Inter visit Feyenoord on 3 November, seeking a Champions League bounce-back after derby defeat

Inter arrive with one win from three

Inter visit Feyenoord at De Kuip on Tuesday, 3 November, with kick-off at 21:00 Italian time. Their Champions League campaign has produced three points from three matches: defeats by Real Madrid (1-2) and Club Brugge (3-4), and a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk with the goal scored by Carlos Augusto. Feyenoord also have three points, after a 1-5 defeat at Barcelona, a 3-2 win over Como and a 0-1 loss at Real Betis, but their goal difference is worse than Inter's. Inter's first Serie A defeat of the season came in the derby against AC Milan, which they lost 1-3, and the squad selection for that match drew criticism before this trip. Places nine to 24 in the league phase still carry a play-off, and a win is needed to stay among them.

Chivu's pre-match message

Cristian Chivu spoke at his pre-match press conference on Monday, 2 November, and framed the derby as a lesson rather than a collapse. He said he trusted the squad and the standards the players have set for the club.

“I am confident in what they will do. They are champions and they have shown it.”

He acknowledged that mistakes had been made against Milan and said the aim is not to repeat them. On the table, he said that reaching the top eight would take roughly sixteen points.

“Obviously, if you want to do the sums to reach the top eight, you need more or less sixteen points.”

Thuram, who sat beside Chivu at the conference, said the group had spoken openly after the derby. He added that the team was ready to start again.

“We told each other things to our faces, the way you do in a family. And we are ready to get going again.”

Team news

Bastoni is suspended after a red card in the last match, which leaves the defence largely settled. The probable back three is Bisseck, Akanji and Carlos Augusto, with Dimarco expected back on the flank. Lautaro Martinez is absent, so Pio Esposito is expected to partner Thuram up front. Zielinski is expected to start in midfield to rest Calhanoglu, with Barella and Mkhitaryan alongside him. Chivu said Provedel and Pavard are back after the club dealt with a couple of difficult, unforeseen situations, and that no further problems had come up.

Feyenoord and the venue

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Feyenoord's coach, said Inter have several injured players but also quality and experience, and that his side will have chances to win. He described Inter as a team similar to Feyenoord in style, one that drops into a low block and then presses high with many players moving forward. Chivu named Hadj Moussa and Zechiel as the Feyenoord players to watch, pointing to their strength in one-on-one duels. Chivu also recalled winning the Dutch Cup with Ajax at this ground and said the atmosphere at De Kuip will be hostile. Sky and NOW carry the match live, and the referee is Nyberg of Sweden, with VAR Kwiatkowski of Poland.