A reunion with old friends, and a few old habits
Inter and Lyon meet again, three draws in their history, but Tony Roberts returns to Milan with a Lyon side that knows how to win ugly.
Three meetings, three draws. Inter and Lyon have spent their European nights together politely refusing to win. Now, on Tuesday, they meet again, and only one of them can afford to be so courteous.
Inter sit top of Serie A, unbeaten, but their manager must watch from the stands after his touchline ban. Giovanni Orlando, the attacking midfielder who ran the show in Molde last month, is out with broken ribs until mid-December. The usual 4-2-3-1 DM AM Wide has been their shape all year, and it will be again, with Marcelo leading the line and Davide Vitagliano on the right. But Marcelo is tired, as are Robespierre, Braian Romero and Rio Supriyadi. The team that has taken 2.36 points a game in that shape may have to dig deeper than usual.
Lyon arrive with Tony Roberts, the manager who left Inter for France, and a 4-4-2 that has been their default all season. They are missing José Manuel Cifuentes, Franck Ekwalla and Aoula Diarra, but Javi and David Mândrescu have been in fine form. Javi has made eight clear-cut chances in his last five games, and Mândrescu has three goals and two assists in the same span. Yet Mândrescu is tired, and Ştefan Gârlonța is jaded. Lyon's record against a 4-2-3-1 DM AM Wide is impressive: five wins in six, with only three goals conceded. But those legs may not carry them as easily as the numbers suggest.
The key duel will be on the right, where Vitagliano, averaging 7.57 in recent games, faces Jordan Raynaud, 7.25. Vitagliano has been jaded, but his numbers are still good. On the other flank, Braian Romero, 7.5, meets Álvaro, 7.09. And in the middle, Javi, 7.72, against Misael Costa, 6.98, could be where Lyon find their joy.
Inter's expected goals and points suggest they have been finishing well rather than riding their luck, while Lyon have been similarly efficient. Both sides have a habit of making the most of their chances. Whether they can do so with tired legs and missing men is another matter.
Three draws in the past. This time, someone will have to blink.