Atletico will take on Inter in the second match of the Champions League 1/8 finals. The Madrid club lost in the first meeting with the score of 0:1. At the same time, the chances of reaching the playoffs remain very high, given Diego Simeone's standard setting for the main European Cup. Besides, this is the last opportunity for Atletico to make the season special.

Simeone's wards have unexpectedly slipped down in the championship. If we look at the last ten matches, Atletico have a very sad statistic: five defeats, elimination from the King's Cup and the risk of not qualifying for the Champions League next year.

In the last round, the club managed to lose to Cadiz, which has not had victories in the Spanish championship since September. Most unpleasantly, the defeat was for business. Atletico did not create chances more than a hopeless outsider.

The team has objective reasons for such a weak game. Firstly, for more than a month now, the club cannot count on the striking combination of Morata and Griezmann. In the first part of the season, it was one of the best in Europe. First Morata got injured, and now Griezmann is in doubt for the match with Inter. The performance of each individually has dropped significantly. Secondly, the coach lacks options for rotation. For example, Barrios and main defender Jose Jimenez, who epitomises the club's defence, are out. Plus, there is no experienced veteran Azpilicueta. He would also come in handy. It is against Inter that Jimenez and Griezmann are expected to return.

Inter at the moment can be considered one of the favourites for the Champions League. The team beats everyone and everywhere. Only in 2024 Inter won all matches, won the Super Cup, almost solved the issue with the title in Italy. After the victory over Bologna, the team one day moved away from second place on eighteen (!) points. At the moment, Inter has the second schedule in the history of Italian championships.

Simone Inzaghi is not afraid of injuries or disqualifications. The team wins in any line-up. For example, in recent meetings, the coach is increasingly utilising many veterans Sanchez and Arnautovic. The Austrian scored for Inter, and Alexis played some great matches in the championship. For example, Milan beat Bologna away in the last round even without Lautaro Martinez.

Inter are very strong, but the Champions League play-offs against Atletico are always special. More fight, a big battle awaits the team. You can remember how the club has knocked out Bayern, Liverpool, Barcelona and put hell on the pitch for Manchester City and Real Madrid in different years. It is doubtful that Inter will pass Atletico very easily. Odds of more than 3.00 are overkill on the hosts in a special encounter.