Mamma mia!

Milan, December 9

Lautaro Martinez has had an explosive start to the season, powering Inter Milan's league title ambitions and European hopes under new coach Antonio Conte.

The 22-year-old — known as 'El Toro' (The Bull) — joined the 18-time Serie A champions last season from Racing Club and has flourished this campaign under Conte, with 13 goals in 20 appearances that have made him a fan favourite after compatriot Mauro Icardi's loan move to Paris Saint-Germain. But when Inter host already-qualified Barcelona in the San Siro tomorrow, he will have some work to do as a win will seal their ticket to the last-16 of the Champions League. It was a brace from Martinez and a Romelu Lukaku goal that kept Inter in the Group F chase with a 3-1 win at Slavia Prague last time out.

Reds look to avoid elimination

London: Defending champions Liverpool travel to Salzburg needing to avoid defeat to the confident Austrian champions to guard against an embarrassing group stage exit.

Jurgen Klopp's men are used to getting through to the knockout stages the hard way. In each of the past two seasons they have needed home wins to secure a place in the last-16 before going on to make the final. However, the spectre of a free-scoring Salzburg, led by the Champions League's top scorer Erlin Braut Haaland spells trouble for an injury-hit Liverpool backline that has leaked goals this season. — AFP

Champions league in action today 

Inter Milan vs Barcelona
Red Bull vs Liverpool
Ajax vs Valencia
Dortmund vs Slavia
Lyon vs RB Leipzig
Benfica vs Zenit
Chelsea vs Lille