Inter's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool — sealed by a late, contentious penalty — leaves them needing at least four points from games against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund to secure direct Champions League last-16 qualification. Punters might consider backing Inter to pick up draws in both fixtures or play conservative markets (Under 2.5 goals, both teams not to score) given recent low-scoring, tightly contested defeats.
Late Penalty Hands Liverpool a Narrow Win at San Siro
Inter suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool after Dominik Szoboszlai converted an 88th-minute penalty. The loss marks Inter’s second consecutive Champions League game decided in the final minutes, following a stoppage-time defeat to Atletico Madrid in November.
Controversy Surrounds Decisive Call
The penalty awarded for an alleged shirt pull by Alessandro Bastoni on Florian Wirtz drew widespread debate. Many observers labelled the decision soft, arguing it was a marginal incident that ultimately decided the match.
Where Inter Now Stand in the Champions League Table
Inter sit fifth in their group on 12 points from six matches. While they are guaranteed at least a place in the Champions League play-off round, finishing inside the top eight — which would secure automatic last-16 qualification — looks precarious. Last season’s top-eight cut-off landed at 16 points, meaning Inter may need four more points from their remaining fixtures.
Crucial January Fixtures: Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund
Inter face Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in January, two results that will determine whether they reach the last 16 directly. With only those two group matches left, the Nerazzurri must approach both games with urgency while managing the psychological blow of back-to-back late defeats.
Betting Outlook and Market Angles
Given Inter’s recent trend of narrow, late-decided games and the controversy around defensive situations, bettors might favour conservative markets. Consider backing Inter to secure at least one draw across the two January fixtures or targeting low-scoring outcomes (Under 2.5 goals) and Both Teams To Score: No, depending on lineups and injury news. Match-specific prices should be checked closer to kickoff for form and team selection updates.
Inter slipped to their second consecutive Champions League defeat with their 1-0 loss at home...
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