 2010 is desperate to return to Europe’s most prestigious tournament. And the ‘Forlan effect’ could work well in Inter’s favour if they are aiming to come home with an away goal against Marseille.
Both teams look equal in their strengths and weaknesses, which makes the result very difficult to predict. But its certain that the team with an advantage at the end of the first leg will definitely have a higher chance of making it to the quarterfinals.
Probable line-ups: Marseille: Mandanda, Azpilicueta, Diawara, Nkoulou, Morel, Kabore, Cheyrou, Amalfitano, Valbuena, A. Ayew, Brandao
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo, Zanetti, Palombo, Cambiasso, Poli, Sneijder, Milito