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2022/23 UEFA Champions League
Round of 16
First leg
Inter Milan v FC Porto
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
Milan, Italy
Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Kick-off is at 22h00
Inter Milan's
UEFA Champions League credentials will be seriously tested when they face an in-form FC Porto in the round of 16 at the San Siro on Wednesday, February 22.
The Nerazzurri are Napoli's closest challengers in Serie A, although they are 15 points adrift of the summit after being held to a goalless draw by Sampdoria last Monday.
Simone Inzaghi's side have only lost once in their last 12 games across all competitions and beat arch-rivals AC Milan in both the Italian Super Cup and the league in the space of 18 days.
Inter will also be buoyed by their performances in the Champions League group stages as they emerged from a tough Group C containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona as runners-up.
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The Dragons are been in phenomenal form in the Primeira Liga lately, although they still trail Benfica by five points in second place.
Sergio Conceicao's team have embarked on an impressive 21-match unbeaten run across all competitions, which included reaching the Taca de Portugal semi-finals, where they will meet Famalicao.
They haven't lost in the league since October 21 and a 2-1 triumph over Sporting CP last Sunday was their fifth win on the spin.
World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez is enjoying another productive season at Inter with 12 goals to his name in 22 league appearances, having bagged 21 in 35 games last term. The Argentina international helped his country to a third World Cup title in Qatar by scoring the winning penalty in the shootout against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Porto striker Mehdi Taremi also featured at the World Cup and bagged a brace in Iran's 6-2 defeat to England during the group stages. The 30-year-old was on target against Vizela in the Primeira Liga earlier this month to register his 11th goal - one behind the trio of Goncalo Ramos, Joao Mario and Fran Navarro in the scoring charts.
In team news, Robin Gosens (muscle) and Joaquin Correa (thigh) are the only absentees for the hosts, while the visitors must do without Wendell (muscle), Fabio Cardoso (calf), Evanilson,
Otavio (both thigh), Gabriel Veron (ankle) and Francisco Meixedo (ligaments).
Inzaghi was pleased with a third straight clean sheet against La Samp and is hoping to see another team effort for the visit of the Portuguese giants.
"The solidity of these last few games is an excellent fact: it's thanks to everyone because the boys all play the defensive phase together, as a team," the Italian said.
Conceicao admits the condensed fixture schedule is doing his players no favours as his squad has been stretched thin since the season resumed on December 28 after the World Cup break.
"Anything that is four or less days apart between games increases the players' risk of injury by six times," he said. "We have many casualties and fewer options, deep down."
Head-to-Head (Previous Champions League Meetings)
Matches - 4
Inter - 2
Porto - 1
Draws - 1
UEFA Champions League fixtures:
Tuesday, February 21
22h00: Liverpool v Real Madrid
22h00: Eintract Frankfurt v Napoli
Wednesday, February 22
22h00: RB Leipzig v Manchester City
22h00: Inter Milan v Porto
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