Atlético was narrowly defeated tonight at San Siro in a very tactical match, a duel of slates in which the colchoneros did not show the weakness of their performances in the league championship. The 1-0 score forces the colchoneros to make a comeback at the Metropolitano, where they have only lost all season against Athletic in the Cup semi-final.
There were no surprises in the lineups. Inter, intractable in the match, came out with their defense of three and Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez at the top. At Atlético Marcos Llorente accompanied Griezmann up front and the defense was five. Both teams accumulated midfielders in the media zone and the game was very tight.
In the first half during the first half hour there were no scoring opportunities, with both teams very focused on not making defensive errors. In the last quarter of an hour of the first half the markers loosened and the first opportunities came, which were all from Inter. First, in a shot by Lautaro on a ball that Thuram gave him. The best came in the 38th minute in an error by De Paul in the delivery in the center of the field. Thuram came out against him, who won the race from Witsel and gave it to Lautaro. The Argentine’s shot hit Mario Hermoso and went to a corner kick. In the last moments of said period, Marcus Thuram and José María Giménez were injured, replaced at the beginning of the second half by Arnautovic and Savic.
Inter came out much better in the second half. He locked up Atlético, who really began to suffer. A cross from Dimarco led to a high shot from Arnautovic that looked like the first goal.
Simeone saw it badly and ordered a tactical change. He brought out Morata, who had suffered a sprain eight days ago, for Saúl, forcing Llorente to delay his position. The change suited Atlético well, who seemed to be in a better position and shook off their dominance.
In the 62nd minute, Inter was able to score in a great combination that left Arnautovic against Oblak, but the Austrian finished high again. Lautaro headed but Oblak stopped firmly. Griezmann limped off and Correa came on, who barely came into play.
Then came Inter’s goal in the 79th minute in a misunderstanding between De Paul and Reinildo. Oblak saved a first shot from Lautaro but couldn’t with Arnautovic’s second, which Reinildo didn’t reach either. Morata still had the equalizer with a header in the 88th minute, but the ball went wide. Atlético is forced to come back.
