In what was one other dramatic Champions League showdown on Wednesday evening, Atletico Madrid punched their quarter-final spot as they secured a nail-biting penalties victory in opposition to Inter Milan.
With the Nerrazzuri opening Wednesday’s showdown after accumulating a 1-0 first-leg victory on the San Siro on February twentieth, they doubled their benefit on the evening as Federico Dimarco opened the scoring simply after the half-hour mark.
However, with Antoine Griezmann pulling one again simply seconds after Dimarco’s opener, Diego Simeone’s males mounted a shocking comeback on dwelling soil.
With Dutch worldwide Memphis Depay sending the house assist into overdrive within the 87th-minute, neither facet may discover a dramatic winner in extra-time.
It was finally Jan Oblak who proved to be Wednesday’s hero because the Slovenian shot-stopper denied each Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klassen, earlier than Inter talisman Lautaro Martinez blazed over his effort.
Briefly holding a 2-0 benefit following Dimarco’s opener, Inter Milan will definitely take a while to get well from what was an almighty European collapse right here.
On an evening when Atletico Madrid put their title within the quarter-final hat, we have now taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors.
Never depend out Atletico
While Atletico Madrid may need made an actual Champions League assertion final yr as they collected 14 factors from their six Group E appearances, it’s truthful to say the Simeone’s males have proven some prolonged inconsistencies this season.
Heading into Wednesday’s second-leg after slumming to a shock 2-0 defeat by the hands of Cadiz over the weekend, Wednesday’s hosts had gained only a pair of their earlier 9 contests throughout all competitions.
However, though Atletico may need briefly been chasing a 2-0 deficit following Dimarco’s first-half opener, you may by no means depend out the resilience of Simeone’s squad.
Backed by a vocal dwelling assist within the Spanish capital, Atletico have additionally continued to obtain a fearsome repute for his or her success on the Metropolitano.
Along with profitable all of their 4 Group E dwelling fixtures this season by an mixture rating of 11-2, Simeone’s males haven’t suffered a single Champions League defeat in entrance of their very own supporters since method again in November 2021.
Inter endure extra Champions League heartbreak
Eventually struggling Champions League remaining heartbreak in opposition to Manchester City final season because the Premier League giants claimed a maiden European crown, it was no secret that many had tipped Inter Milan as one other darkish horse contender this yr.
Enjoying what has change into an iconic home romp this season and at present holding a 16-point buffer on the prime of the Serie A desk, the Italian icons have continued to obtain a string of plaudits.
Travelling to the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening within the midst of a 13-match profitable run throughout all competitions, the midweek company seemed to be sat firmly within the driving seat as Dimarco opened the scoring right here.
However, struggling what shall be remembered as an actual collapse on international soil as they failed to tug themselves over the end line, Inter will take a while to get well from extra Champions League frustration.
With Simone Inzaghi’s males falling to their knees as Martinez blazed over with the ultimate spot kick, the Nerrazzuri will know that they missed out on a golden alternative on the Metropolitano.
Griezmann extends on his European romp
While Oblak may need actually proved to be Atletico’s hero on Wednesday evening, an enormous a part of their Champions League success this season has come because of the goalscoring exploits of their French famous person.
Dragging Atletico degree on the evening simply seconds after Dimarco’s opener, Griezmann has actually continued on a exceptional European romp this season.
Causing Inter’s defence a string of points right here and spearheading Simeone’s cost, the World Cup winner has now notched six objectives in his eight Champions League appearances this yr.
In truth, after bagging a Super Cup strike in opposition to bitter native rivals Real Madrid again in January, Griezmann grew to become Atletcio’s all-time main marksman after notching his 174th objective.
If Atletico are to spring what could be branded as an iconic Champions League upset in 2024, it seems that their record-breaking talisman could have a number one function to play.
Match Report
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Savic, Witsel, Hermoso, Lino, Koke, De Paul, Llorente, Molina, Morata, Griezmann
Subs: Correa, Azpilicueta, Barrios, Riquele, Depay, Saul
Inter Milan: Sommer, Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mhitaryan, Dimarco, Martinez, Thuram
Subs: Acerbi, Darmian, Frattesi, Klaassen, Bisseck, Sanchez
Goals: Atletico Madrid: Griezmann (35’), Depay (87’) – Inter Milan: Dimarco (33’)
Yellow Cards: Atletico Madrid: Koke, Hermoso – Inter Milan: Acerbi, Calhanoglu, Bisseck
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Szymon Marciniak
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