Inter have the advantage over Atletico in the Champions League

Italy Inter Milan beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on February 20.

Inter's fine form in 2024 continued with a ninth straight win. The hosts dominated the game, scoring the only goal in the first leg of the round of 16 through substitute Marko Arnautovic. Atletico failed to hit the target at the Giuseppe Meazza, but they can still hope to progress if they perform well in the return leg three weeks from now.

Inter Milan players celebrate Arnautovic's only goal in the 79th minute, at Giuseppe Meazza stadium on February 20. Photo: Reuters

Before opening the scoring in the 79th minute, Inter had many difficulties against the visitors' tight defense. Coach Diego Simeone's experience in the Champions League knockout round was shown when he and his students quickly made Inter lose their excitement after the opening match. Despite fielding their strongest lineup, the home team did not create any clear-cut chances in the first half - the half in which Atletico actively disrupted Inter's play.

Many home fans were worried when striker Marcus Thuram was substituted early in the second half due to a thigh injury. However, his replacement, Arnautovic, was even more impressive. The Austrian chose a good position and was soon given two good chances, but his shots from inside the penalty area in the 49th and 63rd minutes both went over the bar.

Inter had another clear chance when captain Lautaro Martinez headed the ball straight at Jan Oblak. Under the overwhelming pressure from the home team, the visitors' defence could not stand firm. Two minutes later, after blocking Lautaro's header, Oblak beat the Argentine striker in a one-on-one. However, the Atletico goalkeeper was helpless when Arnautovic's rebound went into an empty net.

Inter's goal made the final minutes more exciting as both teams wanted to attack. The home fans also had a heart attack when Alvaro Morata's header missed the post by a hair.

Inter Milan have kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 14 Champions League games. In that run, they have only lost to Man City in last season's final. A 1-0 win over Atletico gives Simeone Inzaghi's side a huge advantage in the last 16. However, Inter will need to be wary of the return leg at the Metropolitano, where Atletico are unbeaten in La Liga and the Champions League this season.

Line-up

Inter: Sommer, Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni, Darmian (Dumfries 69'), Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan (Frattesi 72'), Dimarco (Augusto 69'), Thuram (Arnautovic 46'), Martinez (Alexis Sánchez 88')

Atletico: Oblak, Gimenez (Savic 46'), Witsel, Hermoso (Mandava 68'), Molina (Barrios 68'), Koke, De Paul, Saul (Morata 54'), Lino, Griezmann (Correa 79'), Llorente.

Vy Anh

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/inter-nam-loi-the-truoc-atletico-o-champions-league-4713521.html