Inter Milan's Champions League hopes hang in the balance

After a disappointing defeat to Manchester City

Nerazzurri must now face Real Madrid in a must-win clash

Inter Milan's hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals hang in the balance after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night.

The Serie A champions were outplayed by Pep Guardiola's side at the San Siro, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring the only goal of the game in the 70th minute.

Inter now face a daunting task in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 16, and they will need to produce a much better performance if they are to have any chance of progressing.

Former England manager Fabio Capello believes that Inter's chances of reaching the quarter-finals are now very slim.

"Inter played well in the first half, but they were outclassed by Manchester City in the second half," Capello said.

"They need to play much better in the second leg if they are to have any chance of winning."

Inter have a poor record against Real Madrid, having lost both of their previous meetings in the Champions League.

However, they will be hoping to take advantage of the fact that Real Madrid are not in the best of form at the moment.

The Spanish giants have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, and they will be without the suspended Karim Benzema for the first leg against Inter.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, Inter will be hoping to produce a shock result and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2011.