Inter host Benfica at the Stadio San Siro on Champions League Matchday 2 with both teams in Group D searching for their first victory of the 2023/24 campaign after dropping points on the opening day.
The Nerazzurri were held to a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad whereas the Aguias suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to RB Salzburg, so both sides cannot afford to slip up. Domestically, Inter and Benfica have started well in Serie A and the Primeira Liga respectively, emerging as early contenders, but they will need to bring that form into European competition fast.
This fixture is a repeat of one of the quarter-finals from the 2022/23 edition and the 1965 European Cup Final, which Inter emerged victorious on both occasions. Will the Nerazzurri triumph against Benfica or will the Portuguese giants stun their Italian counterparts?
Inter vs Benfica: Predicted line-ups
Juan Cuadrado won’t be available for Inter due to a knee injury while muscular injuries will rule out Marko Arnautovic and Stefano Sensi. Nerazzurri tactician Simone Inzaghi will likely start Benjamin Pavard and Stefan De Vrij in defence alongside Alessandro Bastoni, leaving veterans Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi on the bench.
Benfica will be missing Antonio Silva after the defender was sent off in the defeat to RB Salzburg. Former Juventus forward Angel Di Maria and ex-Nerazzurri midfielder Joao Mario should start for the Portuguese giants, but former Fiorentina striker Arthur Cabral is no guarantee to feature.
Inter predicted XI vs Benfica (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
Benfica predicted XI vs Inter (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Bah, Otamendi, Morato, Aursnes; Kokcu, Luis; Di Maria, Rafa Silva, Joao Mario; Musa
Inter vs Benfica: When does the Champions League fixture start?
Kick-off in the Champions League Matchday 2 fixture of Inter vs Benfica is set for 21:00 CEST, local time in Italy, on Tuesday, October 3.
For viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the game will start at 20:00 BST. That is 15:00 EDT / 12:00 PDT in the United States.
Inter vs Benfica: Where to watch the Champions League fixture?
For fans in the United States, Inter vs Benfica will be on Paramount+ along with other standout fixtures on Europa League Matchday 2.
Inter vs Benfica will be shown on TNT Sports 6 in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
