Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza is the venue as Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid go head-to-head in the first leg of their mouth-watering Champions League last-16 tie.

Inter Milan’s quest to better last season’s runner-up finish in the Champions League pits them against Atletico Madrid only days after a 4-0 thumping of Serie A basement boys Salernitana. Now unbeaten in ten consecutive games in the build-up to this fixture (W9, D1), Simone Inzaghi’s men ought to take the field in a buoyant mood despite only winning one of their last six home Champions League encounters against Spanish opposition (D2, L3). By contrast, runaway Serie A leaders have reigned supreme on home turf on the continental front, going unbeaten in all eight Champions League home outings since last losing such contest in September 2022 (W6, D2). Further optimism comes from Inter’s undefeated Champions League group stage campaign (W3, D3), followed by three clean sheets.

As for Atletico Madrid, last weekend’s 5-0 demolition of Las Palmas reinforced their slim La Liga title hopes and set them up nicely for this blockbuster tie. Not only did ‘Los Colchoners’ end a three-game winless streak with that win (D1, L2), but they also netted as many goals in that triumph as in their five previous matches combined. Atletico’s recent visits to Italy should inspire confidence around Diego Simeone’s camp, with the Spaniards going unbeaten in their last two away European showdowns against Serie A clubs (W1, D1), including a 1-1 draw against Lazio in this season’s group phase. However, Atletico would be wise not to take anything for granted, considering their underwhelming four-match form on the road (W1, D2, L1).