Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Italian champions Internazionale need to bounce back in the UEFA Champions League as they welcome Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk to San Siro.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Inter Milan preview: Beaten in Europe
Internazionale remain at the top-of-the-table in Serie A after making it six victories and a draw in their seven games domestically, coming from behind to ease past Bologna by three goals to one at the Renato Dall’Ara at the weekend.
In the UEFA Champions League, though, they began with a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last month before a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Belgian champions Club Brugge at the Giuseppe Meeazza last week.
Shakhtar Donetsk preview: Impressive Shakhtar
Despite their obvious off-field issues to navigate, Shakhtar Donetsk remain admirable on it, beginning their UEFA Champions League season with a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands against PSV Eindhoven last month.
That was backed up by an impressive 3-1 defeat of Greek champions AEK Athens at Stamford Bridge in London last week, courtesy of goals scored by Pedrinho, Vinicius Tobias and Gleiker Mendoza.
Inter Milan team news: Lautaro out
After scoring a brace last week, Lautaro Martinez has now been sidelined due to injury alongside fresh absentee Benjamin Pavard with England international duo John Stones and Curtis Jones also both remaining unavailable.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): J. Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram Esposito
Unavailable: Stones (Injured), Pavard (Injured), Jones (Injured), L. Martinez (Injured)
Questionable:
Shakhtar Donetsk team news: Nothing fresh
Marlon Santos and Pedrinho returned to full fitness ahead of their clash against AEK last week. They do not have any fresh injury concerns but Alaa Ghram remains sidelined alongside Irakli Arazov.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Riznyk; Tobias, Bondar, Matvyenko, Pedrinho; Ocheretko; Alisson, Pedrinho, Marlon Gomes, Newerton; Kaua Elias
Unavailable: Ghram (Inured), Azarov (Injured)
Questionable:
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction
Under the management of the always enthusiastic Arda Turan, Shakhtar Donetsk have shown real character in Europe already this season with their defeat of Kolos Kovalivka in the Ukrainian Premier League at the weekend meaning that they are now unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions. Inter will be wary of Shakhtar’s ability on the counter-attack, given how Club Brugge exposed the Nerazzurri last week, and so while Inter remain favourites, it may not be straightforward for the 2023 and 2025 UEFA Champions League runners-up.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Tip: Inter Milan to win & both teams to score
