Inzaghi: ‘Inter must match intense Feyenoord, defend with 4 at times’

Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi explains how Alessandro Bastoni’s position changes the usual Inter tactics and warns they must ‘match the intensity’ of Feyenoord.

The Champions League Round of 16 tie kicks off at the De Kuip Stadium at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The decider will be at San Siro on Tuesday March 11 and there is no away goals rule now in UEFA competition.

There is an injury crisis focused largely on one area of the team, ruling out Federico Dimarco, Matteo Darmian, Carlos Augusto and Nicola Zalewski, so Alessandro Bastoni is moved to left wing-back to fill the gap.

Inzaghi outlines Inter changes for Feyenoord

“We are missing some players, unfortunately all in the same sector, and losing Dimarco makes it even more of an emergency,” Inzaghi told Amazon Prime Video Italia.

“I remain confident we will still have a great performance, because we deserve to be here in the Champions League last 16. It is not an easy moment, but we are ready.”

There had been suggestions of changing the system, but instead Inzaghi trusts Bastoni to work in this new role.

“Bastoni will play a little wider than usual, then there will be some moments when we are defending with four at the back.”

Marcus Thuram was not 100 per cent fit in recent weeks, but Inzaghi assures he has “trained without problems.”

However, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are only fit for the bench, along with goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Feyenoord eliminated Milan in the play-offs and have beaten Bayern Munich 3-0 in the Champions League opening phase.

“We know that Feyenoord play very intense matches, and I think they could be using four strikers tonight. There will be a lot of intensity,” noted the coach.

“We must know that their games can change from one moment to the next. We have to match their intensity.”