Inter had 1-0 to go on before the return meeting with Atlético Madrid in the Spanish capital. The blue and black also made sure to improve their lead in the Champions League round of 16.
The deadlock was broken following just over half an hour of play. Inter got around on the left wing, where Nicolo Barella got a lot of space to work with. From there he found Federico Dimarco with a cut inwards and Dimarco was ice cold when the opportunity presented itself.
– A brilliant attack from Inzaghi’s Inter, said Fjellström.
But Atlético Madrid responded in a flash. Just a minute later, a messy situation arose in Inter’s penalty area following Koke sent in a chip pass. The ball was finally free and Antoine Griezmann sent in 1-1 in the match. The score was then 2-1 to Inter in the double meeting.
– Wow, what a first half, said Fjellström.
The score at halftime was 1-1.
Shortly following half-time, Atlético Madrid had a golden chance to equalize in the doubleheader. Marcos Llorente found his way to Griezmann, who was in the box. The Frenchman finished on a strike but it was too tame to outwit Yann Sommer.
With a quarter of an hour left, Marcus Thuram had a good chance to put the nail in the coffin, but the Inter forward missed the opportunity and shot over.
– It is a time to decide this match and the match series, said Fjellström.
Instead of a decisive goal by Thuram, Atlético Madrid leveled the doubleheader. Koke found substitute Memphis Depay, who sent in the 2-1 match and 2-2 on aggregate. That goal came in the 87th minute.
With 30 seconds left, Atlético Madrid’s Rodrigo Riquelme had a superb chance, but the 23-year-old shot high. In connection with Riquelme burning his golden chance, coach Diego Simeone collapsed. He simply mightn’t believe his eyes.
The match went to extra time.
Early in extra time, Thuram had to stand clear in the penalty area and nod, but the Inter forward was unable to get his attempt.
Shortly therefollowing, Depay spliced a pass towards goal. The finish forced Sommer to answer for a sharp reflex save.
The first overtime quarter remained scoreless, the second as well.
The match went to penalties. In the end, Atlético Madrid managed to defeat Inter and advance to the quarter-finals. The big scapegoat in Inter was Lautaro Martinez, who shot the last penalty high, high over.
– What you have to remember regarding penalty kicking is that it is extremely difficult to train yourself for. I’ve been in teams where you go for it, that you should be well prepared for a penalty shootout. You put ten out of ten into training. Those who look the hottest are usually the ones who miss, says TV4’s expert commentator Mikael Lustig.
– It’s psychological and you have to choose where you want to put the ball. But you have such spaghetti legs when you stand there. It’s incredibly tough.
When the match was over, several Atlético’s Koke and Diego Simeone were seen to be moved and teary-eyed.
– It was a real drama and a magical match. I think we deserved to go through because we played very bravely. We attacked from minute one and we are very happy to go ahead and beat Inter, who I think is one of the best teams in Europe this season, Atleti’s Stefan Savic told TV4.
Teammate Jan Oblak:
– A wonderful evening. We won and it was difficult right to the end. But I’m happy and we live to play matches like this, he tells TV4.
Afterwards, at the same time, Saul Niguez, who burned his penalty, apologizes to X – despite the fact that in the end it was victory in the shocker.
“It is difficult for me to write now, but as I write in good times, I must write in bad times. It was a sad moment for me, and I am aware of it. I accept all criticism, and not only because of the punishment but because of how I am now. I don’t know exactly what it is, but the only thing I’ve learned is to keep working hard until the situation changes,” he writes.
Punishment:
1. Hakan Calhanoglu – goal
2. Memphis Depay – goal
3. Alexis Sanchez – miss
4. Saul Niguez – miss
5. Davy Klaassen – miss
6. Rodrigo Riquelme – goal
7. Francesco Acerbi – goal
8. Joaquin Correa – goal
9. Lautaro Martinez – miss
The quarter-final draw takes place on Friday at 12.00 and is broadcast on the Football Channel.
Startelvor:
Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Savic, Witsel, Hermoso – Molina, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lino – Morata, Griezmann.
Inter: Sommer – Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni – Dumfries, Berella, Calhanoglu, Mchitarjan, Dimarco – Martinez, Thuram.
You watch all matches from the Champions League TV4 Play.
