Inter coach Simone Inzaghi expects Atletico Madrid to 'transform' ahead of Champions League
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi has told his team to expect a completely different Atletico Madrid for his second leg in the Champions League at the Metropolitano. The Nerazzurri take a 1-0 lead against Madrid, but defender Federico Dimarco also insisted it didn't matter.
Atletico are coming off a humiliating defeat at Cadiz away from home this weekend, and Inzaghi said he doesn't necessarily expect a more offensive-minded Atletico to win in the second leg, despite the score.
“Looking at the season, we did very well against the teams that expected us and also against the more aggressive ones. I don't know what Atlético will do this time. They have a team that changes during the game, sometimes more aggressive, sometimes less… The players have a lot of quality and it will be a very intense game. We have to be skilled, manage the difficulties and make the difference.”
However, a different team was expected. The Colchoneros have been night and day away from home this season, and have won just two of their last eleven away from the capital, but have only been beaten once at home in the last year.
“It is a fact, Atlético at home is changing. In the League, they will be the first if they still play there. Out of 14 games, they have won 13 and drawn one. Of the last 28 or 30 they have only lost against 'at Athletic, and they didn't deserve it. We all know what Atletico is, the great coach that Cholo is, who is also a good teammate and a friend. We have prepared in these two and a half days in the best way , knowing that the Metropolitano is iconic and that we have an advantage, but we will not think much about what happened in Milan”.
‼️ Today there will be a record attendance at the Metropolitan. There are no tickets available for sale. The capacity of the stadium is 70,460 spectators.
(via @rubenuria & @Objetivoatleti) pic.twitter.com/nKeeoZyt0D
— Atlético Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 13, 2024
Meanwhile Dimarco said that there would be no intimidation for the Inter players in the face of a raucous Metropolitano.
“Yes, we are ready. The crowd will be the same as we had in San Siro, I don't see a big difference. They are a strong team and they have a very strong crowd.”
He also implored Inter not to rest on their laurels, despite the advantage they have.
“It will be difficult, like every game in the Champions League, we have a minimal advantage and we know that in this competition it doesn't count much. We can't go with the wrong approach,” he said AS Diary.
