Inter Milan suffer blow before Liverpool Champions League clash

Inter Milan will not head into their Champions League clash with Liverpool as Serie A league leaders this week after dropping points at the weekend.

The reining Italian champions were top of the table on Saturday but could only manage a 1-1 draw against Napoli in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Luciano Spalletti's side led after seven minutes when Lorenzo Insigne converted from the spot but former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko rescued a point for Inter, equalising shortly after the break.

That result opened the door for AC Milan to leapfrog their city rivals into first position on Sunday - and the Rossoneri gleefully took advantage, beating Sampdoria 1-0 at the San Siro, with a goal from Rafael Leao in the eighth minute proving decisive.

It means that when Inter face Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday in Milan, both sides will be placed second in their respective domestic league tables.

Simone Inzaghi's Inter team have a slight advantage in terms of rest days, having played a day earlier than Jurgen Klopp's men at the weekend.

The three-times European Cup winners are also hopeful that key centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who missed the match against Napoli, will be fit to face Liverpool this week.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com, Bastoni had a specialised training session on Sunday and hopes have been raised that the 22-year-old will be play against the Reds.

Bastoni was an ever-present during Inter's Champions League Group Stage matches, helping to keep three clean sheets across the six matches.