Couple Lucas Michel
Publié here à 22:55, Mis à jour here à 23:15
Entering the break, Arnautovic scored the only goal of the match. GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP
Dominant throughout the match, the Italians took an option on qualification thanks to Thuram’s replacement, who came off at the break.
In times not so long ago, an opposition between Inter Milan and Atlético de Madrid would have aroused much skepticism in terms of goals. But the recent developments of the two teams suggested a lively and open meeting. It was, but the goals were indeed not legion. And it is Inter who leaves with the advantage, validated by a victory by the smallest of margins in the first leg this Tuesday evening (1-0).
A deserved advantage for the locals, who had control of the ball and a litany of clear chances. But the unusual clumsiness of his captain Lautaro Martinez, an example of self-sacrifice lacking in finishing (32nd, 34th, 39th, 46th, 77th), delayed the deadline for a long time for visitors. Dangerous in brief sequences, around the half hour mark then the hour mark, the Colchoneros almost fell behind on the gong, on a header from Alvaro Morata (89th), but a draw would have been a miracle. Because before, Marko Arnautovic, Giuseppe Meazza’s unexpected hero, delivered an entire stadium as an opportunist (79th).
Read alsoInter Milan-Atlético de Madrid: in video, Arnautovic’s furious goal which delivers the Italians
Thuram sees his replacement shine, Griezmann also leaves with injury
Substitute at kick-off, the Austrian nevertheless headed straight towards a nightmare evening. Entering the track at the break to replace Marcus Thuram, injured in the adductors after an interesting first period, the veteran (34 years old) started to play. Obviously… at his expense, the fault of sometimes senseless failures (48th, 51st, 63rd). So that whistles came down from the curves players with every touch of the ball. A quarter of an hour later, the former Bologna player will change the face of the evening.
Also read: Inter Milan-Atletico de Madrid: Thuram and Griezmann are injured
Opposite, the Madrilenians could hardly hope for better (5 shots, 0 on target), like Antoine Griezmann who was discreet because he was too muzzled. Hit in the ankle, the number 7 of the Blues will even come out with an injury… a minute before the locals’ goal. Evening without, therefore, for the Diego Simeone gang, in an unfortunate position before the return, where reasons for hope still remain in view of the tiny gap which left both teams this Tuesday.
