We joined with good people Football Italy to give you the inside view of what to expect from Atletico Madrid'Inter's opponents this week. Here's how Simone Inzaghi looks at the best ex-teammate Diego Simeone.
Simone Inzaghi's Inter are looking to repeat their run to the Champions League final, but their first knockout test comes against a revived Atletico Madrid.
The Nerazzurri experienced “magical nights” on the European stage last season, as the coach highlighted in his pre-match press conference, reaching the Champions League final in Istanbul, where they fell painfully at Manchester City in a 1-0 defeat.
now, Inter they try to go one step further. Inzaghi managed his team carefully in the group stage, perhaps too much, according to some, and his rotations saw the team finish second behind Real Sociedad, winning just three of their six games.
Where the Nerazzurri have really shone this season is in Serie A, where they have managed to secure a nine-point lead over second-placed Juventus after 24 games, still holding a game in hand. They have suffered just one defeat this campaign, going down against Sassuolo 2-1 in September.
The Milan club's only other defeat this term came in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, where they fell to Thiago Motta's Bologna 2-1 after extra time. Otherwise, the team was almost flawless, winning the Italian Super Cup after victories over Lazio and Napoli.
Two players in particular have been fundamental to Inter's success this season – Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. The former has clearly shown himself to be one of the top strikers on the European scene, having scored 20 goals in 22 league games in the last six months.
Partner of the Argentine star is Thuram, who arrived on a free transfer last summer. The Frenchman instantly formed a strong partnership with the Nerazzurri captain and has been no worse in front of goal himself, scoring 10 and providing 10 in 24 Serie A games.
Inzaghi almost always puts Inter into a fluid 3-5-2 system, focusing build-up play through the center of the pitch with Henrik Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu. In defense, the team often uses a diagonal line of three, forcing opponents to change the game or start a new action, while in offense, the Nerazzurri focus on quick plays with runners or punishing counterattacks.
The Italian coach is also incredibly shrewd when it comes to his substitutions, often making a handful of changes in the 60.th and 75th minute signs. He is not afraid to take out both Lautaro and Thuram at the same moment, switching the attack with Marko Arnautovic and Alexis Sanchez.
Davide Frattesi, Carlos Augusto and Davy Klaassen will all likely come off the bench for the Nerazzurri as well, offering different solutions in midfield. This flexibility gives Inter multiple routes to victory, giving them a backup plan should things take a downward turn.
Another element that always comes with Inter is their characteristic madness; the club has a history of unpredictability, chaos and dramatic endings, something that still risks happening despite its recent form.
Inter face a tough task in their Champions League round of 16 tie with Atletico, but victory over Diego Simeone's side could be an important sign in their quest for European glory.
