Champions League: Atletico Madrid vs Inter Live
Preview: Atletico Madrid vs Inter
Atletico Madrid vs Inter will be at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday at 8:00pm for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, as the home side aim to reverse a one-goal deficit. Inter secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg at San Siro with a late goal from Marko Arnautovic.
In their ninth appearance in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in the last 11 seasons, Atlético Madrid must overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg against Inter Milan to advance to the quarter-finals. Despite recent poor form with five losses in their last eight matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Cádiz in La Liga, Atlético can draw confidence from their strong home record at the Metropolitano Stadium.
They have only lost once in 20 competitive games at home this season, winning 18 and drawing one, including three victories in the group stage of the tournament. Their last two home wins in the Champions League were by a margin of two or more goals, which could be crucial for their progression in the competition.
The Italian side have advanced from 42 out of 46 previous UEFA knockout ties where they won the first leg at home. This includes their victory over Porto in the same stage last season, where they secured a 1-0 win in the first leg and a goalless draw in the second. Inzaghi’s men current form is impressive, having won their last 13 matches and holding a significant 16-point lead in Serie A.
Their recent record of six consecutive away wins, with four clean sheets, indicates they are well-prepared to continue this success. However, the away side has shown vulnerability with slow starts in European away games this season, needing late goals in two of their last three Champions League matches to secure draws after conceding first.
Head-to-head
In 2010, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid faced off in the UEFA Super Cup final, with Atletico Madrid emerging victorious with a 2-0 win. They also met in a preseason friendly at the International Champions Cup in 2018, where Inter Milan secured a 1-0 victory.
Prediction
Atletico must avoid another weak attacking display if they hope to reverse the situation against a strong Inzaghi team, who have been in excellent form lately. The Italian side has the momentum and despite their previous struggles in Spain, they have key players like Martinez, who returned from a break to help Inzaghi’s team advance to the quarter-finals.
