Overview:

The last match of the Round of 16 in the Champions League will be played tonight at the San Siro in Milan when Inter host Liverpool. Liverpool face a tough battle despite winning 2-0 in the first leg. Inter are a very powerful team and they will be looking to score from the moment the referee blows his first whistle. Liverpool will probably look to stay back, play a safe game and use Fernando Torres’s pace to break into lighting counter-attacks. Although their manager, Rafa Benitez insisted on the fact that Liverpool will not do that and openly said that they will go for an attacking game because against a team like Inter it is impossible to defend for a little period of time without conceding.

Current form:

Inter have lost only 4 games in all competitions this season, one of them being the first leg against Liverpool. Liverpool on the other hand have had a poor season so far, from title-favorites they are now struggling to get in the first 4 positions in the Premiership in order to qualify for next year’s Champions League.

Players:

Ibrahimovic is back for Inter after a knee injury but Materrazi is suspended after that red card in the first leg,and there are still doubts with Chivu but he will make an effort to play because he is needed. Mascherano is fit again and will return for Liverpool but Finnan will miss this one because of a hamstring problem.

Key battles:

I would like to point out the most important players and how their performance will impact the game. First of all Ibrahimovic and Cruz are the threat for Liverpool, if they can get the ball at their feet and face towards goal, it will be tough for Liverpool to handle them. Another important couple of players are Gerrard and Torres. It is clear to me that Liverpool will defend more than attack but when they do get the ball they will try to look for their captain,who needs to play his best game because his team really needs him now. Torres is a major threat when it comes to counter-attack his pace is deadly and he only needs to score once to force Inter to score 4…and so on.

Possible line-ups:

Inter: Julio César - Maicon, Burdisso, Chivu, J. Zanetti (cap.) - Stankovic, Vieira, Cambiasso - Jimenez - Cruz, Ibrahimovic.
Liverpool: Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio - Mascherano, Lucas - Benayoun, Gerrard (cap.), Riise - Fernando Torres