We take a look at tonight’s UEFA Champions League action with Inter Milan facing Atletico Madrid and PSV hosting Borussia Dortmund.
Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid
Two teams with contrasting fortunes in their domestic leagues meet in the last 16 of the Champions League with their sights firmly set on lifting the elusive trophy in May. San Siro will be the host of the tie between Serie A leaders Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.
The hosts were beaten finalists at the hands of Manchester City last year and have enjoyed a great 2023/24 season so far. Inter Milan lead the Scudetto race by nine points ahead of closest rivals Juventus. They demolished bottom club Salernitana 4-0 in the league on Friday, in a statement win that underlined their title credentials. Simone Inzaghi’s men are on a remarkable of eight straight victories in all competitions, and are yet to lose a game since September 27.
The Italian giants will be missing Juan Cuadrado and Francesco Acerbi for the match, although the pair have yet to play any key role this season. Inter will pin their hopes on Lautaro Martinez, who has scored 20 league goals already, and his partner in crime Marcus Thuram who has found the net 10 times in Serie A.
The visitors’ form is a case of concern for coach Diego Simeone who has seen his side fall nine points away from the summit of LaLiga. Although they outclassed Las Palmas 5-0 over the weekend, Atletico have produced cagey and unsatisfying displays away from home. They lost 1-0 to a toothless Sevilla in their latest away fixture and have won only twice in nine away outings. Simeone will take courage from the displays produced by his charges in big games this season, having already eliminated Real Madrid from the Copa Del Rey.
The Spaniards, who went unbeaten in the group stages with four wins and two draws, are waiting on Alvaro Morata’s injury update ahead of this game.
Atletico were 2-0 winners the last time the two met in the UEFA Super Cup in 2010. Atletico are known for their cautious approach while the hosts are defensively resolute, coupled with the threat of their free-scoring forwards. The visitors were the highest scoring team in the group stage games and look likely to continue their scoring spree in San Siro. Inter, on the other hand will surely punch a goal or two at home.
Prediction: Additional Totals (Under 2.5)
PSV Eindhoven vs Borussia Dortmund
Not so many people gave PSV Eindhoven a chance of advancing to the last 16 when the group stages were set. Drawn in a group featuring Arsenal, Sevilla and debutants Racing Lens, the Netherlands outfit punched above their weight class and eventually set up a two-legged last 16 tie against Borussia Dortmund, a European heavyweight.
Peter Bosz has created a monstrous side capable of beating anyone at their home turf in Philips Stadion. PSV have established a 10-point lead at the top of the Eredivise table, collecting 62 points after 22 games. Luuk De Jongh and Bakayoko are the danger men in this PSV side who have sent league records tumbling this season.
The Yellow Submarine prevailed to the last 16 in remarkable fashion, winning a tight Group F which had Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. They won the group in convincing fashion, earning a three-point lead over second placed PSG. Dortmund seem to have lost their early season bite and are currently fourth in the Bundesliga standings. Edin Terzic’s are all but out of the title race as they are 17 points behind log leaders Bayer Leverkusen. A 1-1 draw to VFL Wolfsburg over the weekend further dented the club’s Champions League qualification ambitions, as close rivals RB Leipzig are now a point behind in fifth place.
Dortmund have won four of their previous six games in all competitions while PSV are unbeaten are yet to taste defeat this year. The away are unbeaten in their two fixtures against the Eredivise side. Dortmund were pitted against PSV in the group stages of the 2002/03 season, and won the away fixture 3-1. The game hosted in Germany ended in a 1-1 draw.
Dortmund have kept four clean sheets in six games but that immense defensive will be put to the test in Philips Stadion. PSV’s total of 70 league goals this season is no fluke and should be a cause of concern for Dortmund’s leaky defense. De Jongh and Dortmund’s Niclas Fullkrug may find the net here.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
