Arnautovic makes up for a huge miss and helps Inter past weak Atlético Madrid

Jan Hoeksema


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Inter deservedly defeated Atlético Madrid on Tuesday evening in the first leg of the eighth finals of the Champions League. The Milanese had the best of the game throughout the match and hardly gave the opponent any chances: 1-0. The scorer was Marko Arnautovic, who had missed a huge opportunity not long before.

Inter's selection guarantees three Dutch internationals, of which only one seems assured of a starting place in recent months: Stefan de Vrij. This was also the case in the match against Atlético. That meant that Denzel Dumfries and Davy Klaassen started on the bench.

On the Madrid side, the striker duo consisted of Antonine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente. Memphis Depay, who has been on a roll in recent weeks, Álvaro Morata and Ángel Correa, among others, took their place on the reserve bench.

In the first half there was one player who clearly provided a threat: Lautaro Martínez. The Inter striker tried from distance after half an hour and only just missed. A few minutes later he was dangerous again with a header, but goalkeeper Jan Oblak was alert. Just before half time, the Argentinian was threatening after a nice rush from Marcus Thuram, but three times turned out not to be a charm.

Atlético did not get further than pinpricks in the first half. Diege Simeone's team shot only twice before the break, one of which was from distance. Halfway through the score was 0-0.

In the second act, Simeone seemed to want to do things a little differently, as after ten minutes of play he decided to bring on Morata for midfielder Saúl Ñiguez. It did not immediately result in a change in the game picture, although full-back Samuel Lino was given an opportunity on behalf of the Spaniards. The Brazilian's shot ended up on the wrong side of the post.

The biggest chance of the match in the billion dollar ball came in the 63rd minute. Substitute Arnautovic had a huge opportunity after a tight cross from the left, but the Austrian shot over Oblak's goal from very close range.

His miss would ultimately not break Inter. After capturing the ball in Atlético's half, Martínez went alone to the enemy goal and all he had to do was outwit Oblak. He did not do that, but the rebound was spent on Arnautovic, who made him forget his earlier miss: 1-0.

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