The match perhaps more important of the Nerazzurri season arrives when the championship is almost closed. Inzaghi’s eleven faced an obstacle not simple eats l’Atlético Madrid del Cholo Simeon. The two technicians have played together with the Lazio shirt but they didn’t hold back any rudeness in the match at the Meazza. So let’s see how the protagonists behaved in the first leg of this one fascinating eighth Champions League final.
INTER (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer 6
Almost a non-paying spectator, as often happens to him lately. Courageous in his exit on Llorente’s bet, little else.
Benjamin Pavard 7
Precise in defense, he pushes forward a lot but the spaces are very limited. Some sparks in the duel with national teammate Griezmann grow again in the second half.
Stefan de Frij 6.5
His offensive moves send the rearguard into panic red and white. Attentive in defense, with some providential interventions like the one on Llorente. Only one mistake at the end on Morata, not bad considering he had complicated opponents.
Alessandro Sticks 6,5
Aggressive, he puts a lot of pressure on the defense, especially when Inter close down the visitors in the area. Generous and precise even in the overlaps on the band.
Matteo Darmian 5,5
Not unbeatable in defense, some dangerous slips but without serious errors. Growing in the second half when the petrol ran out. From 69′ Denzel Dumfries 7 Good impact on the match, dynamic, eager, precise in his crosses and in looking for shots from outside. He makes the most of the 25 minutes that Inzaghi gives him, confirming that he deserves a starting shirt.
Nicholas Stretcher 7
He immediately started strong with a nice cross and a couple of recovered balls. He varies a lot on the pitch, even offering some preciousness.
That’s it Calhanoglu 5,5
Fantastic at distributing balls to his teammates but he makes a few too many mistakes going forward. Definitely not his best game, even though he was dealing with a very complicated midfield.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan 6
He misses a few passes that he usually makes with his eyes closed, nervous but partially redeems himself in coverage. In the second half he has more space and increases his level. From the 71st minute Davide Frattesi 6 He would have a great desire to destroy everything but he is unlucky to enter when the plans are out of order and there is so much nervousness.
Federico Dimarco 6
A little in the shade but he marks Molina well on the wing. Much less effective than usual in crosses. When Witsel moves to the center he has an easier time. From 69′ Charles Augustus 6.5 Coming off a great performance against Salernitana, he confirms that he is in an excellent moment. Precise in defense, proactive going forward, another good performance.
Lautaro Martinez 6
Witsel suffers a bit at the beginning but then he returns to his usual self, useful to his teammates and ready to exploit every half of the ball he has available. Not his mistake on Thuram’s assist in the first half. He perhaps could have done better on the header in the 77th minute but he made up for it on the assist to Arnautovic. From 88′ Alexis Sanchez 6 He has very little time available but he uses it to the best of his ability, contributing both in attack and defense. He wants to play and regain his place in the team, which is a great sign.
Marcus Thuram 6,5
Slightly late on Barella’s cross, he is narrowly marked and struggles to get going. Fantastic at the end of the first half, when he offers a golden ball to Lautaro and returns to make the difference. Very unfortunate to suffer the injury at the best time. From the 46th minute Marko Arnautovic 6.5 He would have immediately got the right ball to break the deadlock but he’s a little late. However, he enters the game well, helping to get his teammates up with their backs to the goal. He does everything well except the shot that grazes the crossbar. In the end, good at staying cool in the goal.
Simone Inzaghi 6
Inter were immediately aggressive and didn’t let them play Colchoneros but without ever going unbalanced. It’s a great idea to unleash De Vrij and Pavard forward to blow up Simeone’s goals. Inter lack a bit of malice but, in the end, they manage to get a well-deserved goal. The mental stability at the end was also good, as the Nerazzurri pushed for the second goal without taking risks in defence.
ATLETICO MADRID (3-5-2)
Jan cloud 6
He gets his gloves dirty maybe half a time but makes little or no mistakes. In the second half, busier but providential on Lautaro’s header.
Jose Maria Gimenez 6
Simeone doesn’t ask him for who knows what miracles but he is always reliable. His work is not very noticeable but it is fundamental in closings. Given his back problems, he leaves at half-time. From 46′ Stefan Savic 5,5 The former Viola takes Witsel’s place on the wing, not an easy task. He gets along reasonably well until he risks getting a red and sending Kovacs to hell.
Axel Witsel 7
Francobolla Lautaro and nullifies him for long stretches: now in defense he is a security, he saves the goal several times. Second half as a central defender with a providential touch on Arnautovic’s opportunity.
Mario Beautiful 6
Attacking is not his job and it shows. In coverage it is very useful, a little less in setting. The late intervention on Barella was bad and earned him a yellow card. From 67′ Reinildo 5,5 The Brazilian pushes a lot on the wing but lacks a bit of clarity and precision.
Nahuel Molina 6
His plays were dangerous in the three quarters, he came close to disaster with a handball in the 14th minute but recovered well. However always precise and effective. From the 67th minute Pablo Barrios s.v.
Rodrigo By Paul 6
He varies a lot in midfield but always finds little space. Growing at the end of the first half. With the entry of Morata he moves to the flank and is seen even less.
Quick 6
He understands that it is not the right evening to push forward, he retreats a lot but still gives solidity to the Spanish midfielder. He loses his composure for a moment at the end of the game.
Saul Niguez 5
He suffers in comparison with Barella on the wing but moves a lot. A few too many fouls in midfield, his game was lackluster. From the 53rd minute Alvaro Morata 6 Immediate impact on the match despite returning from injury. He manages the pace of the match, distributes balls, gives security to the department. However, he is always the number one public danger for the Nerazzurri defence.
Samuel Diaz Lino 6.5
Darmian bites his heels but still manages to find space for the shot. The Brazilian is always dangerous even if he slows down every now and then. As soon as he has space he is devastating.
Antoine Griezmann 5,5
Up front he touches few balls and often misses them too. He improves when he moves back to get the ball, as he also does against France. He elbows his way a lot, comes out very tired. From 77′ Angel SV strap
Marcos Llorente 6,5
He gives the impression of not knowing what to invent to shake off the Nerazzurri defenders. It’s a bit strange to see him lending a hand to the defense but he’s fundamental in closing down.
Diego Simeone 6
Inzaghi’s moves force him to often change his attitude but theAthletes he always remains solid and dangerous on the counterattack. After Morata’s entry the second half was in the trenches but with the usual confidence. In the end Inter found the goal but still a good performance on a pitch that was never easy for the Spanish side.
Stephen blacksmith 6,5 (referee)
The Romanian whistle is one of those in Europe that blows the least and, in fact, lets play a lot. Very few errors, he manages to control the game when nervousness exceeds the alert levels.
