Atletico Madrid - FC Internazionale predictions and free betting tips [13/03/2024]

On Wednesday, 13th March, as part of the return leg of the ⅛ final of the Champions League, Madrid's "Atletico" will host "Inter" on their home field. Three weeks ago, the "Nerazzurri" scored a minimal victory with a score of 1:0 at San Siro thanks to a goal by Marco Arnautovic, so now the "mattress makers" have to win at all costs.

Atletico

After an extremely unsuccessful continental campaign last season, which was marked by an exit from the group stage of the Champions League and non-participation in the Europa League, "Atletico" returned to the playoffs of the main club tournament in Europe. Despite taking first place in Group E, which included "Lazio", "Feyenoord" and "Celtic", the Madrid side were unlucky to meet Serie A leader "Inter" in the ⅛ final. In a match three weeks ago, Silvino Louro's men failed to hit Sommer's goal once, allowed a gross error in defence in the second half, and deservedly lost with a score of 1:0. In La Liga, the hosts are trailing behind Madrid's "Real" by 14 points and cannot boast of stability in the results: a major 5:0 victory over "Las Palmas" and an important 2:1 victory over "Betis" alternate with difficulties away from home (4 straight trips without a win).

"Atletico" was also knocked out of the Copa del Rey semi-final by "Athletic Bilbao" (4:0 over two legs). It's important to note that Diego Simeone's men failed to advance in any of their last three Champions League playoff clashes after losing the first leg, although they've only lost one of their last 32 home games in all tournaments at the Wanda Metropolitano. Antoine Griezmann (11 goals, 6 assists in La Liga) was substituted out in the 78th minute in San Siro after suffering an ankle sprain, and his participation in the return leg remains in doubt. The hosts' attack will be led by Alvaro Morata (5 Champions League goals), who has managed to recover from a minor injury, as has Gabriel Paulista. However, Thomas Lemar (ruptured Achilles tendon), Cesar Azpilicueta and central defender Jiménez remain in the club's infirmary.

Inter

"Inter" conceded first place in their group to "Real Sociedad" by a goal difference, despite 3 wins and 3 draws in six rounds. However, the "Nerazzurri" reached the playoffs of the main continental championship for the third time in a row, and last year they even reached the final, where, however, they suffered an offensive defeat 1:0 against "Manchester City". On the domestic front, "Inter" is racing full steam ahead to another Scudetto, which the club hasn't won since the 2020-21 season. After losing to "Sassuolo" in late September, Simone Inzaghi's team has not made any more mistakes and deservedly occupies first place in the Serie A table with a 15-point lead over second-place "Juventus". The team's confidence is boosted by a run of 10 straight wins, including against such giants as "Fiorentina" (0:1), "Juventus" (1:0), "Roma" (2:4), "Atalanta" (4:0) and "Bologna" (0:1).

"Inter" has advanced in seven of the last eight Champions League playoffs after winning the first leg, but the "Nerazzurri" haven't won any of their last 10 visits to Spain in the main continental championship. Central defender Acerbi returned to action last week and is likely to take centre stage in defence on Wednesday evening. Frenchman Marcus Thuram (10 goals and 7 assists) is also available to play, and his strike partner will be the impeccable Lautaro Martinez (23 goals). The Argentine tops the list of top scorers in Serie A this season. Turkish midfielder Calhanoglu will ensure midfield reliability alongside Barella and Mkhitaryan, while Cuadrado and Sensi are still in treatment.

Head-to-head 

In their entire history, these two clubs have only met twice: in 2010 the Spaniards won the UEFA Super Cup (0:2), and three weeks ago the "Nerazzurri" won by a minimum score (1:0).

Match prediction Atletico - Inter

The "mattress makers" have no choice but to take the initiative into their own hands and try to turn the tide of the confrontation. But the task, frankly speaking, looks daunting: "Inter" this season looks like a well-tuned mechanism without vulnerable places, and the current form of the team cannot but astonish. I'll risk to predict a draw.