Focus on Inter Milan as they prepare for Tottenham showdown in Champions League

Jonathan Veal 18:42 27/11/2018
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  • Mauro Icardi

    Tottenham host Inter Milan in a must-win Champions League Group B clash at Wembley on Wednesday.

    Luciano Spalletti’s men are in pole position to qualify ahead of Spurs, sitting on seven points after four games.

    Here, Press Association Sport takes a closer look at the Italian giants.

    Comeback kings

    Spurs will need no reminder of this, but it is Inter’s bouncebackability in games that has put them in such a strong position. They were losing their opening Group B game against Mauricio Pochettino’s side 1-0 until the 85th minute before coming away with a 2-1 win thanks to some late drama, a feat they repeated in matchday two against PSV – albeit earlier in the game. But their most important late goal so far might just be last time out when they snatched a 1-1 draw with Barcelona at the San Siro, thanks to Mauro Icardi’s 87th-minute goal, which put the knockout stages within their grasp.

    Mauro Icardi’s having a party

    Striker Icardi has been the difference for Inter as he has scored three out of his side’s five Champions League goals and all of them were either equalising or go-ahead goals. Those three goals make up a scintillating run of 11 in his last 14 games in all competitions and it was kick-started by his stunning strike at the San Siro against Spurs in September, where he hit a sublime first-time volley into the bottom corner from outside the area. The home defence will be keeping a close eye on him.

    Getting back to the top

    After several years in the doldrums, Inter are back in the big time this season as they compete in the Champions League for the first time since 2011-12. They are also hoping to challenge for their first Serie A title since 2010, but such is the strength of Juventus that even though Spalletti’s men have taken 28 points from their first 13 games they are still nine points behind Juve. Still, they have enjoyed some red-letter days already this season, notably a 1-0 win over city rivals AC Milan, which came courtesy of another late goal.

    European heavyweights

    Although they have been off the scene for a while, Inter Milan are still one of the most famous names in European football and they have a rich history. They have won the European Cup three times, most recently in its current guise as the Champions League in 2010, when Jose Mourinho guided them to glory. They have 18 Serie A titles in their trophy cabinet, seven Coppa Italias and three UEFA Cups.

    Past meetings

    If the previous five meetings between the two sides are anything to go by, then we can expect drama at Wembley. There have been 22 goals in those games, with Spurs winning both games on home turf and Inter winning all three at the San Siro. The Nerazzuri were beaten 3-0 in the Europa League five years ago, three years after going down 3-1 at White Hart Lane in the Champions League group stages. They last won in London in 2010 when they beat Chelsea in the last 16 on their way to winning the tournament.

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