Atlético Madrid - Inter Milan summary: shootout, score, goals and highlights | Champions League

Oblaktupus strikes again

Atlético keeper Jan Oblak dives to his right to save a penalty during Los Colchoneros' shootout win.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Champions League 2023-24 quarter-final, semi-final draws: time, format, teams, dates

My colleague Paul Reidy has the full lowdown on Friday's draw, in which teams' path through the semi-finals will also be decided. What's more, the draw will determine which last-four tie will produce the 'home' team in June's final at Wembley.

UCL quarter-final draw on Friday

Now we know the eight teams through to the next round, all eyes will turn to this week's quarter-final draw.

It's due to be held on Friday 15 March, with UEFA headquarters in Nyon the venue. It's scheduled for 12 noon local time; in the US, that's 7am ET/4am PT.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Which teams have qualified for the 2023-24 Champions League quarter-finals? When is the draw?

Courtesy of my colleague Roddy Cons, here's a full report on the line-up for the quarter-finals, and how they got there.

Who is in the UCL quarter-finals?

So, after Atlético's heroic win over Inter tonight, the Champions League quarter-final line-up is as follows:

Arsenal (ENG)
Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP)
Bayern Munich (GER)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Manchester City (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Real Madrid (ESP)

Oblak: "The fans never let us down"

Penalty hero Jan Oblak, who saved two spot-kicks, has been speaking to Spanish TV channel Movistar.

“It was a great atmosphere here tonight, the fans never let us down," he said. "The fans were the 12th man, they helped us a lot and finally everyone can go home happy.”

He added: “Today we put in a great performance. We played really well [...]. We gave it our all, and we’re delighted to be in the quarter-finals.”

Extra-time experts

Atlético have now progressed from their last four two-legged Champions League ties that have gone to extra time.

Atlético complete Spanish trio in QFs

In her match preview for AS, my colleague Patricia Cazón had written that the Metropolitano needed its first great European comeback. Now it has it.

Atlético go into Friday's quarter-final draw, which will have three LaLiga teams in it.

Nobody of an Atlético persuasion has moved from their seat, and the players are enjoying a lap of honour.

Diego Simeone is on the verge of tears, and the Atlético fans are absolutely belting out the club anthem.

This will go down as one of Los Colchoneros' great European nights.

Lautaro misses! Atlético 3-2 Inter - Los Rojiblancos win the shootout!

Lauataro's penalty is horrible. He skies it, in a manner reminiscent of that Beckham spot-kick in England's Euro 2004 shootout against Portugal.

Atlético are through! Oblak is mobbed!

Klaassen misses too! Atlético 1-1 Inter

Again Oblak saves! Atlético have another chance to move ahead.

Saúl also misses! Atlético 1-1 Inter

Saúl has the chance to put the hosts ahead in the shootout... but Sommer saves!

Alexis misses! Atlético 1-1 Inter

Next up for Inter is Alexis Sánchez... whose strike is beaten out by Oblak! First blood to Atlético!

OK, here we go. Inter will take first, with Calhanoglu stepping up. Deafening whistles from the home fans.

We went eight years without a Champions League knockout tie going to penalties, and now we've had two shootouts in the space of two days.

Until Arsenal knocked Porto out from 12 yards yesterday, we hadn't had a shootout in the competition since Atlético's defeat to Real Madrid in the 2016 final.

Inter's winning run is at an end, by the way. They may still go through, of course, but a 2-1 defeat on the night is the Nerazzurri's first since December.

Szymon Marciniak blows for time, and penalties it is.

What a fabulous game this has been.

Atlético win a corner, which Riquelme will take.

Can Los Rojiblancos find a last-gasp winner?

No, they cannot. Sommer punches Riquelme's delivery away... and that is that.

Well, I say Atlético look ready for penalties, but one man who isn't settling for anything is Depay.

He spins smartly and sets off towards goal, leaving Bisseck with no option but to bring him down and accept a yellow card. Depay really has been brilliant.

At this stage, Atlético look ready for penalties.

Frattesi bursts into the box on the right, before working it across goal. Lautaro looks for a moment like he's going to turn and, very likely, score from six yards out - but the Argentine can't quite bring the ball under control! It runs away to safety.

At the other end, Saúl can't quite get his head on a left-wing ball into the box. It then bounces free inside the Inter area, but Saúl's attempts to earn a second bite at the cherry are unsuccessful.

Inter come again, working it right to Bisseck on the right. He drops a cross right onto the toe of Frattesi, but his fellow substitute can't bring it under his spell at the near post. Atlético clear.

Calhanoglu strikes - but curls his free-kick well off target.

Inter really are on the front foot right now. Alexis is first to Witsel's clearance just outside the Atlético box, and is brought down by Saúl.

A free-kick for Inter, which Calhanoglu will take...

Inter withdraw Mkhitaryan, replacing him with Davy Klaassen.

Back come Inter, feeding it right to Pavard. He delivers a cross into the area, which Atlético clear - but the hosts are suddenly struggling to get out of their own half.

To loud whistles from the home fans, Inter keep the ball for a good couple of minutes at the start of the second half.

After knocking it around inside the Atlético half, the visitors then play it back to Sommer - who almost gifts it to Depay, but gets away with it.

Peeeep! The final quarter of an hour is go.

Atlético make a change before the second half of extra time, replacing Griezmann with Saúl Ñíguez.

Peeep peep peeep! We're 15 minutes from penalties in Madrid.

Correa shows quick feet to skip past Acerbi, who has to pull him back and is booked.

A moment later, Correa again produces a fine piece of skill, turning first-time when he receives Depay's pass just outside of the Inter box. His shot, however, is less sparkling. It trundles into Sommer's arms.

Three minutes of time added on.

Depay picks himself up and takes the free-kick... but thumps it straight into the wall.

De Vrij it is who is on the receiving end, and he needs a moment or two to collect himself.

Depay has been fantastic.

He leads an Atlético break pretty much all on his own, ducking and weaving between a gaggle of Inter players before Calhanoglu finds himself with no option but to bring the Dutchman down.

Calhanoglu is booked, and Atlético have a free-kick in shooting territory.

Thuram is now off, with Alexis Sánchez on in the Frenchman's stead.

Savic and Thuram are having an animated discussion about the striker's, erm, affectionate approach to putting off his marker. Savic seems to be seeing the funny side of it; they're both seen chuckling away.

Off the ball, Savic flops to the turf after tussling with Thuram.

The replay clearly shows Thuram giving Savic's privates a good old fondle. Said fondle brings no consequences for Thuram.

Azpilicueta is on for Atlético, with Llorente withdrawn.

At the other end, Lautaro isn't far away from scoring for Inter.

Calhanoglu whips a corner in from the right, finding Lautaro's head at the near post. He directs his effort downwards, but it bounces back up and off target! You cannot take your eyes off this tie.

Atlético carve out their first moment of danger in extra time - and Depay goes so close! What an impact he's had.

Griezmann releases Riquelme, who has space to run at a backpedalling Bisseck. Riquelme crosses low to Depay, who turns it towards goal first-time - but can't beat Sommer! The Inter custodian gets a firm enough hand to it to keep it out.

Simeone responds to that moment of defensive slackness by readying César Azpilicueta to come on.

Inter were rocking at the end of normal time, but they've started the additional half hour the stronger of the two sides.

From the left, Bisseck swings over a cross to the back post, where Thuram is in a frightening amount of space. Thankfully for Atlético, he gets his header all wrong, completely mistiming his jump. But that was alarmingly lax defending from the hosts.

Thuram has been quite wasteful tonight.

Inter create the first attack of substance in extra time. Thuram leads the break, before slipping it left to Darmian, who's in acres of space.

Rather than driving into the box, though, Darmian dallies somewhat. He checks back, finally playing it to Acerbi, who can only give away a goal-kick..

Peeep! Extra time is underway.

Dortmund into quarter-finals

At Signal Iduna Park, by the way, Borussia Dortmund have booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Thanks to goals by Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus, they've beaten PSV 2-0 to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

My colleague Calum Roche has the reaction to that result.

Inter do not know what has hit them. Atlético really should be in the quarter-finals already.

Another 30 minutes coming up in the Spanish capital.

Peeep peeep peeep! Extra time it is.

Oh. Wow. Atlético should have won it there.

From the right of the box, Griezmann clips it across the area to Riquelme, who is arriving at pace and in space to shoot from 10 yards or so out.

But with the fans behind the goal ready to suck the ball into the net, Riquelme blazes over! What a finish that would have been.

Three minutes of time added on at the end of this second half.

What a fantastic evening of football this has been; and it looks like we're going to have half an hour more of it. Fine by me.

Koke is booked for a late tackle.

Blimey, I can't keep up. Right away, Atlético come pouring back forward, thrusting the ball back into the Inter box. Llorente can't connect with a header, and the visitors hack it clear.

The home fans roar in approval, and well they might. 

Depay hits the post!

The Dutchman shoots from the edge of the Inter area and, though he beats Sommer, Inter are rescued by the woodwork.

But then...

That's Barella's final involvement tonight.

He and Dimarco are replaced by Yann Bisseck and Davide Frattesi.

And again Inter break forward and create a chance to put the tie to bed!

This time it's Barella who is slipped in behind the Atlético defence - but he, too, is unable to beat Oblak. Receiving Lautaro's ball inside the penalty area, he sends a right-footed strike on goal, but it's straight at the keeper.

Ten minutes to go at the Cívitas Metropolitano - can Atlético find the goal they need?

They almost do. Correa darts towards the byline on the right, before drilling a low cross into the middle. Depay is there to control, but when he tries to turn and shoot from six yards out, he finds his path to goal blocked.

Right away, Memphis has a headed chance - but nods off target! It was a fine ball into the box that found the Dutchman, but he seemed to mistime his jump.

Diego Simeone sends another two substitutes on, bringing on Pablo Barrios and Memphis Depay for Nahuel and Morata.

Oh, what a chance for Thuram! He could have killed the tie right there.

It's wonderful play by Lautaro, who crosses the halfway line before threading the most inch-perfect of inch-perfect passes into Thuram's run into the area. The Frenchman steadies himself and shoots from 12 yards or so out, but blazes over!

That's bright play by Riquelme. Cutting inside from the left, he glides between Darmian and Mkhitaryan, before pulling the trigger from the edge of the box. It's deflected wide, but that's promising from the sub.

Now Inter also make a double substitution.

Simone Inzaghi introduces Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi, who replace Dumfries and Bastoni.

Atlético make a double change.

Ángel Correa and Rodrigo Riquelme are on, with Lino and De Paul making way.

Inter burst forward down the left, Dimarco charging into crossing space before swinging it high over towards the far post. Hermoso gets his head to it, though, and Atlético clear.

Atlético are preparing to bring on Ángel Correa, it would appear.

Los Colchoneros have 20 minutes, plus stoppage time, to draw level in this last-16 tie.

It remains 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund in Germany, by the way. 

As things stand, it's Dortmund and Inter who'll be completing the last-eight line-up.

A reminder that you can follow Dortmund vs PSV live with Cal.

Back come Atlético, working it to De Paul in a crossing position deep on the right. He tries to ping a ball into the danger area, but gets his delivery all wrong. It flies out for a throw-in over on the opposite flank.

Having been culpable for giving away an Inter chance a few minutes ago, Savic produces a good bit of defending to deny Thuram.

From the right, Barella swings over a dangerous, whipped cross towards the penalty spot - but Savic gets there before Thuram, and heads away.

An hour gone at the Cívitas Metropolitano, then. Atlético have played ever so well tonight, but they're right where they were at the start of the night: in need of a goal to level the tie.

That's a better shooting chance for Morata, but he lifts it over the bar from just inside the Inter box! And, to make matters worse, Griezmann was in a great position if he'd let it run through to the Frenchman.

Llorente's cross from the right bounces into the middle towards Morata, who can't control his first-time shot. Standing right behind Morata was Griezmann, who was all alone at the back post. He throws his arms up in frustration.

Morata nods it down to Llorente, who has space to bustle forward on the right.

He doesn't have many red and white shirts forward with him, so he checks back and feeds it to Griezmann.

He plays it low into Morata, who receives at the top of the box with his back to goal - and when the Spaniard tries to turn and shoot, his strike is blocked by a wall of blue and black.

Oh, that's loose play by Savic, who gifts Inter a shooting chance.

The defender wafts wayward pass out from the back straight to the feet of Mkhitaryan, who needs no encouragement to shoot from range. The Armenian lets fly from 25 yards or so out... but slices it high and wide. A let-off for Atlético.

That's excellent hussle from Llorente, who chases back well to prevent Mkhitaryan from pulling the ball back from the left-hand byline.

What a chance for Griezmann!

It's terrific play by Llorente, who lifts the ball over Dimarco's head and bursts towards the Inter byline. He cuts it back to Griezmann, who's arriving at pace at the top of the box... but the forward's shot is tame!

It was on his weaker right foot, to be fair to him.

Inter come forward on the left, working it to Calhanoglu. The Turk cuts inside menacingly, in search of space to pull the trigger from the edge of the box.

For a moment he thinks he's found a pocket of space, but Griezmann slides in ever so well to block his strike at source. Fine defensive play from the Frenchman.

Inter start the half on the front foot, before Atlético win it back and launch their first attack of the second 45.

Llorente brings it forward on the right, before aiming a cross towards the box - and aiming it very badly. It flies high and over the crossbar.

Peeep! We're back underway in Spain.

There have indeed been no half-time substitutions.

Almost time to go again

The two teams are emerging from the tunnel and onto the pitch.

Can't see any signs of a half-time change by either side...

Di-maicon

Federico Dimarco has become the first Inter defender to score in a Champions League knockout tie since Brazilian full-back Maicon, who found the net in the semi-finals 14 years ago.

Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring Atlético's goal.

Dortmund leading PSV at Signal Iduna Park

Over in Germany, Dortmund are heading into the quarter-finals as things stand.

Jadon Sancho's early goal has Edin Terzic's men 1-0 up on PSV on the night, and 2-1 up on aggregate.

Follow that game live with my colleague Calum Roche.

Griezmann's UCL goal glut

That Griezmann goal, incidentally, means the Frenchman has now scored in his last four home Champions League games.

Peeep peeep peeep! That's the half. And what a fantastic half it was.

Atlético threw themselves at Inter, before Dimarco's goal threatened to take the wind right out of the hosts' sails. 

It did the opposite, though. Griezmann levelled things up on the night right away, and was a timely Pavard block away from levelling things up on aggregate.

More of the same in the second 45, please! 

There'll be one minute of time added on at the Cívitas Metropolitano.

It's a cliché, but it's true: this first half has flown by.

Looking at the replay of that Griezmann chance, he has clearly deceived Sommer into diving the wrong way. If Pavard hadn't got his foot in the way, that shot was zipping into the far corner.

Crikey, that Inter opener has lit a fire under Atlético in attack.

Los Colchoneros open the away side up once more, Llorente slipping it inside from the right to meet Griezmann's run into the area.

The Frenchman twists and turns, in search of a yard to get a shot away, and finally finds it. His low shot look like it's sent Sommer the wrong way, but Pavard is there in the nick of time to block!

What a frenzied few minutes.

Right after Griezmann's equaliser, Atlético charge back up the field and win a free-kick, which is delivered to the back post. Savic is waiting to head it across goal, but nobody is there to get a touch on it!

From deep on the right, De Paul looks up and tries to zip a bullet of a cross into the danger area, but he can't find a team-mate. It flies behind for a goal-kick.

There's a fine chance for Morata, but he can't get enough power or direction on his header!

Hermoso curls in a lovely cross from the left, arrowing it right onto Morata's head at the back post. The striker rises highest to meet it, but he doesn't do enough to beat Sommer. The Inter goalkeeper grabs hold.

Inter win a free-kick in the left-hand channel, just inside the Atlético half. 

It's an enticing opportunity for Calhanoglu to clip a cross into Los Rojiblancos' box... but his delivery is uncharacteristically poor. It flies over everyone's heads and behind for a goal-kick.

Inter barely got a sniff of the ball for the first quarter of an hour or so, but they're getting their foot on it much more now.

The Italians enjoy a spell of possession just inside the Atlético half, before Barella tries to jink forward into a dangerous area just outside the hosts' box. He's muscled off it, but the visitors look much more at home now.

From the edge of the Inter box, Griezmann attempts a left-footed curler into Sommer's right-hand top corner. He skies his effort, however.

Receiving the ball 30 yards out from the Inter goal, Griezmann tries to slip Llorente into the box.

His pass is cut out, and Inter gallop forward on the counter.

They work it out to the left to Dimarco, who sends a low ball into the box towards Thuram - and, but for Witsel, it would have reached him! A vital interception by the Belgian.

Blimey; Lautaro takes a pot shot from range, and it almost catches Oblak out.

Calhanoglu wins it back in the centre circle, before prodding it to Lautaro, some 40 yards or so out. He tries his luck - and when his shot deflects off Witsel's back, it almost loops over Oblak and into the net. 

The Atlético keeper is there in time to stop it creeping under the bar.

It's been a frantic first 15 minutes, mostly played inside the Inter half.

The visitors are just starting to get a foothold, though.

Back come Atlético, working it right to Morata, who has peeled off into space to send a ball into the box.

He pings a low ball across the face of the Inter goal, but no-one in a red and white shirt is there to connect with it.

Well, they've had almost nothing of the ball so far in Madrid, but Inter create a fine double chance to take the lead there.

When an Atlético attack breaks down, Calhanoglu feeds a quick ball forward to Dumfries, who suddenly has yards and yards of turf to run into.

Dumfries powers into the area and strikes low... but Oblak saves at the near post! The rebound falls right to Dumfries once more, but Oblak saves again!

Inter get a moment of respite and can finally stretch their legs, Thuram leading a break down the right. The Frenchman is quickly dispossessed, though.

Inter have scarcely been able to get out of their half in these first 10 minutes or so.

Atlético win a throw-in on the left, which Hermoso will take. He sends it in high, and after a spot of head tennis, there are shouts for handball by one of Thuram and Lautaro as the pair, who are right next to each other, try to clear the dropping ball.

No penalty.

Atlético really have the bit between their teeth in these opening moments, and Lino carves out the best chance so far!

Darting forward down the left wing, he slips past De Vrij and into shooting space in the box - but Sommer beats out his angled drive!

The home fans respond with roars of approval. 

De Paul delivers the free-kick, which is just inside the Inter half, his ball finding the head of Savic.

Savic gets a firm enough header on it, but he can't test Sommer.

Lautaro is momentarily down and dazed after a Hermoso hoof forward thumps straight into the Inter captain's head. He also handles it in the process of receiving a ball in the face - so, to add insult to injury, he gives away a free-kick.

With the home fans roaring their team on, Atlético start on the front foot.

An Inter clearance is charged down, allowing Griezmann to slip Lino into crossing space on the left. He zips a low ball into the box, but the Nerazzurri backline deals with it.

A moment later, Morata bends a cross into the area, but Llorente can't get his head on it.

Peeeeep! Szymon Marciniak gets us underway!

Ready for kick-off!

Koke and Lautaro Martínez make their way to the centre circle for the coin toss, the upshot of which is that Atlético will get the ball rolling at the Metropolitano.

It's go time.

Here they come!

Out come the teams! It's UCL anthem time...

Almost time to go!

The teams are in the tunnel and waiting to come out at the Metropolitano, where the Atlético fans are making a lorra lorra noise.  Here's a final reminder of the line-ups:

Atlético Madrid:

Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Hermoso; Nahuel, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata

Inter Milan:

Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro

Who's the VAR tonight?

Rounding out an all-Polish team of officials, Tomas Kwiatowski will be the video assistant referee (VAR), and Bartosz Frankowski will be the assistant VAR.

Who's the referee for Atlético vs Inter?

Tonight’s referee will be Poland’s Szymon Marciniak - the man entrusted with last season’s Champions League final.

Marciniak’s assistant referees will be compatriots Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik, and the fourth official will be Pawel Raczkowski, also a Pole.

What is Simeone's home UCL record?

Of his 49 Champions League home games thus far, by the way, Simeone has won 31 and lost just the five.

Only a 32nd victory will do this evening...

Who's on a yellow card?

We have a few players who are one yellow card away from a one-match ban. They are:

Atlético: Lino, Savic, Morata

Inter: Lautaro, Mkhitaryan, Frattesi, Asllani

Closing in on kick-off!

We have 20 minutes to go until kick-off at the Cívitas Metropolitano, where the warm-ups are well underway.

Ooh, I am tingling with anticipation.

SOCCER

Atlético Madrid - Inter Milan: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Champions League

Should you still be wondering how you can watch Atlético vs Inter on TV or online, you may wish to have a shufties at my colleague Fidel Rubio's guide on where you can tune in.

Inter on cusp of history

If Inter win tonight, incidentally, they'll set a new club record for consecutive victories.

As their 14th victory in a row, it would eclipse the historic mark first established by Roberto Mancini's Inter side in the 2007/08 season.

What the coaches said: Inzaghi

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Atlético fans’ fiery welcome for Inter ahead of Champions League clash

My colleague Paul Reidy has taken this video of the red-hot welcome the Atlético Madrid fans gave their players tonight.

Landmark UCL match for Simeone

This is, by the way, Diego Simeone's 50th Champions League home game as Atlético boss.

As I mentioned earlier, he's bidding to lead Los Colchoneros into the last eight for the seventh time since his appointment at the very end of 2011.

In the more than 100 years of club history before Simeone's arrival, Atlético made the quarter-finals of the European Cup/Champions League on five occasions.

What the coaches said: Diego Simeone

When is the UCL quarter-final draw?

Once our last-eight line-up has been confirmed, we won't have long to wait to find out who'll be facing who in the next round.

The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be held at UEFA HQ on Friday 15 March, at 7am ET/4am PT.

You'll be able to follow live-text coverage of the draw right here at AS USA.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Borussia Dortmund - PSV Eindhoven live online: score, stats and updates | Champions League

While one of the two remaining quarter-final berths is to be won in the Spanish capital, the other ticket to the last eight will go to one of Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven.

They meet in Germany tonight, with the tie level at 1-1 after last month's first leg.

You can join my colleague Calum Roche for live-text coverage of the action at Signal Iduna Park.

Which teams are already through to UCL quarter-finals?

Six spots in the Champions League's last eight have already been filled. The teams already in the hat for the quarter-finals are:

Arsenal (ENG)
Barcelona (ESP)
Bayern Munich (GER)
Manchester City (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Real Madrid (ESP)

Home fans prepare pressure-cooker atmosphere

This was the rousing welcome that the Atlético team got as they arrived at the Metrpolitano a little while ago.

Five changes for Inter

Inter make five changes to the team that beat Bologna at the weekend, with Benjamin Pavard, Stefan De Vrij, Denzel Dumfries, Federico Dimarco and Lautaro Martínez all returning to the visitors’ XI. 

They come in for Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, Carlos Augusto and Alexis Sánchez.

Simone Inzaghi has named an almost identical line-up to one that began the first leg three weeks ago. The only difference between the two is his choice of Dumfries over Darmian.

Marko Arnautovic, Inter’s match winner in the opener, is among those unavailable tonight due to injury.

Inter Milan's confirmed line-up

Inter's starting line-up has also dropped. Simone Inzaghi has plumped for: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro.

Griezmann back for Atleti

Key man Antoine Griezmann returns to the Atlético line-up, having been sidelined since the first leg with an ankle sprain.

Stefan Savic and Nahuel Molina also come back into Los Rojiblancos’ team, with Gabriel Paulista, Saúl Ñíguez and Memphis Depay making way.

Atlético Madrid's confirmed line-up

Atlñetico's team is in! Diego Simeone has gone with: Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Hermoso; Nahuel, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata.

Opta give Atlético outside chance of QF place

While Atlético's home form offers cause for optimism that they can turn this tie around, Opta are giving Los Rojiblancos just a one-in-four chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

According to the soccer stats specialists' 'supercomputer', the likelihood of the hosts knocking Inter out stands at a mere 24.1%.

The stage is set...

It's a beautiful evening for some football in Madrid.

"Never stop believing"

"Never stop believing" - that's the message on the front cover of AS ahead of tonight's clash at the Metropolitano.

And, despite Atlético's iffy general form, their home results make for much more encouraging reading. Indeed, Diego Simeone's men have won 18 out of their 20 home games in all competitions this term.

Atleti licking wounds from Cádiz defeat

Atlético, on the other hand, lost 2-0 at lowly Cádiz this weekend. 

Los Colchoneros have now won just twice in their last nine games, and are in a battle for a top-four finish in LaLiga.

Atlético sit fourth as things stand, but have fifth-placed Athletic Club breathing down their necks: the Basques are only two points behind. 

Inter waltzing to Italian title

In their most recent game, Inter beat Bologna 1-0 in Serie A on Saturday, thanks to Yann Bisseck’s first-half goal. 

With 10 games left to play in the Italian top-flight season, the Nerazzurri are 16 points clear and absolutely cruising to the 20th Scudetto in their history.

Inter on impressive winning run

Atlético, then, must come from behind tonight. As I mentioned in my preamble, though, they’re up against a team in fabulous nick.

Runway leaders at the top of Serie A, Inter have won 13 games in a row in all competitions since the start of 2024. 

And their defence is, from an Atleti point of view at least, soul-destroyingly mean: Simone Inzaghi’s men have conceded just three times in their last 11 matches.

What happened in the first leg?

Marko Anautovic's late strike gave Inter a 1-0 win in the first leg in Milan three weeks ago, in the first ever Champions League meeting between the Nerazzurri and Los Rojiblancos.

The Austrian had exasperated the San Siro crowd by missing more than one fine chance to score, but with 10 minutes remaining he made amends for his profligacy, pouncing on a loose ball to drive home from close range.

Atlético vs Inter live online: welcome!

Hello! Just two more spots are up for grabs in the Champions League quarter-finals, and one of those will go to either Atlético Madrid or Inter Milan tonight.

Atleti are bidding to reach the competition's last eight for the seventh time in Diego Simeone's 12-and-a-bit-year reign at the club - but they'll have to turn around a first-leg deficit against an Inter side who are in thoroughly splendid form.

Kick-off in the Spanish capital is at 4pm ET/1pm PT.