Atlético Madrid vs Inter

Atlético de Madrid [LWLW], in 17th place, welcome Inter to the Spanish capital in one of the standout fixtures of Matchday 5. They enter their 16th Champions League campaign with their trademark consistency under Diego Simeone. The club has been a permanent fixture in the competition since 2013/14 and comes into this match having lost only once in their last 17 home games in the Champions League. Eleven of those have been victories, including a comfortable 3–1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise on Matchday 4. The most recent meeting between the sides came in the 2023/24 round of 16, where Atlético overturned a first-leg 1–0 deficit by winning 2–1 at home before progressing 3–2 on penalties. Antoine Griezmann was instrumental that night, cancelling out Federico Dimarco’s opener to spark the comeback. That victory is part of a strong home record for Atleti against Italian clubs, with eight wins in their last ten visits from Serie A sides. However, their overall recent return against Inter is more modest, with just three wins in the last nine meetings home and away. With Julián Álvarez thriving – nine goals in his first 13 Champions League appearances for the club – Atleti possesses a renewed attacking edge. The former City forward is expected at the attacking end of the club’s 4—4—2 formation. Antoine Griezmann could team up with the Argentine in attack.

Inter’s form against Spanish opposition has improved dramatically in recent seasons. Their last battles with La Liga clubs came in last year’s extraordinary semi-final against Barcelona, where they survived a 7–6 aggregate thriller to reach the final. The Nerazzurri have lost only once in their last eight Champions League matches against Spanish teams, although their group-stage history tells a different story: just one win in their last 15 league-phase games against Spanish opposition. Inter’s credentials are equally impressive. Following their run to the final last season, they have begun the new campaign flawlessly, winning all four league-phase matches [WWWW]. Their defensive organisation has been exceptional, with 11 clean sheets in their last 13 Champions League outings. In attack, Lautaro Martínez remains devastatingly consistent, scoring 12 goals in his last 11 matches in the competition and netting in each of the first four games this season. He will be looking to lead his side to victory here, having failed to do so in Super Sunday’s 1-0 loss to AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. Marcus Thuram could team up with the Argentine in attack when Cristian Chivu deploys the 3—5—2 setup.