It’s the Champions League’s elimination round, but the team and the results are not so much in focus. It seems that people are taking Inter Milan for granted, as they are currently playing in top form, but their chairman is not with them. Steven Zhang won’t be present even in Madrid for the rematch of the Champions League round of 16. Italian media report that he supported Inter Milan’s players and coaching staff via conference call ahead of the team’s most important match of the season. There are no indications of when he might come to Milan. Some sources suggest it could happen in a month or a month and a half, but there’s no precise plan or agenda. The mystery surrounding Zhang’s absence is quite alarming. His sole function is as Inter’s president, and it’s simultaneously stated that he loves Milan and Italy and prefers to spend time in Lombardy, so there are no logical justifications for why he’s in China rather than with the club his family owns. This anomaly has sparked a series of rumours that cannot be verified given China’s totalitarian system of governance, state-controlled media, and police censorship of the internet and social media.Inter this season ⚡️#UCL pic.twitter.com/JKRIlgb949— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 13, 2024 Fortunately for Inter, club management is in the hands of CEO Beppe Marotta, and thanks to their results, merchandising, sold-out stadium, and trading, the Nerazzurri have managed to service all debts and meet the necessary parameters for UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. As the Serie A leaders, they face Atletico Madrid tonight as favourites. Excluding the Champions League final in Istanbul last year, Inter hasn’t lost any away matches in the Champions League in 2023 and 2024, with their only two defeats this season occurring at their home stadium. Additionally, Yan Sommer is the goalkeeper who has conceded the fewest goals in the top European leagues and has the highest number of clean sheets. Only Roma and Benfica have scored more than one goal against Inter in any match away from home in all competitions. With all this said, Inter has won all of their matches this season, 13 out of 13. Simone Inzaghi will deploy the lethal duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram from the start after three weeks. The only change in the starting lineup is De Vrij replacing Francesco Acerbi, while the only dilemma regarding the lineup on the right flank is between Dumfries and Darmian.Eighth season at Stadio Maradona will be his last: Polish ace will join Inter in JulyDiego Simeone and his Atletico Madrid side are currently going through a crisis, having suffered five defeats in their last nine matches in the league, national cup, and Champions League. However, it would be fatal to underestimate Atletico, especially with Antoine Griezmann on the pitch. Inzaghi and Simeone are friends from their days when they were wearing the Lazio jersey together. The Italian coach was a guest of the Argentine in Madrid eight years ago when he was still coaching Lazio’s youth team, while Simeone was at the peak of his career, marching towards his second Champions League final in three years. Inzaghi spent a few days with Simeone at his home and at Atletico’s training centre, observing training sessions and watching his older colleague work with the players. However, this experience won’t be of much help to Inzaghi, as despite the presence of Jan Oblak, Stefan Savic, Koke, Saul Niguez, and Antoine Griezmann still wearing Atletico’s shirt, Los Colchoneros play a significantly different style of football. Spending nearly fifteen years on the bench of one team without constant evolution is not Simeone’s style, and he’s a great example of that. Will it work tonight against in-form Inter? We shall see.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE1/8 finals – second legTuesdayBayern – Lazio 3-0 (2-0)/Kane 38, 66, Muller 45+2/Bayern win 3-1 on aggregateReal Sociedad – Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 (0-1)/Merino 89 – Mbappe 15, 56/Paris Saint-Germain win 4-1 on aggregateWednesdayReal Madrid – RB Leipzig 1-1 (0-0)/Vinicius 65 – Orban 68/Real Madrid win 2-1 on aggregateMan.City – Copenhagen 3-1 (2-1)/Akanji 5, Alvarez 9, Haaland 45+3 – Elyounoussi 29/Manchester City win 6-2 on aggregateTuesday the 12thBarcelona – Napoli 3-1 (2-1)/Lopez 15, Cancelo 17, Lewandowski 83 – Rrahmani 30/Barcelona win 4-2 on aggregateArsenal – Porto 1-0 (1-0)/Trossard 41/Arsenal win 4-2 on penaltiesWednesday the 13th23:00: (3.05) Atl.Madrid (3.30) Inter (2.55) /first leg 0-1/23:00: (2.15) Dortmund (3.50) PSV (3.30) / first leg 1-1/***odds are subject to change***
