With qualification for the Champions League round of 16 already certain, the coach will make a turnover and, even in the event of defeat, he will have the chance to put Real Sociedad behind him on the final day. But tomorrow there are many other reasons to push the Nerazzurri
– MILAN
Inter will also be able to win first place in the Champions League group on the last day of the group, in the match that will be staged at San Siro on 12 December against Real Sociedad, but, despite rotating in view of the direct clash on Sunday at Maradona in Naples, tomorrow evening at da Luz Inzaghi doesn’t want his team to play a friendly match. For several reasons…
TWO OUT OF THREE RESULTS
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Real Sociedad will play at home against Salzburg tomorrow evening and the Spaniards will be the favorites even if the Austrians will do everything possible to secure third place in the group which means the Europa League play-offs. If Inter beat Benfica and Alguacil’s team does not do the same against Salzburg, the Nerazzurri will go into the final matchday with two results out of three on their side to reach first place in the standings (and therefore have the advantage of field factor of eighths). Inzaghi’s team, however, will have two results out of three available even in the event of a victory in Lisbon and the affirmation of Real Sociedad, provided they fix the goal difference which now sees the Spaniards at +5 (7 goals scored and 2 conceded ) against the Nerazzurri’s +3 (5 scored, 2 conceded). As? By imposing themselves with a 3-goal difference and hoping that Real Sociedad will do it with just a 1-goal margin. In this case (tie in total goal difference), Lautaro and Co. would finish ahead in the standings, even in the event of a draw (0-0 or 1-1) in the last match at San Siro, thanks to the greater number of goals scored in trip to the group.
MONEY AND RANKING
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Winning in Lisbon would also allow us to increase the money arriving from UEFA. So far Inter have earned 9.33 million in 4 matches which could rise by another 2.8 million in case of success. And then there is the club ranking which determines the composition of the groups in the draw for the next Champions League: the Nerazzurri are now in eighth place, very close to United and in the fast lane of Chelsea who do not compete in the European cups. Increasing your coefficient (calculated based on the results of the last 5 seasons in the cups) perhaps means moving up to the first of the four pots (of 9 teams each) and putting yourself in a better position in view of the first edition of the Champions League with 36 teams and with a single classification.
SAFETY
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And then there is the psychological issue: after having gained access to the Champions League round of 16 for the third season in a row with Inzaghi on the bench, Inter feel they have a European dimension and want to make as much progress as possible. Winning the fourth match out of the five played in the group would give them further awareness after reaching the last final lost in June against City. Inzaghi, who has so far won 3 points in 14 of the 25 Champions League matches on the Nerazzurri bench, has understood that this group needs to never switch off, to always keep maximum concentration. In Lisbon he will rotate, but he will ask those who take the field for the maximum.
REASONS
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For those who have been used less and are candidates to play from 1′ (Bisseck, Asslani, Frattesi and Arnautovic, just to give a few examples), this is an opportunity not to be wasted, a match to be played to the maximum demonstrate that they deserve even more space. Their desire to show off can represent a good boost against an opponent who has zero points in the Champions League group, but who is in first place in the league table with 9 wins in 11 matches.
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