Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid preview, team news, where to watch and prediction

Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid preview, team news, where to watch and prediction

Faruq Ibrahim 18:27 - 20.02.2024

A concise pre-match guide for the upcoming Champions League fixture between Inter vs Atletico Madrid.

The UEFA Champions League clash between Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid is poised to be a fascinating round of 16 first-leg encounter on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. 

Scheduled for a 21:00 WAT kickoff at the Stadio San Siro in Milan, this match marks only the second meeting in UEFA club competition between the two sides since their encounter in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup, where Atlético Madrid emerged victorious.

Inter Milan, under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi, navigated through the group stage unbeaten (W3 D3) and is performing strongly in Serie A, sitting at the top of the table. 

On the other hand, Atlético Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, also finished their group stage without a loss (W4 D2) but have been slightly off the pace in the Spanish Liga.

Recent Form

Inter's recent form has been impeccable, boasting six consecutive wins, including a 4-0 victory over Salernitana in Serie A. Atlético, despite a mixed run of form with two losses, a draw, and three wins in their last six, displayed their capability by trouncing Las Palmas 5-0 in their most recent La Liga outing.

Team news

The possible line-ups hint at the depth and quality of both squads. Inter might start with players like Sommer, Pavard, De Vrij, and Martínez, while Atlético could field stars such as Oblak, Molina, Savić, Griezmann, and Llorente. 

Noteworthy, Atlético's squad will be without Alvaro Morata due to a bone contusion and knee sprain in his right knee, which is a significant blow given his contribution to the team's attack this season.

Head to Head

Given the historical context, current form, and tactical acumen of both coaches, this match promises to be tightly contested. Inter's strength lies in their balanced squad and tactical flexibility, while Atlético's resilience and strategic counterattacks under Simeone's leadership are well-documented. 

The absence of Morata for Atlético might tilt the attacking advantage slightly in Inter's favour, but Simeone's side is known for their grit and ability to perform in crucial matches.

Prediction

Predicting the outcome of such a balanced encounter is challenging, but it's safe to expect a match where tactical discipline will play a crucial role. We don’t expect a lot of goals in this tie, which means the under-market for goals is favoured. 

Where to watch

For those interested in following the match live, it will be broadcast on DSTV via Supersports.

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