Inter Milan leads Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff match thanks to a goal from Marko Arnautovic, a super-sub who came off the bench to secure the vital victory.
After three tries, former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic eventually found the goal to give Inter Milan a slim lead against Atletico Madrid in their first-leg Champions League semifinal matchup.
The Austrian, who replaced the injured Marcus Thuram at halftime, missed Inter’s opening opportunity of the second half with his header. Then, on the hour, he played a wall pass with Lautaro Martinez and wasted a fantastic opportunity.
The ball ran to Axel Witsel despite his touch on the Argentine’s return pass to the Austrian. He had only Jan Oblak to beat just outside the six-yard box, but he leaned back and shot over.
He made no mistakes when the third opportunity presented itself. Reinildo Mandava lost control little within his own domain. Martinez made a fast break and fired a goal. While Samuel Lino frantically attempted to scramble his shot away on the goal line, Oblak made a good save, but the ball ran to Arnautovic, who scored again.
Given how well Inter played against Diego Simeone’s team, it was only fair. Even yet, it might not be sufficient against Atletico, who are strong at home and will probably have greater motivation in the second leg.
Both teams played cautiously in the first half, not wanting to give up first. However, Inter quickly began to pose a bigger offensive threat, and they had three opportunities to take the lead. First, Nahuel Molina appeared to be struck by a rebounding cross on the top of his arm, but referee Istvan Kovacs waved play on.
Then, only ten minutes before the half, they had their finest chance when Thuram scored after Rodrigo de Paul made a careless pass and raced forward. Witsel challenged him, but he got up and squared to Martinez, whose shot Mario Hermoso blocked.
Thuram was subsequently set up by Martinez, but Jan Oblak again made the save. After Marcos Llorente dropped the ball, this time the opportunity had presented itself. In Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Atletico lacked the accuracy needed to go the full ninety minutes without conceding.
Only one of Inter’s previous 13 Champions League games had ended in a loss, and that was against Manchester City in the championship game of the previous season.
Due to Thuram’s injury, which prevented him from playing further, both teams were obliged to make a change at halftime. Arnautovic was the replacement for Inter.
Stefan Savic replaced Jose Gimenez as Atletico lost the match, and ten minutes into the second half, Simeone added another striker when Saul was replaced by Alvaro Morata, with Llorente shifting back to midfield.
Inter’s next player on, Denzel Dumfries, appeared to be destined to cross as he got past Atletico’s defense down their left. Savic somehow managed to maintain composure and clear from inside his own six-yard box.
Martinez was the next to have a chance, but Oblak stopped his close-range, glancing header. Atletico were about to collapse, rocking back on their heels. And Arnautovic’s game-winning goal was the one that got them there.
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