Both Inter and Leverkusen will be without key defenders in tonight’s Group A match in Milan.

Inter are on a high after their remarkable recovery against Lazio at the weekend. Hector Cuper’s side drew 3-3 after being 3-0 down.

However, they are likely to be without first-choice central defenders Fabio Cannavaro and Marco Materazzi against Leverkusen. Cannavaro is suspended while Materazzi is doubtful with a muscle strain. Italy international full-back Francesco Coco will also be absent.

Daniele Adani is the most likely replacement for Materazzi and should feature alongside Colombian Ivan Cordoba in the centre of a makeshift defence.

In midfield, Inter also have doubts over the fiitness of Domenico Morfeo, Stephane Dalmat and Okan.

For Leverkusen, Brazilian World Cup-winner Lucio has been sidelined by a sore ankle, while Germany defender Jens Nowotny is still out with a knee injury.

But another defender, Pascal Ojigwe, has recovered from knee surgery and should start.

Probable teams:
Internazionale: Toldo – Zanetti, Adani, Cordoba, Pasquale – Sergio Conceicao, Di Biagio, Emre Belozoglu – Recoba – Vieri, Crespo.
: Butt – Ojigwe, Zivkovic, Juan, Placente – Ramelow, Hanno, Schneider, Basturk – Neuville, Berbatov.