Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Inter
Match Time & Date:
22/02/2023
21:00
Prediction: 2-1
Porto
Inter play host to Porto at their Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the Champions League last 16, first leg. The Nerazzurri aim to build on a 3-1 win over Udinese, and they are seen as favourites to win Tuesday’s clash. Lautaro Martinez is widely expected to return to the starting XI, whereas Correa and Dalbert should be the only absentees in the home team.
The Dragons, on the other hand, are on a ten-game winning run in all competitions, but they will have a big fish to fry in Milano. Over the years Inter have turned their stadium into a real fortress, and given their fine form in February, home win should be considered. As for the away team, both Evanilson and Otavio are sidelined with injuries, while Gabriel Veron, Uribe, and Cardoso are major doubt. In their last meeting at “Meazza”, back in 2005, Inter defeated Porto 2-1.
Highlighted Player (Hakan Calhanoglu):
Hakan Calhanoglu is another one in the long line of Turkish footballers who were born in Germany, so it is hardly surprising he came to prominence thanks to his performances in Bundesliga. The attacking midfielder with great vision and very good goalscoring record started his professional career at Karlsruher, scoring impressive 17 goals in 50 league outings to earn a move to Bundesliga side Hamburg.
The spell at Imtech Arena was merely a stepping stone for bigger things as 11 goals in his debut top flight campaign persuaded Bayer Leverkusen to splash nearly €15 million on his services. That proved a very good investment as Calhanoglu continued the rich vein of form, and it is now a matter of time before he joins one of European powerhouses.
The midfield maestro had a bright start to his career in the Turkey national team, scoring 5 goals in first 16 caps, and chances are he will become a leader for Milli Takim in the foreseeable future.
Highlighted Team (Porto):
Futebol Clube do Porto are one of Portugal’s biggest football clubs playing their matches in front of 50,000 people at their Estadio do Dragao. Porto form biggest rivalries with two other Big Three clubs in Portugal and regular league title contenders – Benfica and Sporting CP. Rivalries between the clubs stem from the historical, political, economical and cultural discrepancies between the cities of Porto and Lisbon. The Dragons, as they are commonly known in Portugal, are the second most successful Portuguese team with a total of 74 trophies to their name.
Porto hold a record of five consecutive league titles which are part of the total tally of 27 Primeira Liga trophies. FC Porto’s success extends to the international scene as well with seven European titles. Two-time European champions from 1987 and 2004, Porto also won two UEFA Cup/Europa League titles, the UEFA Super Cup and the International Cup on two occasions. Together with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, Porto have the most appearances in the UEFA Champions League group stage – the total of 20.
