Atletico Madrid set the stage to show the tide in opposition to Inter Milan within the second leg of their Champions League last-16 duel on the vibrant Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
The Nerazzurri clinched a slender 1-0 victory within the first leg at San Siro three weeks again, due to a late-game strike by Marko Arnautovic.
After a heart-wrenching exit from final season’s Champions League group stage, Atletico Madrid have raised the stakes this season, advancing to the spherical of 16.
However, they face an uphill battle to safe their third quarter-final spot in 5 seasons, following a considerably lackluster efficiency within the first leg in opposition to Inter.
Despite a dominating 5-0 conquer Las Palmas in La Liga simply days prior, the Spanish capital aspect lacked the decisive edge at San Siro, failing to transform any of their seven pictures on the right track earlier than conceding a late purpose to Inter’s substitute, Arnautovic.
Diego Simeone, the person who as soon as wore Inter’s colours on the sphere, finds himself beneath scrutiny as his Atleti aspect has managed solely two wins of their final 9 outings throughout all competitions.
Their struggles to seek out the again of the online had been evident of their current 2-0 defeat in opposition to Cadiz.
Currently, Atletico sits fourth in La Liga, six factors adrift of Barcelona in third place. They are clinging desperately to their Champions League qualification place with solely a two-point buffer over Athletic Bilbao in fifth, with simply 10 matches remaining within the season.
Despite their current woes, Atletico finds solace of their residence fortress, the Wanda Metropolitano. They have misplaced simply as soon as of their final 32 matches throughout all competitions.
Moreover, their report in opposition to Italian opponents on residence turf is spectacular, having gained seven of their final 9 encounters.
On the flip aspect, Inter arrive in Madrid brimming with confidence, having triumphed in 14 out of their final 15 matches throughout all competitions.
Their newest victory, a hard-fought 1-0 win in opposition to Bologna in Serie A, underscores their present type.
Although Inter’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, opted to relaxation key gamers like Lautaro Martinez of their current Serie A fixture, the Nerazzurri emerged victorious. They additional solidified their place atop the Serie A desk with a commanding 16-point lead over second-placed AC Milan.
With their Serie A lead nearly unassailable, Inter can now channel all their vitality towards Wednesday’s essential conflict in opposition to Atletico. They purpose to safe a quarter-final berth within the Champions League and maybe go one step additional than final season’s runner-up end.
While Inter’s current observe report in Champions League knockout ties after profitable the primary leg suggests they’re favorites to progress, historical past additionally means that overcoming Atletico at their residence floor is not any simple feat, with the Nerazzurri winless of their final ten visits to Spain in Europe’s premier membership competitors.
As the showdown approaches, Atletico Madrid maintain hope for the return of key gamers Antoine Griezmann and Jose Gimenez, though doubts linger over their health.
Meanwhile, Inter will miss the companies of the injured Arnautovic and Carlos Augusto, including to their absentee listing, which incorporates Juan Cuadrado and Stefano Sensi.
Source: www.dailysabah.com