TOPS
On the substitutes’ bench at kick-off, Memphis Depay was the providential man in the Colchoneros’ victory against Inter (2-1, 3-2 after tab) on Wednesday in the round of 16 of the Champions League. The Morata-Griezmann doublet not having given full satisfaction, Diego Simeone decided to bring in his joker in place of the Spanish striker, and everything changed. Barely back, he had several good opportunities, increasingly dangerous, just to adjust his sights. Warned, Inter did not hold the Dutchman any better. What had to happen happened, in the 87th minute, he took the ball to his right foot and delivered a real blow to the Nerazzurri. Enough to reverse the destiny of this double confrontation, to the greatest pleasure of the Rojiblancos.
For 120 minutes, Jan Oblak succeeded in the job he had to do and allowed the help of his defense to keep Atlético alive. But once we reached the penalty shootout, the serious things began. After receiving Calhanoglu’s powerful strike, the Slovenian goalkeeper no longer had a choice, Atlético needed him. Alexis Sanchez rushed forward and attempted a mid-range shot, halfway between a panenka and an instep. The colchonero goalkeeper dived, but let his foot drag. The first stop of the session is made, Oblak is launched. After Sommer answered him, everything had to be redone. No problem for him, same side, same result, Klassen failed, Spanish advantage. On the final attempt, number 13 did not even have to deploy, frightened by the exploits of his opponent, Lautaro Martinez succumbed to the pressure and sent his ball over, and the Madrilenians into the quarters.
FLOPS
Too bad it’s not the French team. This Wednesday evening, the two friends in the selection were opponents, but that did not prevent Benjamin Pavard from having a little attention for his friend. Inter had just made the break in both confrontations through Dimarco (32nd), but two short minutes later, the former Bayern player revived the Rojiblancos. In front of the mass of Nerazzurri defenders, Koke attempted an innocuous pass at first glance for the top scorer in Atlético history. Pavard took the lead and was responsible for clearing the ball, except that by missing his restart, he put Griezmann in a scoring position. The number 7 did not need to be asked, and he beat Yann Sommer with his left foot to equalize. The Madrilenians have been revived. The start of the nightmare for Inter.
Milan suffered in the second half under pressure from Simeone’s men. At the end of his right foot, Thuram had the key to solving all of his team’s problems, but he missed the lock. At 1-1, Inter had the opportunity to kill the double confrontation. Lautaro Martinez negotiated his ball well and was able to launch Lilian Thuram’s son in depth. The French international grabbed it and headed straight towards the red and white cage. In front of Jan Oblak, the pressure was too strong, and ‘Tikus’ missed his face-to-face by hitting well above the goal. It was arguably the qualifying ball for the Serie A leaders: less than ten minutes later, Depay sent both teams into extra time. The rest is known.