Inter Milan will aim to get the better of Slavia Praha in their UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 on Tuesday.

Inter Milan return to UEFA Champions League action at San Siro on Tuesday night as they host Czech giants Slavia Praha in what already looks like a pivotal clash in Group D.

After enduring a turbulent start to their Serie A campaign, Inter Milan have found their rhythm again. Cristian Chivu’s men followed up their cathartic 2-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam on matchday one, where Hakan Calhanoglu orchestrated both of Marcus Thuram’s goals, with consecutive domestic victories against Sassuolo and Cagliari.

The Nerazzurri’s win in Sardinia highlighted their growing confidence, as Lautaro Martinez continued his extraordinary scoring run against Cagliari while youngster Francesco Pio Esposito opened his Serie A account. Inter struck the post twice in that game, underlining their attacking threat.

San Siro has been a fortress in Europe, with Inter unbeaten in 16 Champions League home matches since a defeat to Bayern Munich three years ago, winning 13 of those. Even more impressively, they have kept clean sheets in nine of their last ten group-stage or knockout fixtures, giving them the defensive solidity to complement their attacking prowess.

Slavia Praha will arrive in Milan unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions, but their European pedigree continues to falter. Matchday 1 was a bittersweet experience: despite registering a club-record 26 shots and seeing El Hadji Youssoupha Mbodji score twice from Lukas Provod assists, they collapsed late on to draw 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt.

Domestically, Jindrich Trpisovsky’s men are flying, just one point adrift of rivals Sparta Prague in the Czech Liga after a 2-0 win over Dukla Prague. However, their continental record is far less encouraging. Slavia have not won in 12 consecutive Champions League matches since 2007, and they have lost their last three away games in Europe without scoring.

Italian trips have always been problematic, as they have seven defeats in eight visits. Their only exception came against Inter themselves in 2019, when Nicolo Barella denied them a famous win with a stoppage-time equaliser.

This will be the third meeting between these two sides. Their two previous clashes came in the 2019-20 Champions League group stage, when Inter Milan drew 1-1 at home before edging a 3-1 win away. Slavia have never beaten Inter in Europe and remain winless on Italian soil.

Inter Milan will look to control possession and break through a disciplined Slavia side with the creativity of Hakan Calhanoglu and the finishing instincts of Lautaro Martinez. With their unbeaten San Siro streak and greater European experience, the Nerazzurri enter as overwhelming favourites.

Slavia, meanwhile, will try to frustrate the hosts with intensity and organisation, relying on Lukas Provod’s delivery and Youssoupha Mbodji’s clinical touch in the box. However, their away struggles and lack of Champions League pedigree make this an uphill battle. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Inter Milan

Inter Milan head into Tuesday’s clash with a clean bill of health, a significant boost for Cristian Chivu as he looks to maintain his side’s momentum in Europe. Club captain Lautaro Martinez has recovered from a minor back injury that briefly sidelined him earlier this month, and he returned with a goal at the weekend.

The Argentine forward has happy memories against Slavia Praha too, having scored twice in their previous UEFA Champions League meeting in 2019. With no suspensions to contend with, Inter are in the rare position of having their full squad available for selection.

In terms of tactical setup, Cristian Chivu is expected to stick with his trusted 3-5-2 formation. Josep Martinez is likely to start in goal, although veteran Yann Sommer remains in contention should Chivu opt for experience between the posts. The back three should comprise Manuel Akanji on the right, Francesco Acerbi in the centre, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left, providing balance and composure in possession.

In midfield, Denzel Dumfries will slot into the right wing-back role, while Federico Dimarco will operate as the left wing-back, offering width and crossing ability. The central unit is likely to feature Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Petar Sucic, combining energy, creativity, and defensive resilience.

Up front, Lautaro Martinez is expected to lead the line alongside Marcus Thuram, with young striker Francesco Pio Esposito pushing for minutes from the bench. This setup gives Inter attacking variety, with Thuram’s movement and Lautaro’s predatory instincts posing constant danger for Slavia’s backline.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Martinez; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram

Slavia Praha

Slavia Praha travel to Milan with several notable absentees in their squad. Head coach Jindrich Trpisovsky will be without four key players due to injury: defender Dominik Javorcek, centre-back Igoh Ogbu, and experienced defender Tomas Holes, whose absence in particular weakens the defensive line. However, there is some positive news as club captain Jan Boril returned to the bench over the weekend and could feature if deemed fully fit.

For this UEFA Champions League clash, Slavia Praha are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jakub Markovic will take his place in goal, shielded by a back four of David Doudera at right-back, Stepan Chaloupek and David Zima forming the central defensive pairing, and Youssoupha Mbodji on the left side.

In midfield, Christos Zafeiris and Oscar Dorley will form the double pivot, tasked with breaking up play and providing the link between defence and attack. Further forward, Vasil Kusej is set to start on the right wing, with Muhammed Cham playing through the middle as the central attacking midfielder. Lukas Provod, who has been a consistent creator for the side, will occupy the left flank.

Leading the line will be Tomas Chory, who scored both goals in the win against Dukla Prague last weekend and remains Slavia’s most reliable presence in front of goal. Mojmir Chytil and Ivan Schranz will provide attacking options from the bench should Trpisovsky require fresh energy in the final third.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Markovic; Doudera, Chaloupek, Zima, Mbodji; Zafeiris, Oscar Dorley; Kusej, Cham, Provod; Chory

Key Stats

• This will be the third meeting between Inter Milan and Slavia Praha in European competition. Their previous two came in the 2019/20 Champions League group stage, where Inter Milan drew 1-1 at home before winning 3-1 in the reverse fixture.

• Slavia Praha have never won away to an Italian side in major European competition, losing seven of their eight attempts to date. The only exception was a 1-1 draw against Inter in September 2019.

• Inter Milan have won their last four UEFA Champions League matches against Czech sides by an aggregate score of 10-1, keeping a clean sheet in each of their last three games.

• Slavia Praha have lost their last three away matches in European competition without scoring. Their last streak of four consecutive away defeats in Europe came in October 2007.

• After beating Ajax in their opening match, Cristian Chivu could become the fourth Inter manager to win his first two Champions League games in charge, following Luciano Spalletti (2018/19), Claudio Ranieri (2011/12), and Roberto Mancini (2004/05).

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Lautaro Martinez

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Lautaro Martinez will once again carry the weight of expectation for Inter Milan in this Champions League fixture. The Argentine striker, who has firmly established himself as the club’s talisman, thrives on the big stage and has an impressive record in Europe. Known for his sharp finishing, intelligent movement, and relentless work rate, “El Toro” has already demonstrated his ability to deliver in clutch moments.

Martinez also has personal history with Slavia Praha, having scored twice against them in the 2019/20 Champions League group stage. Coming into this clash in strong form after recovering from his recent back injury, his presence will give Inter a decisive cutting edge.

Whether linking up with Marcus Thuram or spearheading the attack on his own, Lautaro’s combination of technical quality and tenacity makes him the clear danger man. If Inter are to continue their unbeaten run at San Siro in Europe, much will depend on Lautaro Martinez’s ability to stretch Slavia’s backline and convert the chances that come his way.

Prediction

Inter Milan 3-0 Slavia Praha

Inter Milan enter this contest as heavy favourites. Cristian Chivu’s side not only boast superior quality across the pitch but also carry an excellent home record in the Champions League, unbeaten in their last 16 European games at San Siro. With Lautaro Martinez back to full fitness and Marcus Thuram in sharp form, the Nerazzurri should have too much firepower for Slavia Praha to contain.

Slavia arrive on a solid unbeaten domestic run, but their struggles in Europe – particularly away from home – continue to be a concern. Having never won on Italian soil and with several key players injured, Jindrich Trpisovsky’s men will likely find it difficult to cope with the tempo and intensity Inter will impose. Their defensive gaps, as shown late on against Bodo/Glimt, could again be exposed by Inter’s pressing and set-piece strength.

Expect Inter to dominate possession, create sustained pressure, and secure a comfortable victory that reinforces their status as group favourites. Slavia may fight with spirit, but their lack of clinical edge and poor away record in Europe should prove decisive.