Inter v CSKA Moscow Preview

Inter Milan have a chance to get into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2003, if they can follow up their impressive performance against Chelsea by beating CSKA Moscow in the quarter-finals.

Inter are unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season and Jose Mourinho will be looking for his side to take at least a one goal advantage to Russia next week.

Previous meetings

• Inter came out on top when these teams met in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage. Inter won 2-1 in Moscow in October 2007, overturning the first-half lead given to their hosts by Jô through goals from Hernán Crespo and Walter Samuel after the break.
• Inter produced an even more spectacular comeback in the return in Milan where they trailed 2-0 to goals from Jô and Vágner Love only to hit back through double strikes from both Esteban Cambiasso and Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Match background

• European champions twice in the 1960s, Inter are seeking their first semi-final appearance since 2002/03 when they lost to neighbours AC Milan. Inter have since fallen twice at the quarter-final stage, in 2004/05 and 2005/06.
• Mourinho has a 100% record in UEFA Champions League quarter-finals having won at this stage with FC Porto (2004) and Chelsea (2005, 2007).
• UEFA Cup winners in 2005, CSKA are aiming to become the first Russian side since Spartak Moscow in 1991 to contest a semi-final in Europe’s elite club competition.
• This season Inter are undefeated at home both in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League, where they have registered two wins and two draws.
• The second leg takes place on 6 April. The victorious team will take on the winner of the quarter-final between Arsenal and Barcelona in the semi-finals.

Prediction

Inter fans were flying with optimism after the win over Chelsea and they are expecting Inter to win this tie comfortably. I am not so sure that it will be as easy as many Inter fans think it will be. CSKA is a good side, and the trip to Moscow, on the fake turf, will not be an easy one.

Inter have not played well since the Chelsea victory, but I am expecting a much better performance Wednesday at home. Sneijder, Eto’o and Milito should be too much for the CSKA defence and I expect Inter to go to Moscow with a one goal lead.

Score: Inter 1 CSKA Moscow 0