Preview: Inter Milan vs. Red Bull Salzburg - prediction, team news, lineups

Last season's beaten finalists are unbeaten in Group D, but Simone Inzaghi should be wary of their opponents capable of stunning the home support in Milan.

Match preview

Lautaro Martinez missed several chances in Inter's last European game, but the Nerazzurri captain's misses were not costly as Inzaghi's men secured a 1-0 victory over Benfica.

The victory was Inter's 50th group stage Champions League win, and the Italian giants seek their 51st on Tuesday, entering the match as favourites to secure maximum points.

Last season's runners-up overcame Torino in Serie A at the weekend to continue their brilliant start to the new Serie A season, and Marcus Thuram — the match-winner against the Portuguese side on matchday two and a goalscorer in Turin — could play a pivotal part.

The Frenchman has dovetailed commendably with Martinez early doors this season but is also on the same wavelength with Denzel Dumfries, who has set up the striker a few times, recently against Torino on Saturday.

Inzaghi's cup expertise means Inter are favourites to make it out as winners of Group D, and they could take a positive step towards progress in the first of two games against Salzburg.

Tuesday's visitors missed the chance to become the first Austrian side to claim back-to-back wins at the start of the competition's group stage as they fell to a 2-0 defeat by Real Sociedad.

Salzburg conceding twice in the game's opening half-hour meant they were fighting a losing battle on home turf, a deficit they could not claw back.

They did stun Benfica on matchday one, securing a 2-0 loss at Estadio da Luz to end an eight-game winless away run in the competition, and they seek consecutive triumphs on their travels.

Preparations for Gerhard Struber's men have been imperfect, with a 1-0 defeat against LASK in their domestic league on Saturday leaving the Austrian giants with one league victory in the last five, unideal before facing Inter.

They are rank outsiders to pull off a shock at San Siro, a fact Struber hopes could motivate his side to a sterling showing.

Inter Milan Champions League form:

D

W

Inter Milan form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

D

W

Red Bull Salzburg Champions League form:

W

L

Red Bull Salzburg form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

D

L

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Team News

Inter's Serie A fixture with Roma next Sunday could tempt Inzaghi into rotating his lineup as he is wont to do, but the Nerazzurri boss should start Thuram and Martinez up top, resisting granting Alexis Sanchez a start to partner the World Cup-winning striker.

While Alessandro Bastoni was rested at Torino, the Italy defender should return to the backline, possibly replacing Stefan de Vrij in the side.

Juan Cuadrado and Marko Arnautovic are absent due to muscle injuries, ruling out the pair until November.

Salzburg have several injury issues going into Tuesday's game, with Fernando, Sekou Koita, Bryan Okoh, Lukas Wallner, and Justin Omoregie expected to be absent; Mads Bidstrup (illness) and Kamil Piatkowski (calf) are doubtful and not anticipated to play any part at San Siro.

Roko Simic netted a penalty and assisted Oscar Gloukh's strike in the 2-0 win at Benfica, and the forward must play an important role to see injury-ravaged Salzburg get anything on matchday three.

Inter Milan possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez

Red Bull Salzburg possible starting lineup:

Schlager; Dedic, Pavlovic, Baidoo, Terzic; Capaldo, Gourna-Douath, Kjaergaard; Gloukh; Simic, Konate

We say: Inter Milan 2-0 Red Bull Salzburg

Even though Salzburg are unbeaten on their travels all season, Inter should make their technical superiority count against the visitors without several players in the meeting at San Siro.

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