90min
·5 mars 2025
Feyenoord vs Inter: Preview, predictions and lineups

90min
·5 mars 2025
Feyenoord are aiming to upset another Milan club in this season's Champions League, with the Dutch side taking on Inter in the round of 16.
Feyenoord were manager-less when they faced Milan in the play-off round, but they defied the odds after claiming a 1-0 win on home soil in the first leg. After falling behind within the opening minute to a goal from former striker Santiago Gimenez, the visitors benefitted from Theo Hernandez's sending off before restoring parity on the night via an emphatic Julian Carrranza header.
Their draw at the San Siro was enough for them to qualify for the knockout stages of this competition in 50 years, and former striker Robin van Persie has since been appointed as manager.
Inter have had their domestic issues as of late, but they were excellent during the league phase. The Nerazzurri finished fourth in the table having conceded just once in eight games. They've been a superb cup team under Simone Inzaghi, although they succumbed to Atletico Madrid at this stage last season.
Wednesday's hosts are also locked in an enthralling Serie A title race with Napoli, with whom they drew 1-1 on Saturday, and Atalanta. Juventus are also sniffing around.
Here's 90min's preview of Wednesday's Champions League round of 16 first leg.
Robin van Persie is the man at the helm / BSR Agency/GettyImages
Van Persie inherited a decimated squad, and Feyenoord's availability woes have refused to ease in time for Wednesday's first leg against the Nerazzurri.
The hosts are without a long list of players, including Hwang In-beom, Bart Nieuwkoop, Calvin Stengs, Gernot Trauner and Ayase Ueda. Starting goalkeeper Justin Bijlow and captain Quinten Timber are also sidelined. In fact, Timber is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Givairo Read, the teenager who started the second leg of Feyenoord's play-off in Milan, is suspended, while Jakub Moder and Antoni Milambo are doubts.
Feyenoord predicted lineup vs Inter (4-3-3): Wellenreuther; Mitchell, Beelen, Hancko, Bueno; Ivanusec, Moder, Smal; Hadj Moussa, Carranza, Paixao.
Federico Dimarco will miss Wednesday's game / Image Photo Agency/GettyImages
Federico Dimarco was forced off in Naples after opening the scoring with a sublime free-kick, and he'll miss Wednesday's game with the knock he picked up on Saturday.
His absence has come at the wrong time for Inter, with alternative left wing-backs Matteo Darmian, Nicola Zalewski and Carlos Augusto all poised to miss the first leg in Rotterdam.
However, Inter have received a couple of fitness boosts ahead of the game. Both Hakan Calhanoglu and Yann Sommer are expected to be fit, and the pair are likely to be included in Simone Inzaghi's starting XI.
Inter predicted lineup vs Feyenoord (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Pavard, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dumfries; Thuram, Martinez.
Feyenoord have done exceptionally well to reach this phase of the competition, but the odds are stacked against them in the round of 16. There's certainly a fallibility about this Inter team, and the absence of a natural left wing-back could bring about a few balancing issues.
They're not completely sure of themselves at the moment, and De Kuip is a tough place to go. Feyenoord have thrashed Bayern Munich and eased past Milan in their previous two home Champions League outings.
However, this squad has been obliterated by injuries. Van Persie has only just arrived, and it's going to take the new manager time. Feyenoord may be fearless given that they have little to lose, but Inter's savvy should eventually shine through in Rotterdam.