It is a game for the ages…a clash of two of the biggest footballing cultures down the generations, and two of the most iconic cities in the sport.
So who better to offer an expert assessment of the key areas where Inter Milan v Liverpool in the Champions League will be won and lost, than Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o? Here, he offers the Mirror an exclusive insight into this fascinating tie.
The striker has played in both cities, winning an historic Champions League-Serie A double with Inter when he starred at the San Siro during the famous 2009-10 season for the club.
And even though it is often forgotten, Eto’o also played on Merseyside, in a brief spell with Everton under Roberto Martinez, before returning to Italy with Sampdoria. So he knows the strengths and weaknesses of Italian and English football inside out.
Eto’o also played in the Premier League with Chelsea, finishing third and reaching the semi final of the Champions League. But he is best known for TWO La Liga-Champions League doubles with Barcelona.
He can pinpoint then, exactly what is required to lift the most iconic of the European trophies, and in the mouth-watering clash between Inter and Liverpool, he believes midfield with a key area.
Can the combination of grit and experience of Henderson and the guile and knowledge of Thiago overwhelm the equally well balanced pairing of Vidal and Calhanoglu?
Will Salah and Mane have too much firepower for the Milan defence, and will Dzeko - still Inter’s biggest goalscoring threat - be sharp and quick enough to get past the formidable presence of van Dijk?
Will Liverpool win at the San Siro on Wednesday night? Comment below
Eto’o answers these questions and more, after Mirror Sport asked him to name and explain the five key areas, which will decide which of these footballing giants progresses to the quarter final.
It is arguably the tie of the round, a deliciously balanced encounter which doesn’t have a clear favourite, and the three time winner of Europe’s biggest competition has his say here:
The five key areas where Inter v Liverpool will be won and lost…
Arturo Vidal v Jordan Henderson
On nights like these, experience counts for so much. Neither of these players are the youngest or the quickest on the field – but have played in so many big games over the years. There will be periods of the game where at least one team will need a calming influence.
Edin Dzeko v Virgil van Dijk
Even at his age he is still one of the biggest goal scorers in Italy. He is very strong in the air and if Inter can get the right service to him he is going to be a danger. The qualities of Van Dik are obvious; he is one of the best defenders in The Champions League.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu v Thiago Alcantara
He has been such a big signing for Inter he is full of creativity and ideas. Thiago will have a big role to keep the creativity he has quiet. He makes so much happen for Inter so it is important for Liverpool to try and stop him.
Milan Škriniar v Sadio Mane
Skriniar is one of the most experienced defenders in Italy and with all of Liverpool’s quality in attack he will need that experience. Mane will have so much confidence after AFCON and he will be hungry for more trophies.
Lautaro Martinez v Joel Matip
Martinez has so much skill, so much quality and he makes things happen for Inter. If he shows the ability he can in these games then it will be difficult and even for a defender with as much experience as Matip.
