The most Champions League-y tie of the Europa League? Very debatable. One things for sure: this second leg will be a treat for everyone. A 3-3 draw last week seems more beneficial for the Italians, who have the all-important away goals, but if Celtic’s fight is anything to go by, it isn’t over by a long way yet.
Europa League Preview: Inter Milan v Celtic
Celtic go into the game top of the SPL after thrashing fifth place Hamilton 4-0 at the weekend, whilst Inter sit eighth in Serie A following a 2-1 away win at Caligri on Monday night, a match which Celtic boss Ronny Deila watched. “Inter have been doing well lately and are in good shape’’ he said, adding: “it’s possible to create chances against them and if we do that we have a good chance’’. This was Inter’s third domestic win on the bounce as they push within four points of a European spot in the Serie A which looked an impossibility at the start of the season.
Last week’s thrilling first leg could be seen to have been unlucky for both sides. An unlikely howler from Craig Gordon allowed Inter to go into the break 3-2 up after his team had just fought back from being 2-0 down. However, John Guidetti, scoring for the first time since the end of November, came off the bench to save the day and his final minute strike gives Celtic a glimmer of hope for their second tie at the San Siro. Had it not been for this goal it would have surely meant curtains for the Hoops, but Inter now seem slightly rattled ahead of the match.
Inter star and goal scorer in last week’s match Xherdan Shaqiri stated in an interview that Celtic ‘are more than capable of scoring goals’ but swore that his team won’t make the same mistake in the return tie and expects to see his team in the last 16 of the knockout stages. Rodrigo Palacio made it clear that the tie isn’t over and the Argentine striker warned it won’t be comfortable for his side at the San Siro. Discontent within the camp could benefit the Scottish side, with Mancini’s latest fall out being with former Manchester United man Nemanja Vidic. When signalling to be brought on to replace the injured Andrea Ranocchia in last week’s tie, Mancini claimed that Vidic had taken too long to get ready and so left his captain on the pitch. Vidic did, however, return for Inter on Monday and could push for a starting place.
Predicted line ups:
Inter Milan: Carrizo, Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Nunes Jesus, Santon, Guarín, Medel, Shaqiri, Kuzmanovic, Icardi, Palacio
Celtic: Gordon, Matthews, Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre, Brown, Bitton, Mackay-Steven, Johansen, Armstrong, Guidetti
Inter Milan are without ineligible Marcelo Brozovic and Lukas Podolski and are expected to line up the same as last week, whereas Celtic have a full fit squad after Jason Denayer suffered a minor injury in the weekend win. It is likely Celtic will make one change which should see last week’s hero Guidetti start whilst Kris Commons should start on the bench after a weekend brace.
Ronny Deila will be desperate to make an impact in Europe after the disappointment which surrounded his club in the summer: a number of fans were already calling for him to be sacked. His side need to score at least once in Italy which will be a hard thing to do considering their (normally) sturdy defence. With Inter’s three away goals and home support behind them it should be too much for Celtic to handle and ultimately enough to see them progress in the Europa League.
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