Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid Match Preview
Last season’s Champions League runners-up Inter Milan will look to go one step further in the 2023/24 campaign as they begin their knockout stage adventure on Tuesday (Feb 20). Inter, having finished group runners-up will take on Spanish giants and three-time runners-up Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. This will be the first meeting between the sides in more than 13 years as the Italian side looks for revenge having lost 2-0 in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup
Inter Milan, one of the four teams still unbeaten in the Champions League this campaign finished runners-up to Real Sociedad. Inter possesses the best defense in the entire Europe (top five leagues only) and have shifted 17 goals combined in the Champions League and Serie A combined. They currently lead the Serie A standings and will look to replicate the same form in the Champions League as well.
On the horizon, Atletico Madrid will look to dominate the Champions League stage again having been off the radar in recent seasons. Diego Simeone’s side won the group ahead of Lazio and Feyenoord and scored 17 goals in the group stage, second highest after Manchester City (18). While a title challenge looks unlikely in La Liga, Atletico will bank on their Champions League run to win silverware this campaign.
Team News
While defensive stalwart Francesco Acerbi may recuperate from a calf injury suffered in the team’s most recent victory against Roma, regular wing-backs Federico Dimarco and Matteo Darmian were rested on Friday and should both return to Inter’s starting lineup in the middle of the week.
Due to an Achilles tendon injury, Davide Frattesi was not used as a substitute in Salerno. As a result, the sole player in the Nerazzurri’s treatment room is Juan Cuadrado, who was left out of Simone Inzaghi’s Champions League squad.
In addition to Alvaro Morata being substituted out of the match against Sevilla at halftime because of a knee injury, he also missed Atleti’s victory over the weekend. Gabriel Paulista, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Thomas Lemar are also out.
Predicted Lineups
Inter Milan Predicted XI:
Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI:
Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Hermoso; Llorente, Barrios, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Depay
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Head-to-Head
The only previous competitive meeting between the sides came in August 2010 in the UEFA Super Cup when Inter Milan were the European champions while Atletico Madrid were the Europa League holders. The match at Stade Louis II in Monaco saw Atletico run out winners by 2-0 with José Antonio Reyes and Sergio Aguero netting.
Prediction
With the best defense in Serie A, Inter Milan will once again look to bank on their reliable asset against Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side is also one of the most defensive-minded teams in Europe, which could see few goals being scored during the match with home advantage playing a crucial role.
Prediction: Inter Milan 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Betting Tips and Odds
Betting Tips
Inter Milan to win 1-0 – 4/5
Both teams not to score – 3/4
Under 2.5 goals – 5/6
Match Odds
- Inter Milan Win: 3/4
- Draw: 12/5
- Atletico Madrid Win: 19/5
Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Tuesday, February 20 at 8:00 PM (GMT)
- India: Sony Sports Network, Sony Liv App
- Italy: Mediaset, Prime Video, Sky Italia
- Spain: Movistar Plus+
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