Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan
In Champions League terms, these two sides could be described as the “nearly men” of the past decade or so.
Twice beaten finalists (Atletico Madrid in 2014 and 2016, Inter Milan twice in the past three seasons), they have gone agonisingly close to being crowned champions of Europe.
In truth, they have had to compete against foes with much deeper pockets and have still managed to secure their own domestic title successes in recent seasons, ensuring Diego Simeone (still with Los Rojiblancos) and Simone Inzaghi (formerly of Inter) are ranked among the best managers of the modern day.
Yet what chance do the current teams have of enjoying Champions League 2025 highlights and progressing to the latter stages of this season’s competition?
Perhaps we are about to find out.
Talking Points
In truth, this SBOTOP scribe isn’t going to start putting money on either team any time soon.
Atletico can beat anyone on their day, as shown in September when they hit city rivals Real Madrid for five in what has been their only league defeat so far this term.
Likewise, Inter Milan should be there or thereabouts again in Serie A and would have been top of the table right now but for a surprise setback at home to their own city neighbours, AC Milan, on Sunday night.
If you assess our Champions League 2025 betting odds, you will see that Inter and Atletico are 10th and 11th favourites respectively and not really tipped to make their mark at the sharp end of the competition.
Who knows, though? For with a favourable draw, not to mention hitting form at the right time, both clubs are highly capable of making their dream become a reality.
They have mixed team news ahead of their meeting. Atletico, who secured a narrow 1-0 win at Getafe on Sunday afternoon to consolidate fourth place in La Liga, have doubts over both goalkeeper Jan Oblak and striker Marcos Llorente, who has proven to be a genuine threat in this competition.
If the experienced shot-stopper is absent, Juan Musso will continue to deputise, while at the other end, Antoine Griezmann – rested against Getafe – is likely to vie with Giacomo Raspadori and Alexander Sorloth to partner Julian Alvarez up front.
Since the start of last season, the Argentine striker has 14 Champions League goals to his name.
His international teammate, Lautaro Martinez, will lead the line for Inter and is a player of real pedigree with 12 goals in his last 11 Champions League appearances.
The captain is set to make his 50th start in the competition for the Nerazzurri who are likely to be without talented Dutchman Denzel Dumfries, alongside already sidelined Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian.
History
Believe it or not, until last year, these clubs had only met once competitively.
That was in the UEFA Super Cup in 2010 when reigning European champions Inter met Europa League winners Atletico in Monaco.
By then Jose Mourinho had departed and successor Rafa Benitez could not prevent his side conceding twice in six second half minutes through the late and much missed Jose Antonio Reyes and Sergio Aguero.
Atletico, managed at the time by Quique Sanchez Flores, held for a 2-0 win after Diego Milito saw a last minute penalty saved by a young David De Gea.
Their only other meeting was a friendly in the summer of 2018 in Spain which Inter won 1-0.
That was until the last 16 of the Champions League two seasons ago.
At the time, Inter were slight favourites, having reached the final eight months earlier.
But in a dramatic and tense conclusion, Atletico won a penalty shoot-out on home turf to edge through after the sides were level at 2-2 after both legs.
Inter won 1-0 in the San Siro first leg, courtesy of substitute Marko Arnautovic, and they looked set to have one foot in the quarter-finals when Federico Dimarco put them 2-0 up on aggregate.
Yet Griezmann quickly responded to give Atletico hope and, with the away goals rule now gone, the hosts knew one more would level the tie.
It duly arrived when substitute Memphis Depay netted with three minutes remaining.
Neither side could be separated in extra-time which meant a shootout in which Oblak proved the hero with two saves as Atletico won 3-2 on spot-kicks.
Betting Tip
While Atletico sit in 17th in the 36-group Champions League table with two wins and two defeats, Inter have a 100 per cent record so far with four wins from four.
However, I think that is going to end on Wednesday in the Metropolitano.
There’s not much between the sides when you look at 1X2 Atletico @ 2.26 and 1X2 Inter @ 2.89, while the draw offers extremely good value @ 3.19.
Asian Handicap odds also suggest a closely matched encounter with bets including Atletico -0.50 @ 2.26 and Inter 0.00 @ 2.29.
A re-run of their last meeting on Spanish soil after 90 minutes (a 2-1 home win) will pay out @ 8.60 with Correct Score. It’s Atletico to edge this for me.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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