Inter, a real test of Atleti’s progress | OneFootball

After an unstable start to the season, Atlético de Madrid seems to have found its way again. The Wednesday clash against Inter Milan, unbeaten in Europe, will be the test that measures the real growth of the colchoneros.

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The start was worrying: only one victory in the first six games, across all competitions (two defeats and three draws).

But since the end of September — boosted by a Classic won 5-2 over Real Madrid — Atleti has lost only one of its last eleven commitments, precisely to Arsenal in the Champions. They reach the fifth round of the continental tournament on a streak of five victories in all competitions.

On the other side will be Inter, who, alongside Arsenal and Bayern Munich, have won all their games in the Champions League so far. But the nerazzurri arrive at the Metropolitano shaken after losing the Serie A derby to Milan on Sunday.

The fourth defeat in the 2025 Italian Championship is not a disaster — Inter remains three points behind the leader Roma — but it has reignited doubts about Christian Chivu's capability as a coach.

Albiceleste duel in attack

Moreover, Inter's four victories in the Champions were against Ajax, Slavia Prague, Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), and Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan), all among the last nine places in the single group with 32 teams.

Thus, the clash will serve Atlético as a real thermometer of its evolution — and will test the solidity of Inter's project.

In the standings, six points separate Inter, third place and provisionally in the Top 8, from Atlético, 17th, a zone that requires a playoff for a spot.

On the field, one duel draws attention, especially from Argentine fans: Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, competitors for the center forward spot of the Albiceleste in defending the world title, will lead their teams.

The “Spider” has 9 goals and 4 assists in 16 matches this season — numbers almost identical to those of the “Bull”, who has scored 8 goals and 2 assists in 15 games.

But Lautaro's last visit to the Metropolitano, in the round of 16 of the Champions 2023-24, ended badly: he missed the decisive penalty that qualified Atlético.

Griezmann and Thuram as partners

The two only official duels between the clubs were precisely those round of 16 matches: Inter's 1-0 victory in the first leg, in Milan, and Atlético's 2-1 triumph in the return, before the Spanish qualification on penalties.

As a nod to the 2022 World Cup final, both Argentines share their clubs' attack with Frenchmen.

Antoine Griezmann, who has scored 39 goals in the Champions for Atlético, is in great form and scored three of his five goals of the season in November.

Marcus Thuram, recovered from a thigh injury, has not yet found the net since his return, but is expected to be Lautaro's attacking partner on Wednesday.

More than enough ingredients for a great night at the Metropolitano — where neither team would react well to a setback.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.