Individual battles are likely to be just as important as the tactical clash between the two teams as complete units in this evening’s Champions League round of sixteen first leg between Inter and Liverpool.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, who identify four key individual duels between Nerazzurri and Reds players.
On both wings, the wide players in Inter’s back three are likely to have their hands full, with Alessandro Bastoni facing up against Mohamed Salah while Milan Skriniar marks Sadio Mane.
The Liverpool pair are among the most prolific, quick, and technically gifted wingers in world football, and they will each pose one of the sternest test that their respective defenders face all season.
Meanwhile, Nerazzurri striker Edin Dzeko will come up against Virgil van Dijk, one of the strongest central defenders who he has faced this campaign.
The Bosnian will hope to use his unorthodox movement to drag van Dijk around the pitch and leave space for his teammates to run into, and how he uses his strength and technical ability against the Reds defender will prove key in the battle.
Lastly, Inter wing-back Ivan Perisic has been one of the Nerazzurri’s standout performers this season, and how he fares against Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could dictate how the entire match goes.
The Reds right-back is a key playmaker for his entire team, while Perisic has shown that he is capable of holding down the left flank on his own, providing defensive workrate as well as consistent deliveries.
Alexander-Arnold will look to set the tempo for his team and create danger with his range of passing, and Perisic’s task will be to both pin him back to restrict his influence and also attack space that he leaves in behind him.
How these four individual battles go will be key in determining the outcome of the entire match.