Cholo charges and plays a lot, but will concede spaces. Meanwhile, Inzaghi is looking for a degree among the greats
“Inter is one of the strongest teams in Europe”, Diego Simeone explained yesterday in a conference, continuing the word of mouth that has been linking coaches and observers from the continent for months after the final in Istanbul. Pep Guardiola has been saying it for some time, Thierry Henry, a passionate analyst of the game, has reiterated it with almost surprising emphasis. It’s not that the French have ever been monsters of generosity towards us… «You just need to see how he plays and read his statistics to understand Inter’s strength», Cholo suggested yesterday. He is right. In the top 5 championships, Inzaghi’s team is among the queens in terms of points, victories and goals scored; a record production, accompanied by very high peaks of beauty. All true, but they are numbers and words that must be certified by a stamp: qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals. Because you can’t be among the best in Europe and go out in the round of 16. Tonight Inter plays at the Civitas Metropolitano also for this reason: to obtain recognition of a status, a leap of nobility, access to the G8 for the second consecutive season. A landing that Zhang’s club intends to turn into a habit. He never was.
GREAT INTER
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After the magical four-year period of the Grande Inter 1963-67 (2 Champions Cups, one final, one semi-final), only twice did the Nerazzurri club line up two quarter-finals: 2004-06 and 2009-11. But for the stamp, we need a real Inter night. The penitent habit that Atletico Madrid wears in the championship, 14 points behind Real Madrid, who were also defeated on Saturday by the non-galactic Cadiz, must not deceive. The Champions League is another planet that Materassai inhabit with ease. We were talking about habit. Precisely. Since 2011, i.e. since Cholo’s golden era began, Atletico have played in the Champions League round of 16 8 times (2 finals reached); Inter only three (one final). It’s true that Simeone has already fallen 7 times in La Liga, but it’s also true that Arnautovic’s defeat in the first leg at San Siro was the first in Europe this season. In the Champions League, Simeone has never lost a knockout match at home. Atletico Madrid, called by Cholo to the “match of revenge”, or, more precisely, to a night of glory that can give meaning to the season, is animated by the strength of the desperate and has two powerful weapons: the Civitas Metropolitano and the spirit cholist.
LITTLE DEVIL
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Of the last 32 matches played in their stadium, the Colchoneros have won 29 and lost one. It will mean something and, if there is a coach on earth capable of setting crowds on fire and transforming an arena into hell, it is Cholo Simeone who is also a pyromaniac of souls and will certainly be able to convince his team that he is coming a historic night, where giving everything is the minimum. Pure cholism, corrected with the quality of recent seasons. Griezmann, returning after his injury at San Siro, is the most awaited. The genius of the Little Devil can give light and unpredictability to the maneuver. Morata knows the Italians well, who he has already hurt even in the national team. De Paul and Koke will fuel the intimidating pressing. Samuel Lino will make a quality push on the wing, like at San Siro. But having said all this, it doesn’t mean that Inter should enter the Metropolitano trembling.
STAMP THE BULL?
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In the first leg, he proved to be significantly stronger. Atletico Madrid failed to get a single shot on target and spent the second half with their heads under water, dominated athletically as well as technically. The choice of De Vrij and Dumfries further strengthens the physical opposition of the Nerazzurri who in the 38 matches of the season have kept the door closed 24 times. Simone has everything he needs to resist the flames of hell and even the pitchforks to put the devils to flight. Already at San Siro, Atletico, despite playing a prudent format, had suffered from the Nerazzurri’s counterattacks. Pushed forward by the heat of the comeback, he could suffer even more this evening if Calhanoglu and Bastoni know how to activate the catapult with timing and Dumfries, Dimarco, Barella and Thuram tear up space and depth with the right hunger. Lautaro, who Cholo wanted so much, has the pride to put his stamp on the certificate: Inter great among the greats.
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