In what was another dramatic Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Atletico Madrid punched their quarter-final spot as they secured a nail-biting penalties victory against Inter Milan.
With the Nerrazzuri opening Wednesday’s showdown after collecting a 1-0 first-leg victory at the San Siro on February 20th, they doubled their advantage on the night as Federico Dimarco opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark.
However, with Antoine Griezmann pulling one back just seconds after Dimarco’s opener, Diego Simeone’s men mounted a stunning comeback on home soil.
With Dutch international Memphis Depay sending the home support into overdrive in the 87th-minute, neither side could find a dramatic winner in extra-time.
It was eventually Jan Oblak who proved to be Wednesday’s hero as the Slovenian shot-stopper denied both Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klassen, before Inter talisman Lautaro Martinez blazed over his effort.
Briefly holding a 2-0 advantage following Dimarco’s opener, Inter Milan will certainly take some time to recover from what was an almighty European collapse here.
On a night when Atletico Madrid put their name in the quarter-final hat, we have taken a look at the main talking points.
Never count out Atletico
While Atletico Madrid might have made a real Champions League statement last year as they collected 14 points from their six Group E appearances, it is fair to say the Simeone’s men have shown some extended inconsistencies this season.
Heading into Wednesday’s second-leg after slumming to a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Cadiz over the weekend, Wednesday’s hosts had won just a pair of their previous nine contests across all competitions.
However, although Atletico might have briefly been chasing a 2-0 deficit following Dimarco’s first-half opener, you can never count out the resilience of Simeone’s squad.
Backed by a vocal home support in the Spanish capital, Atletico have also continued to receive a fearsome reputation for their success at the Metropolitano.
Along with winning all of their four Group E home fixtures this season by an aggregate score of 11-2, Simeone’s men have not suffered a single Champions League defeat in front of their own supporters since way back in November 2021.
Inter suffer more Champions League heartbreak
Eventually suffering Champions League final heartbreak against Manchester City last season as the Premier League giants claimed a maiden European crown, it was no secret that many had tipped Inter Milan as another dark horse contender this year.
Enjoying what has become an iconic domestic romp this season and currently holding a 16-point buffer at the top of the Serie A table, the Italian icons have continued to receive a string of plaudits.
Travelling to the Spanish capital on Wednesday night in the midst of a 13-match winning run across all competitions, the midweek guests appeared to be sat firmly in the driving seat as Dimarco opened the scoring here.
However, suffering what will be remembered as a real collapse on foreign soil as they failed to drag themselves over the finish line, Inter will take some time to recover from more Champions League frustration.
With Simone Inzaghi’s men falling to their knees as Martinez blazed over with the final spot kick, the Nerrazzuri will know that they missed out on a golden opportunity at the Metropolitano.
Griezmann extends on his European romp
While Oblak might have certainly proved to be Atletico’s hero on Wednesday night, a huge part of their Champions League success this season has come thanks to the goalscoring exploits of their French superstar.
Dragging Atletico level on the night just seconds after Dimarco’s opener, Griezmann has certainly continued on a remarkable European romp this season.
Causing Inter’s defence a string of issues here and spearheading Simeone’s charge, the World Cup winner has now notched six goals in his eight Champions League appearances this year.
In fact, after bagging a Super Cup strike against bitter local rivals Real Madrid back in January, Griezmann became Atletcio’s all-time leading marksman after notching his 174th goal.
If Atletico are to spring what would be branded as an iconic Champions League upset in 2024, it appears that their record-breaking talisman will have a leading role 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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