Inter’s Continued Struggles in Champions League After Defeat to Atletico

Inter Milan entered the Metropolitano Stadium still bearing the emotional and physical toll of their recent 1-0 derby loss to AC Milan, and this was evident during their match against Atletico Madrid. Despite arriving with a perfect record in European play and a solid defensive performance, the Serie A side showed a lack of sharpness in critical moments, allowing Atletico to gain momentum in an increasingly frantic contest.

The visitors started brightly, with Federico Dimarco’s early free-kick forcing Atletico’s goalkeeper Juan Musso into action, while another powerful shot narrowly missed the target. For the first 20 minutes, Inter controlled the game’s tempo, yet Atletico remained patient. The breakthrough arrived when an unintentional touch from Alex Baena redirected the ball to Julian Alvarez, who scored his 10th Champions League goal in just 14 appearances.

Inter responded effectively after the halftime break. Nicolo Barella struck the crossbar from close range, and Dimarco was again thwarted by Musso. The pressure eventually paid off when Ange-Yoan Bonny set up Piotr Zielinski, who calmly equalized. At that moment, Inter appeared to be the more likely victors.

However, Atletico’s substitutions, particularly Antoine Griezmann and Marc Pubill, shifted the momentum. Inter’s defense began to retreat, making it increasingly difficult to contain counter-attacks, while their set-piece defending became noticeably unstable. This vulnerability proved costly in the 93rd minute when Gimenez rose above the crowd to score the decisive goal, marking Inter’s second consecutive defeat in all competitions under manager Cristian Chivu.

Chivu did not shy away from acknowledging the shortcomings, asserting that Inter fell short of the required standards in pivotal moments. He noted the team’s improved intensity in the second half but emphasized that it was insufficient to secure a positive result. “In the second half, we responded and executed our attacking game plan, but we weren’t able to defend the lead until the end. This defeat stings; it’s our second in a row. We need to be more aggressive and better understand the flow of the game,” Chivu stated after the match.

He also addressed the lack of impact from his bench, indicating that the substitutions did not replicate Atletico’s energy. Chivu remarked, “We aimed to close the gap in quality against Atletico. While new players were introduced in the second half, they could have contributed more. We’ll analyze every aspect. The derby took a toll on our energy levels, but I cannot fault the players for their effort.”

This defeat underscores a troubling trend for Inter, as their losses this season have primarily come against top-tier opponents, including Milan, Napoli, Juventus, and now Atletico. In each instance, the team generated chances but failed to capitalize during crucial moments. Moreover, they have consistently displayed weaknesses against counter-attacks, with defensive transitions breaking down too easily.

Simeone capitalized on Inter’s hesitations in wide areas, exploited space during late transitions, and dominated the match’s final 15 minutes. Conversely, Inter’s substitutes, typically a strength, did not provide the necessary boost. The stark contrast with Atletico’s bench, which immediately elevated the game’s tempo and aggression, was evident.

Despite the loss, Inter remains in a tightly contested group, level on 12 points with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. Atletico’s victory brings them to nine points, keeping their hopes for advancement alive, though they require flawless performances moving forward. For Inter, while the standings remain manageable, the trends in their performance are increasingly concerning.

The Serie A giants now confront a critical period that will test their resolve. Their next league match is against Pisa on Sunday, where halting the losing streak will be a top priority. Chivu will need fresh legs, a more cohesive structure, and immediate improvements in defensive transitions to prevent further slippage.

Atletico, on the other hand, takes considerable momentum into their La Liga match against Real Oviedo on November 29. Gimenez’s late winner has rekindled the belief that a push for knockout-stage advancement remains within reach, even as the path to success grows narrower.