Inter come into this game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Cesena at the weekend and the Nerazzurri have it all to do after a 3-1 defeat in the first leg last Thursday in Germany where Inter started brightly and took the lead but then capitulated after some defensive mistakes as has been the problem all season.

This is Inter’s most important game of the season as the Europa League represents the club’s best opportunity of European qualification for next season.

Wolfsburg come to the San Siro having lost just once in their last 21 matches in all competitions.

Dieter Hecking’s team followed up their first leg win against Inter with a 3-0 win against Freiburg which sees them sit in 2nd place in the Bundesliga.

Inter will be boosted by the absence of Wolfsburg defender Naldo who scored in the first leg. The Brazilian is suspended.

This is the Inter team news and probable line-up as reported by Sky Sport 24:

Inter could change formation for this game from a 4-3-1-2 to a 4-2-3-1 set up.

Roberto Mancini is expected to keep faith with Europa League goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo despite the Argentine having a hand in all 3 goals conceded in the first leg.

In the full back positions things could change as Yuto Nagatomo, Jonathan and Dodo are all injured. Davide Santon will play at left back but Hugo Campagnaro may well replace Danilo D’Ambrosio at right back.

In central defence the Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus partnership will return after the Brazilian missed the Cesena match due to suspension.

The two holding midfielders will be Fredy Guarin and Gary Medel.

Xherdan Shaqiri picked up an injury against Cesena but has been called up to the Inter squad so that Mancini can evaluate the player’s condition, but at this stage Mateo Kovacic is the favourite to start in the trequartista role.

Wide right position is expected to go to the in-form Rodrigo Palacio and on the left Hernanes is expected to start.

The lone striker will be Mauro Icardi.

Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-2-3-1) Carrizo, Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Santon, Guarin, Medel, Palacio, Kovacic, Hernanes, Icardi.

Bench: Handanovic, Berni, Andreolli, Vidic, D’Ambrosio, Donkor, Kuzmanovic, Obi, Puscas, Shaqiri.

Some Stats:

Inter are unbeaten in their last 11 home games in European competition.

Wolfsburg have never kept a clean sheet against Italian opposition.

Wolfsburg have registered the most shots on target in this year’s Europa League.

Inter have only won 1 of their last 5 home matches against German opposition.

Player to Watch: Rodrigo Palacio – After a bad start to this season we are finally starting to see glimpses of the Palacio from last season. He has also scored 3 goals in his last 3 Europa League games.

My Prediction: Inter 2-1 Wolfsburg

Scorers: Hernanes, Palacio (Inter), De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)

Officials: Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)    Assistants: Beck, Collin

Fourth Official: Burt    Additional Assistants: Taylor, Friend

 

Author’s Note: I do think Inter can win this game, but as we seen last week and all season so far our defence make mistakes all too often. The problem is stopping Wolfsburg from scoring but we all live in hope of the golden 2-0 result we need to qualify.