D
Davidbem
Guest
Inter, last season's runners-up, are dominating Serie A and are in excellent form with eight consecutive wins heading into their Champions League return. They've been a force to reckon with in Europe lately, having lost just one of their last 13 matches in the top club competition, with an impressive defensive record of eight clean sheets during this period.
Under coach Simone Inzaghi, Inter have bounced back from a minor setback in the Coppa Italia to achieve remarkable success, clinching their third successive Supercoppa Italiana and maintaining a comfortable lead atop Serie A.
Led by captain and top scorer Lautaro Martinez, Inter's recent 4-0 victory over Salernitana further solidified their position as one of the top contenders for the Champions League title.
However, their encounter with Atletico Madrid presents a formidable challenge. Managed by Diego Simeone, Atletico have a strong track record against Italian clubs in European competitions, winning five out of six previous knockout matches.
Despite trailing behind Real Madrid in La Liga, Atletico's impressive performance in the Champions League group stage, where they scored 17 goals, indicates their potential threat.
While Atletico's away form in the league has been less consistent compared to their home dominance, their recent 5-0 win against Las Palmas has boosted their confidence ahead of the clash against Inter. Nonetheless, they'll face a tough test against an Inter side known for their strong home performances.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Following their rest on Friday, regular wing-backs Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco are expected to return to Inter's starting lineup for the upcoming match. Additionally, defensive stalwart Francesco Acerbi may also make a comeback from a calf injury sustained in the recent victory over Roma.
Davide Frattesi, who has been dealing with a thigh issue, was on the bench during the game against Salerno but did not play. The only player currently sidelined for Inter is Juan Cuadrado, who is still recovering from Achilles tendon surgery and was removed from the Champions League squad.
Consequently, Inter is likely to stick with their familiar 3-5-2 formation, with Hakan Calhanoglu in midfield and Marcus Thuram partnering Lautaro Martinez upfront. Martinez, who has scored 12 Champions League goals so far, is closing in on Inter's all-time top scorers in the competition.
Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid's manager, will face Inzaghi, his former teammate at Lazio, with several key players unavailable. Gabriel Paulista, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Thomas Lemar are sidelined, while Alvaro Morata's knee injury could also keep him out of the upcoming match after he missed Atletico's weekend win against Sevilla.
Despite Morata's absence, Atletico still possess attacking threats such as Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay, who have been in good form recently. Marcos Llorente and Angel Correa also demonstrated their scoring prowess with braces in the recent victory over Las Palmas.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Hermoso; Llorente, Barrios, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Depay
EXPERT PREDICTION
Inter Milan 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Inter and Atletico both boast significant European experience, resilience, and tactical know-how, setting the stage for an intense and closely fought match. While both teams are known for their defensive solidity, they have also demonstrated their attacking prowess throughout the season.
With an array of talented attackers on both sides, we can anticipate an exciting encounter where offensive contributions will play a crucial role.
