Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan:
“Of course, the result is disappointing, but we can’t be disheartened. Inter were strong, especially in possession, and their goal late in the game punished us for a lapse in concentration. We fought hard, defended well for periods, and Oblak was phenomenal as always.”
“There are lessons to be learned from this match. We need to be more clinical in attack, take our chances when they come, and avoid those moments of defensive vulnerability. The second leg at home will be different. With our fans behind us, we need to show even more passion and intensity, while remaining disciplined and organized.”
“We know it’s an uphill battle, but we’re Atletico Madrid. We’re known for our resilience and never-say-die attitude. We’ll regroup, learn from this, and approach the second leg with full belief in our ability to overturn the deficit. We won’t give up until the final whistle blows.”
Inter Aim for Quarterfinals as Atletico Face Familiar Foes in Tight CL Clash
Inter Milan extended their winning streak to nine games across all competitions in 2024, but were pushed to the limit by a resilient Atletico Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first leg. A late strike from substitute Marko Arnautovic secured a narrow 1-0 victory for the Nerazzurri, leaving the tie delicately poised heading into the return leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Inter dominated possession and territory throughout the encounter, but Atletico remained a constant threat on the counter. While the Nerazzurri created more clear-cut chances, Jan Oblak stood tall in the Atletico goal, denying Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Çalhanoğlu on multiple occasions.
Yannick Carrasco and Samuel Lino provided flashes of attacking intent for Atletico, but the visitors lacked the cutting edge in the final third. Their best opportunity fell to Alvaro Morata, who headed wide from close range in the dying minutes.
The game seemed destined for a goalless draw until Arnautovic, introduced after Marcus Thuram’s injury, emerged as the unlikely hero. He pounced on a rebound from Lautaro Martinez’s shot in the 79th minute, squeezing the ball past Oblak to spark jubilation in the San Siro.
Despite the defeat, Atletico can take solace in their defensive solidity and the fact that the tie remains within their grasp. They demonstrated their ability to frustrate Inter and create counter-attacking opportunities, which could prove crucial in the cauldron of the Wanda Metropolitano.