Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Atletico Madrid will be aiming to overcome a one-goal deficit in the tie with Inter when the two sides go head to head at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday evening. Antoine Griezmann has overcome his injury and the Frenchman should start up front alongside Alvaro Morata, while all Jose Gimenez, Thomas Lemar, Pablo Barrios, and Cesar Azpilicueta remain in the recovery room.
The Nerazzurri, on the other hand, are on a 13-game winning run in all competitions. As Simone Inzaghi’s men are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in the return leg, we believe that there is a big value in betting on under 2.5 goals. Lautaro Martinez returns to the starting XI after the Argentina ace was rested in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bologna at the weekend, whereas both Marko Arnautovic and Carlos Augusto are sidelined with injuries for the visiting side. You should know that under 2.5 goals have been netted in each of their last three meetings in all competitions.
Highlighted Player (Hakan Calhanoglu):
Hakan Calhanoglu is another one in the long line of Turkish footballers who were born in Germany, so it is hardly surprising he came to prominence thanks to his performances in Bundesliga. The attacking midfielder with great vision and very good goalscoring record started his professional career at Karlsruher, scoring impressive 17 goals in 50 league outings to earn a move to Bundesliga side Hamburg.
The spell at Imtech Arena was merely a stepping stone for bigger things as 11 goals in his debut top flight campaign persuaded Bayer Leverkusen to splash nearly €15 million on his services. That proved a very good investment as Calhanoglu continued the rich vein of form, and it is now a matter of time before he joins one of European powerhouses.
The midfield maestro had a bright start to his career in the Turkey national team, scoring 5 goals in first 16 caps, and chances are he will become a leader for Milli Takim in the foreseeable future.
Highlighted Team (Atletico Madrid):
Atletico Madrid are a Spanish team that plays in Primera Division (La Liga). Los Rojiblancos or los Colchoneros play their home matches at Estadio Vicente Calderon, which holds up to 54,960 spectators. Atletico Madrid have won 10 La Liga titles, but they have yet to lift the European Cup (Champions League) trophy.
Los Rojiblancos have won 10 Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) trophies and it has to be noted that they defeated their bitter local rivals Real Madrid in the 2012/2013 Spanish Cup final. The rivalry between the two capital clubs is pretty big and El Madrileno is regarded as one of the most exciting derbies in the world football.
Atletico Madrid played two Champions League finals under Diego Simeone, but they failed to beat Real Madrid in the title games (2013/2014 and 2015/2016). However, the Argentine tactician helped Atletico Madrid win the La Liga trophy in 2014 and, no doubt, he is one of the most successful coaches in the history of the capital club.