Inter Milan will take a slender lead into the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg after battling to a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. The only goal came off the left foot of Marko Arnautovic, the guy who replaced the injured Marcus Thuram and missed two good chances before finally finding the net in what was a predictably close encounter.Last season’s losing finalists deserved to win on the night, as Diego Simeone brought his defensive unit to Italy with little ambition of trying to score. It’s a strategy that worked so many times for the Argentine, but he didn’t deserve to end the game undefeated in this encounter with the club he used to represent in his playing days.One of Inter Milan fans crying after Arnautovic’s goal, they don’t make fans like him anymore 🤍 pic.twitter.com/GRErtTo04q— OB (@GhostRMCF) February 20, 2024 Samuel Lino had an early opportunity to put the Spanish team ahead with a shot from inside the box, but he missed the target, letting Yann Sommer off the hook. Simone Inzaghi’s side was dangerous on the flanks, but the visitors succeeded in neutralising the threat in the opening 45 minutes.The first half at the San Siro Stadium has concluded with both teams deadlocked at 0-0. It’s been a tightly contested affair with both sides creating some opportunities but unable to find the breakthrough.Atleti made a change at halftime, with Jose Maria Gimenez making way for Stefan Savic. Additionally, Inter’s manager Simone Inzaghi opted for a substitution, bringing on Arnautovic in place of Thuram. It was probably the key moment of this game.49’Marko Arnautovic (Inter) does well to meet a cross from Federico Dimarco, but he directs his shot just wide of the right post.#InterAtleti pic.twitter.com/8BjR2Pgdvc— Zack (@GoalsZack) February 20, 2024 The second half kicked off with both teams looking to break the deadlock. Arnautovic had a glorious chance to do just that five minutes after the restart when he met a cross from Federico Dimarco, but his shot narrowly missed the target, going wide of the right post.
Arnautovic had an even better opportunity just after the hour gone. The Austrian international played a lovely one-two with Hakan Calhanoglu, but then fired over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy. The former Bologna and West Ham United striker only replaced the injured Marcus Thuram at half-time and could have turned into a hero. With the kind of form Thuram’s been lately, most Inter fans must have thought the scoreline should have read 2-0 at that point. However, the tie remained wide open.
Just as this first leg was seemingly designed to end in a goalless draw, there was another chance for Arnautovic. And it was a case of third time lucky! Lautaro was released through on goal, but his poor effort was parried by Jan Oblak. The ball broke wide neatly for Arnautovic, who managed to squeeze the ball between Reinildo Mandava and the backtracking Oblak. The legendary San Siro stadium erupted with joy for what was a deserved Nerazzurri lead.The return leg will be a different affair because Atleti will have to score at least one goal to have any chance of making the quarter-finals. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE1/8 finals – first legTuesdayCopenhagen – Man.City 1-3 (1-2)/Mattsson 34 – De Bruyne 10, Silva 45+1, Foden 90+3/RB Leipzig – Real Madrid 0-1 (0-0)/Diaz 49/WednesdayPSG – Sociedad 2-0 (0-0)/Mbappe 58, Barcola 71/Lazio – Bayern 1-0 (0-0)/Immobile 69 pen/Tuesday the 20thInter – Atletico Madrid 1-0 (0-0)/Arnautovic 79/PSV – Borussia Dortmund 1-1 (0-1)/De Jong 56 pen – Malen 24/Wednesday the 21st23:00: (4.10) Porto (3.50) Arsenal (1.90)23:00: (2.70) Napoli (3.35) Barcelona (2.60)***odds are subject to change***