Inter Milan will have to face Atletico Madrid in the first knockout stages of UCL. The Champions League Round of 16 draw has set up one of the most compelling clashes between Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, which will be the one to watch. The draw occurred on Monday and unveiled a series of intriguing matchups for the next round of the European competition.
For the Nerazzurri, the draw proved challenging as they found themselves up against the finalists of the 2014 and 2016 editions. Despite an impressive group stage performance that saw Inter finish second without experiencing defeat, securing three victories and three draws, including two against Real Sociedad, they faced the hurdle of a tough draw due to their runner-up status in the group.
Simone Inzaghi’s men concluded the group stage on the same level as Real Sociedad. But the Spanish side secured a higher standing, due to a superior goal difference. This outcome positioned Inter against one of the other group winners for the Round of 16 draw.
Inter Milan to face Atletico Madrid in the UCL
Among the potential opponents, Inter could have faced any of the other seven group winners since none belonged to Serie A. The final draw paired them with Atletico Madrid. The stage is set for a special encounter for the Argentine manager, Diego Simeone. The Atletico Madrid coach had represented Inter during his playing career. He had two impactful seasons at the San Siro between 1997 and 1999.
The first legs of the Champions League Round of 16 will happen on February 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st. Return fixtures will take place on March 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th. The Nerazzurri will host the initial leg at San Siro before traveling to the Spanish capital for the second leg. Both the teams use a pragmatic style of football so the clash would be exciting.
