Inter Milan took a 1-0 lead in their Champions League last-16 series following a home win on Tuesday. The match was decided late by Marko Arnautovic, a second-half substitute who replaced the injured Marcus Thuram. Arnautovic found the net in the 79th minute after goalkeeper Jan Oblak denied Lautaro Martínez. This was a rare encounter between the two sides, the first being the 2010 UEFA Super Cup where Atletico won 2-0. The deciding second leg is set for March 13 in Spain.
Inter Milan defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 at home on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, thanks to a late strike from substitute Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian striker, who replaced the injured Marcus Thuram at half-time, scored after Lautaro Martínez’s effort was stopped by goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the 79th minute of the game. It was only the sides’ second meeting, with Atletico winning 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup back in 2010. The return match is scheduled for March 13 in the Spanish capital.
In a touching tribute at San Siro, Inter Milan players sported black armbands to honor Andreas Brehme, the German World Cup winner and former club player who died Tuesday at age 63.
Inter dictated the play from the start, maintaining a strong defensive presence that neutralized Atletico's threats. Samuel Lino nearly broke the deadlock with a right-footed shot that sailed just wide. Meanwhile, Inter's duo of Martinez and Thuram tried several times to score before the break, but they were kept at bay by a stubborn defense and the impressive shot-stopping of Jan Oblak.
Inter pushed hard at the start of the second half; Federico Dimarco found Arnautovic with a cross, but the striker missed his chance, firing over the goal. Shortly after the hour mark, Arnautovic missed another open opportunity, leaving the home crowd anxious before he eventually redeemed himself with the game-winning goal. However, the win was tempered by concerns for Marcus Thuram. The influential Frenchman had to be taken off at halftime due to a leg injury, a worrying blow for manager Simone Inzaghi given Thuram's stellar form this season, having recorded 12 goals and 11 assists.
Speaking after the match, Simone Inzaghi expressed his pride, stating, \"I'm very pleased. The team played brilliantly against a physically and technically gifted opponent who made things difficult for us.\" He acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting, \"This is only the first leg, and the return match will be a struggle. While I feel we could have scored more given the chances we created, that's football. We move forward.\"
In other Champions League action, PSV Eindhoven managed a comeback to earn a draw against Borussia Dortmund at the Philips Stadion. The return leg is scheduled for March 13 in Dortmund.