Champions League: Atletico Madrid vs. Inter, the complete guide | OneFootball

It's Champions League time once again, and Inter are prepared with the confidence of a team who have had a flawless streak in the last four matches of the group stage. In Madrid, while playing Atlético, Cristian Chivu's side will embark on one of the toughest away games of the group stage on Wednesday, 26 November at 21:00 CET, a high-intensity game against an opponent with strength, rhythm, and a dangerous transitional game. For the Nerazzurri, who are on a streak of four wins from four games, it's a test of maturity and consistency, a crucial moment that could significantly alter their European campaign.

PREVIOUS MATCHES

The showdown at the Metropolitano will mark the fourth official meeting between Atlético Madrid and Inter. Their first encounter was back in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup, when the Spanish side won 2-0 in Monaco. Their second and third matches took place in the 2023/24 Champions League Round of 16 as Inter won the first leg at San Siro, while Atlético turned things around in the second leg with a home crowd behind them, and ultimately won on penalties.

Historically, Spanish away games have proven challenging for the Nerazzurri, who have not won in Spain against a Spanish opponent in twelve consecutive European games. Their last win was in the 2004/05 Champions League, a 5-1 win against Valencia. The most recent undefeated result was a 3-3 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of last season's semi-final.

The rivalry between Atletico Madrid and Inter goes beyond official competitions. In 1997, during the Trofeo Villa de Madrid, Atletico beat Inter 1-0 thanks to a goal from Christian Vieri, with the current Atleético coach, Diego Pablo Simeone, playing for Inter at the time. Other historic encounters include two games in 1964: a 2-2 draw in Milano, with comeback goals from Milani and Peirò, and a 4-2 win for Atlético in Italy, despite goals from Gori and Canella for Inter. Another noteworthy game was in 1977, when Atlético won 2-0 in Cádiz.

Among the most memorable moments is Lautaro Martínez’s goal at the Metropolitano in the summer of 2018, during the International Champions Cup. One of the striker’s first goals for Inter was an impressive flying strike from an assist by Kondogbia, giving Inter a 1-0 win over the hosts.

Recently, Inter, led by Cristian Chivu, played Atlético in a friendly at the renovated Benghazi International Stadium. The match ended 1-1 in normal time before Atlético won on penalties.

THE NERAZZURRI’S STATS Inter’s campaign in this Champions League has been flawless: four wins from four matches, an achievement that only Bayern Munich and Arsenal have been able to keep up with. Never in its history has the club started the competition with five consecutive victories, a milestone the Nerazzurri are chasing to add a new record to their European legacy.

Chivu’s team has built its victories thanks to a solid defense: Inter has not conceded from open play in the first four matches, and the only goal allowed, against Kairat, came from a corner. Defensive solidity and reading of the game have been persistent strengths throughout Inter’s European journey so far.

As well as their defensive solidity, their physical strength in aerial duels is incredible: Inter have won the most aerial duels, both in absolute terms, 69, and percentage, an impressive 69% success rate, among all the teams. This stat highlights the squad’s completeness, even in the most physical situations, which is often decisive in Champions League games.

LAUTARO REACHES 50

For Lautaro Martínez, the match against the Madrid side could be a symbolic milestone. If the Inter captain is in the starting XI, he will have reached 50 Champions League appearances from the first minute for the Club, joining a list of legends, including Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, Iván Córdoba, and Julio César. This is an achievement that reflects the crucial role of the number ten in the Club's growth on the European stage. The Nerazzurri captain has also just reached a legendary milestone with the Inter jersey, making 350 appearances across all competitions. As he stepped out onto the pitch against Milan, El Toro wrote a new chapter in his Inter career. His story with Inter first started on 19 August 2018 in Sassuolo, and since then, Lautaro has scored 161 goals, recording an average of 0.46 goals per game, making him the fourth-highest goal scorer in Inter's history.

PIO'S STATISTICS

A true highlight of this Champions League has been the rise of Pio Esposito, one of the brightest young talents of the league stage. Among U21 players, only Lamine Yamal and Esteêvão have contributed to more shots per 90 minutes. With 13 shots and seven chances created in just 274 minutes, Esposito averages 6.6 shot involvements per 90 minutes, a statistic that demonstrates his influence, confidence, and ability to make an impact in a competition that demands both pace and maturity.

THE OPPONENT: ATLETICO MADRID

Diego Simeone's Atletico are one of the toughest sides in European football, especially when at the Metropolitano. The Spanish team have won eleven of their last twelve home games in the Champions League and, since the 2023/24 season, are the team with the most home wins in the competition. This level of performance is what makes Atletico so challenging, as well as their fans cheering them on, and a clear tactical identity.

In the 2025/26 Champions League group stage, the Colchoneros recorded six points from four matches, scoring ten goals and conceding nine. Their campaign began with a 3-2 loss at Liverpool, followed by a 5-1 astounding victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at the Metropolitano. They then lost 4-0 in London to Arsenal before getting back into the game with their 3-1 home win over Union Saint-Gilloise.

Atlético’s attacking form while at home is especially impressive. The five goals against Eintracht and the three against Union Saint-Gilloise highlight their rising attacking performance. The team poses the greatest risk from quick transitions. Forty percent of their goals in this Champions League season have come from counter-attacks, the highest percentage in the tournament. Three of these goals were scored against Union Saint-Gilloise, a testament to a side able to smoothly shift from defense into attack with speed, aggression, and precision.

In La Liga, Atlético are also in great form. With 28 points from 13 matches, 25 goals scored, and 11 conceded, they are in fourth place and hold a current streak of five consecutive wins: 1-0 vs. Osasuna, 2-0 at Betis, 3-0 vs. Sevilla, 3-1 vs. Levante, and 1-0 at Getafe. This run demonstrates their solidity, rhythm, and consistency, an intense and organised team capable of striking clinically in open spaces. This is the Atlético that Inter will face in a high-level European clash.

Simeone's side are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation: Oblak in goal; Molina, Le Normand, Hancko, and Ruggeri in defense; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, and Baena in midfield; and the attacking duo of Alvarez and Griezmann up front.

WHERE TO WATCH ATLETICO MADRID VS. INTER

Atletico Madrid vs. Inter, in the fifth matchday of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage, will take place on Wednesday, 26 November at 21:00 CET. The match will be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video, accessible via the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs and on all mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and consoles.

UPDATES ON INTER TV

As always, Inter TV will provide pre-match updates and live coverage, keeping fans up to date ahead of kick-off. Our pre-match Livematch show for Atletico Madrid vs. Inter will be available from 19:30 CET and can also be watched on YouTube via the club's official channel until 20:15 CET. After the match, there will be post-match analysis and interviews.