Six games down, two left, and with Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven all playing on one night, there was entertaining football to be had. But while Dortmund ended up beating Eindhoven 2-0 to clinch the leg 3-1 on agg, the other game had drama. Inter Milan walked into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage and one they were determined to hold on to.
They nearly did so after Federico Dimarco gave them the lead just after the half-hour mark but Atletico Madrid struck back instantly through Antonine Griezmann two minutes later. Still, the Los Rojiblancos offered little threat until Memphis Depay and Rodrigo Riquelme walked on. The two substitutes added much-needed energy and creativity, with Depay finding the crucial second goal for Atletico.
It sent the game into extra time with both goalkeepers tested throughout the period although even that wasn’t enough and it meant that the Round of 16 would get another round of penalties. Yet, in the end, it wasn’t Inter Milan’s night as Alexis Sanchez, Davy Klassen, and talisman Lautaro Martinez all missed their penalties. That combined with Atletico scoring 4 out of their five, sent Diego Simeone’s side into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Here are Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan player ratings:-
Atletico Madrid Player Ratings
Jan Oblak: 9
A massive presence tonight, Jan Oblak showed his class with more than a few crucial saves including goal-bound shots from Marcus Thuram, Nicolo Barella, and Matteo Darmian. As if that wasn’t enough, he then went and saved two penalties to ensure his side’s place in the next round.
Stefan Savic: 7
The rock in Atletico Madrid’s defensive system, Savic showed his worth tonight by marshalling Marcus Thuram and a dangerous Latuaro Martinez. He was helped by Mario Hermoso and Axel Witsel but without Savic guiding the other two men, things could have been worse.
Axel Witsel: 7
Much like Savic, Axel Witsel has grown wise with age and it showed tonight. There were a few uneasy moments from the Belgian but he was cool as a rock and just as consistent out the back.
Mario Hermoso: 7
The defender has stepped up recently and while he could have offered more protection down that side, it wasn’t his worst outing in an Atletico Madrid shirt. Still, did well to keep Marcus Thuram quiet and forced Martinez into positions he wasn’t interested in going to.
Nahuel Molina: 6
Made his share of threatening runs down the flank but lacked the final pass to offer any real threat down the right, effectively causing a few issues for his side. Looked solid defensively and did well enough against Federico Dimarco, although he was replaced by Pablo Barrios.
Marcos Llorente: 7
Was his usual energetic and bustling self across the field but couldn’t really offer much in the final third or during set-pieces. Still continues to be a threat and while he did thread the occasional dangerous pass into the final third, Llorente is capable of doing a lot more. Was replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta.
Rodrigo De Paul: 6
Lacked his usual guile and creativity from midfield but De Paul still proved to be a consistent passing option for his side and was ever present with a tackle to stop a counter. Did his best against an impressive Inter midfield and was eventually replaced by Angel Correa.
Koke: 8
Arguably the best of the three Atletico Madrid midfielders, Koke ran the field for his side, offering himself as a consistent passing option whenever needed. Defensively, he played the pivot well and screened the defensive line as best he could.
Samuel Lino: 6
Not his best performance in a Los Rojiblancos kit but Lino still did superbly to keep a dangerous Denzel Dumfries quiet alongside De Paul and co. He could have offered more offensively as well but didn’t get into the game and was eventually replaced by Rodrigo Riquelme.
Alvaro Morata: 6
Had Atletico Madrid’s best chance of the first half but spurned the chance and saw the remainder of the game flash past him without really offering a threat.
Antoine Griezmann: 8
The star of Atletico Madrid’s show, Griezmann was where his side needed him when they needed him and probably should have had another goal to his name. But only the superb Yann Sommer stopped him but that didn’t stop the Frenchman from buzzing around the field to cause problems.
Also Read: Who Can Arsenal Face In The UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final After Dramatic Win Over Porto?
Substitutes
Horatiu Moldovan: NA
Cesar Azpilicueta (s 99′): 7
Brought on to add a more defensive head to the squad after Marcos Llorente and Nahuel Molina was replaced, the former Chelsea man did his job and did it well.
Armando Gabriel: NA
Niguez Saul (s 106′): 6
Replaced Antoine Griezmann just after halftime in the second half of extra time but didn’t have enough time to offer too much.
Memphis Depay (s 79′): 8
If it wasn’t for Jan Oblak’s superb saves, Memphis Depay would indubitably be the man of the match for Atletico Madrid. The Dutch forward replaced a lacklustre Alvaro Morata and turned the tie in Atleti’s favour with his guile and creativity. Caused problems all across the final third and could have put the game to rest a few times himself, stopped only by Yann Sommer.
Angel Correa (s 71′): 7
Offered a lot of threat down the left after replacing Rodrigo De Paul and took his penalty superbly.
Rodrigo Riquelme (s 71′): 8
The third-best player on the field for the home side, Riquelme has given Diego Simeone a few headaches going forward with his performance. The forward was a menace down the flank and caused the Inter defenders all sorts of problems. Not only that, his penalty showed his confidence but he did blaze a decent chance over the crossbar just before the shootout.
Arthur Vermeeren: NA
Reinildo Mandava: NA
Pablo Barrios (s 79′): 6
Was sent on to manage the midfield and keep things ticking, which is exactly what Barrios did although he did make the occasional run forward to offer an extra body wherever needed.
Antonio Gomis: NA
Inter Milan Player Ratings
Yann Sommer: 9
The star of Inter Milan’s show, if it wasn’t for Yann Sommer then the game could have been over by the end of extra-time. The Swiss international made a few big saves to stop Morata, Griezmann, and Memphis Depay which was the only reason his side were on level terms.
Benjamin Pavard: 6
Not his best game in an Inter shirt, Pavard did his best against Angel Correa, Memphis Depay and Antonie Griezmann but was overwhelmed in the end.
Stefan de Vrij: 7
The best of the three Inter defenders, De Vrij put his best foot forward but there was only so much the Dutchman could do in the end.
Alessandro Bastoni: 6
Not his best showing, Bastoni is still growing as a defender and tonight it showed although the Italian made his fair share of blocks and tackles.
Denzel Dumfries: 6
The Dutch wing-back has looked off form lately and while he did offer a threat down his flank early on in the game, things eventually petered out for the full-back.
Nicolo Barella: 7
One of Inter’s best performers before an injury dragged him off the field. It turned the game in Atletico Madrid’s favour which only shows how integral Barella is to this team.
Hakan Calhanoglu: 7
The Turkish midfielder has turned into a superb deep-lying playmaker and that showed tonight although his set-piece delivery lacked his usual creativity and guile.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5
Not a great performance from the Armenian and he was eventually replaced.
Federico Dimarco: 7
Scored Inter’s only goal of the night and offered enough of a threat down his flank to threaten the Atletico Madrid defenders and cause them headaches until he was replaced.
Lautaro Martinez: 6
A bad performance from the captain, it wasn’t what many expected from Martinez. Not only did he blaze his penalty into the sky but the Argentine also missed two great opportunities during regular time and extra time.
Marcus Thuram: 5
Much like his strike partner, Thuram struggled although he had, arguably, the best chance to put the game to bed before Atletico Madrid could find their footing. But the Frenchman couldn’t keep his shot down and was eventually replaced by Alexis Sanchez.
Substitutes
Raffaele Di Gennaro: NA
Davy Klaassen (s 111′): 5
Sent on too late to offer too much to the game and couldn’t send his penalty past Jan Oblak.
Francesco Acerbi (s 73′): 5
Got a yellow card a few minutes after walking onto the field but took the best penalty from Inter’s side.
Davide Frattesi (s 84′): 6
Replaced Nicolo Barella after his injury but never offered the same impact as the Italian.
Tajon Buchanan: NA
Kristjan Asllani: NA
Yann Aurel Bisseck (s 84′): 6
Had a few decent chances and offered a threat whenever he could, Bisseck has the makings of an impressive and versatile defender.
Matteo Darmian (s 73′): 6
Didn’t offer much after replacing Dumfries but did enough defensively to help out his side.
Amadou Sarr: NA
Aleksandar Stankovic: NA
Alexis Sanchez (s 102′): 5
Didn’t have the best game for the course of extra time and missed a poorly hit paneka penalty during the shoot-out that was saved well by Jan Oblak.
Emil Audero: NA