Feyenoord vs Inter Milan – News and Probable Lineups

With both Feyenoord and Inter de Milão each securing three points from three matches, they will be vying for a crucial win as they clash in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

As the league stage approaches its midpoint, both historic European contenders risk being eliminated before their encounter at De Kuip.

Match overview

Inter is facing a challenge to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League, and their preparation for the match in Rotterdam was far from ideal.

Instead, the Nerazzurri suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of AC Milan during Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina, extending their winless streak in city derbies to eight.

While Inter showcased their resilience by overcoming Fiorentina after falling behind for the fifth time in eight league matches, they couldn’t replicate that comeback against their fierce rivals.

With illness affecting Cristian Chivu’s squad, the players present were unable to counter as the Rossoneri surged to an early two-goal lead and ultimately won 3-1.

Currently trailing behind unexpected Serie A leaders Lazio, with Milan just four points ahead, Chivu’s team must quickly redirect its focus to their European challenges.

After being eliminated in the first knockout round last season, losing both matches against Bodo/Glimt, Inter started this campaign with a 2-1 loss to former manager Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

Following a surprising 4-3 defeat to Club Brugge at the San Siro, they finally managed to secure their first points with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk, even after being reduced to 10 players.

Having lost seven of their last nine Champions League matches, the runners-up from 2023 and 2025 are feeling the pressure to improve; Chivu’s own record at this level unfortunately leans towards more defeats than victories.

History may work in their favor as they head to De Kuip: since their initial loss against Dutch teams—specifically to Ajax in the 1972 European Cup final—Inter has triumphed in 10 of their last 14 encounters without suffering a defeat.

Embarking on their third Champions League campaign in four seasons, Feyenoord reached the knockout stage in 2024-25, eliminating Milan prior to being ousted by Inter in the round of 16.

The sole previous encounter saw Feyenoord advance, winning 3-2 on aggregate during the 2001-02 UEFA Cup semifinals before lifting the trophy.

Like Inter, they find themselves with just three points after a challenging start: Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side fell to a 5-1 defeat against Barcelona, then managed a narrow 3-2 victory at home against Como, followed by a 1-0 loss away to Real Betis in their most recent match.

Feyenoord has sustained 10 defeats in their last 13 significant European fixtures, while Van Bronckhorst has recorded only two victories out of 15 games in his Champions League managerial history.

This dismal track record includes no clean sheets and 13 losses, yet both victories occurred at home against Italian sides: a 2-1 win against Napoli back in December 2017 during his first tenure, and the succeeding victory against Como in matchday two.

On the domestic front, results have been more positive. Finishing as distant runners-up to PSV last season, Feyenoord maintained their position at the top of the Eredivisie on Saturday, although they could only muster a 1-1 draw with Fortuna Sittard.

Unbeaten at De Kuip across all competitions, they now prepare to host one of Europe’s historic powerhouses at their intimidating home ground.

Team News

In addition to captain Lautaro Martinez, the injury list for Inter currently includes Luis Henrique and Benjamin Pavard, along with English duo John Stones and Curtis Jones.

While Alessandro Bastoni managed to score in the Milan derby, he will now serve a UEFA suspension due to his sending-off against Shakhtar.

Adaptable as ever, Carlos Augusto could step in. With his late winner in the previous match, the Brazilian has been directly involved in five goals over his last eight Champions League starts.

During their last encounter in March 2025, both Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu found the net; with Martinez absent, either Pio Esposito or Ange Bonny is expected to partner Thuram in attack – provided they both recover from illness.

Feyenoord has made the fewest alterations to their lineup in this season’s Champions League – only one change thus far – and Van Bronckhorst is likely to maintain this consistency on Tuesday evening.

Long-term absentees Bart Nieuwkoop, Jordânia Bos, and Thomas Beelen continue to be unavailable, while Jeremiah St. Juste is doubtful, although Gijs Smal, Reiss Nelson, and Shaqueel van Persie may return, as they have recently resumed full training.

Among three Feyenoord forwards with at least seven goal contributions this season—alongside Nacho Ferri and captain Luciano Valente—winger Anis Hadj Moussa has attempted the most shots following a carry in the Champions League to date (10).

Feyenoord probable starting XI

Ernst; Read, Watanabe, Marmol, Lopez; Zechiel, Vanhoutte, Targhalline; Hajj Moussa, Ferri, Valente

Inter Milan probable starting XI

J. Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Augustus; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito

Given their impressive home record along with Inter’s defensive struggles, Feyenoord should secure at least a point in their fourth Champions League match.

Nevertheless, the hosts are not impervious, and their opponents possess significant attacking capabilities, promising an exciting contest.