Sparta Prague vs Inter Milan | Champions League | League Stage | Pre Match

Inter Milan are on the brink of securing automatic qualification to the Champions League Round of 16, and their next hurdle comes in the form of Sparta Prague, whom they face on Wednesday. With 13 points from six matches, Simone Inzaghi’s side is poised to bypass the playoffs, while Sparta Prague languishes near the bottom of the standings with just four points, facing the threat of elimination.

Inter’s campaign has been characterized by resilience and defensive solidity, though they recently suffered their first Champions League defeat of the season, a last-minute loss to Bayer Leverkusen. That goal, scored in the 90th minute, marked the first time the Nerazzurri conceded in the group stage, ending a streak of five consecutive clean sheets. Despite the setback, Inter remain strong contenders for a top-eight finish, and victories in their remaining matches against Sparta Prague and Monaco would ensure their place in the next round.

Simone Inzaghi’s men have been a model of consistency this season, losing just three of their 29 matches across all competitions. Two of those losses came against city rivals AC Milan, including a dramatic Supercoppa Italiana final where Inter squandered a two-goal lead. Despite that disappointment, the team rebounded with impressive form in Serie A, where they are just three points behind league leaders Napoli, with a game in hand. A 3-1 victory over Empoli on Sunday highlighted their attacking firepower, with Lautaro Martinez opening the scoring, Denzel Dumfries netting his fourth goal in five matches, and Marcus Thuram coming off the bench to seal the win.

Defensively, Inter have been equally formidable, setting a new club record with six consecutive away victories in Serie A without conceding a goal. Their robust backline, led by stalwarts like Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavard, will be key as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record against Czech opponents in European competition. Inter have faced Sparta Prague four times in UEFA competitions, winning three encounters and losing once. However, this will be the first time the two clubs meet in the Champions League.

For Sparta Prague, the situation is far more precarious. The Czech champions are enduring a torrid run of form in the group stage, losing their last four matches while conceding a staggering 17 goals. Their most recent outing, a 4-2 defeat to Feyenoord, saw them fall behind by three goals within the first 30 minutes. Although they started their campaign brightly, with a 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg and a draw against Stuttgart, Sparta now faces an uphill battle to climb into the top 24. To achieve that, they must win both of their remaining matches and hope other results go their way.

Statistically, Sparta’s Champions League record makes for grim reading. They have managed just one win in their last 20 matches in the competition outside the qualifying rounds. Their home form, once a source of pride, has also crumbled, with a 12-game unbeaten streak at Letná Stadium shattered this season. Notably, they suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, the heaviest loss in the club’s Champions League history.

Domestically, Sparta Prague’s fortunes have not been much better. After an impressive 15-game unbeaten start to their season, they have now lost eight of their last 17 matches across all competitions, keeping just one clean sheet in their last 10 outings. This poor form has seen them slip behind rivals Slavia Prague in the Czech Liga title race. Coach Lars Friis has used the domestic winter break to regroup his squad, taking them to a training camp in Spain where they secured friendly wins over Malmo and Bodo/Glimt. However, the intensity of their upcoming fixtures, including a daunting trip to Bayer Leverkusen, represents a significant step up in challenge.

In terms of personnel, Sparta Prague will rely on forward Albion Rrahmani, who scored against Feyenoord, and Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji, who has been involved in three goals from his three Champions League starts this season. However, injuries have depleted their squad, with Imanol Garcia, Angelo Preciado, and Lukas Haraslin all unavailable. The potential return of Elias Cobbaut and the additions of Magnus Andersen from Venezia and Jan Kuchta on loan from Midtjylland could bolster their options.

Inter Milan, on the other hand, are managing their own injury concerns. Hakan Calhanoglu, Joaquin Correa, and Yann Bisseck remain sidelined, though the returns of Pavard and Acerbi provide a boost to their defensive depth. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who made a substitute appearance against Empoli, could feature in the starting lineup, though Piotr Zielinski’s recent form makes him difficult to displace. Lautaro Martinez, rediscovering his scoring touch, is likely to lead the attack. The Argentine forward has netted 111 Serie A goals, matching Mauro Icardi as Inter’s second-highest foreign scorer, and will look to add to his tally against Sparta.

This encounter represents a significant opportunity for Inter Milan to reinforce their credentials as one of Europe’s elite clubs. Their defensive discipline, combined with the attacking prowess of Martinez, Thuram, and Dumfries, makes them formidable opponents. Meanwhile, Sparta Prague must summon their best performance of the season to keep their slim hopes of progression alive. A positive result against the Serie A champions would not only boost morale but also provide a platform for their final group-stage match against Leverkusen.

As the match approaches, all eyes will be on the contrasting fortunes of these two clubs. Inter Milan, brimming with confidence and form, aim to confirm their status among Europe’s top teams, while Sparta Prague, battling against the odds, hope to stage an unlikely turnaround. Whatever the outcome, the clash promises to deliver drama, as the Champions League often does.