A blockbuster match against Inter at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Atlético de Madrid face the European runners-up on Wednesday at 21:00 CEST in Matchday 5 of the Champions League league phase.
A thrilling spectacle is in store this Wednesday at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where Atlético play against Inter at 21:00 CEST in their fifth game of the Champions League league phase.
The current European runners-up come into the game as one of only three teams to have won their first four matches in the competition this season, having beaten Ajax 2-0, Slavia Prague 3-0, Union SG 4-0 and Kairat Almaty 2-1. Historically, however, results against the ‘Nerazzurri’ clearly favour Atlético, who beat Union SG 3-1 in their most recent fixture thanks to goals from Julián Álvarez, Gallagher and Llorente.
For good reason, Atlético fans still vividly remember the thrilling Round of 16 tie between the two sides in 2024, which they won on penalties in the second leg. After losing the first leg 1-0 at the Giuseppe Meazza, goals from Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay overturned the 1-0 lead Inter had in Madrid after 33 minutes, sending the contest to a shootout. There, an immense Oblak saved two penalties and knocked out one of the most in-form teams in Europe at the time.
Another unpleasant memory for the Italian side comes in the form of the 2010 UEFA Super Cup, when the then European champions lost 2-0 to Atlético courtesy of goals from Reyes and Agüero.
And without even needing to go so far back, Atlético have achieved promising results against Inter in the current season. Specifically, a friendly played in Libya last October where they won once again on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. That day, Carlos Martín scored Atlético’s goal and Juan Musso emulated his Slovenian counterpart by saving attempts from Luis Henrique and Francesco Acerbi.
Excitement is therefore at its peak for a match that is always special for Atlético's coach, Diego Pablo Simeone, himself also an Inter legend. Like him, a considerable number of players have worn both shirts at some point in their careers, a path first taken by the iconic Joaquín Peiró in 1964.
