In-form Inter field stars for Atletico clash
Inter Milan have a near full-strength line up for the first leg of their Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid, at the San Siro on Tuesday.
The only first-choice player who did not make Simone Inzaghi's starting XI is injured Italy defender Francesco Acerbi, who is replaced by Stefan De Vrij.
In-form strike partnership Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will lead the attack for the biggest match of Inter's season to date.
Inter lead Serie A by nine points after winning every match in 2024 and are trying to replicate last season's run to the final, where they were beaten by Manchester City.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone has plumped for Marcos Llorente up front alongside France forward Antoine Griezmann, who will be fresh after being rested for Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Las Palmas.
Memphis Depay is on the bench, with Spain striker Alvaro Morata who has recovered in time from a knee injury to potentially play a part on Tuesday.
Morata is Atletico's top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions, five of which he scored in the LaLiga outfit's charge to the top of Group E.
Teams:
Inter Milan (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Stefan De Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez
Coach: Simone Inzaghi (ITA)
Atletico Madrid (3-5-2)
Jan Oblak; Axel Witsel, Jose Maria Gimenez, Mario Hermoso; Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Koke, Saul Niguez, Samuel Lino; Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann
Coach: Diego Simeone (ARG)
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU)
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