Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi does not know what to expect from Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League match at San Siro.
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi has discussed his Atletico Madrid uncertainty before both sides battle in Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg at San Siro.
The Nerazzurri boss, who was teammates with Atletico boss Diego Simeone in Lazio’s Serie A success in 1999/20, is wary of Los Colchoneros’ adeptness at playing in different ways.
Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid
Both sides face off in one of the enticing ties of the Champions League’s first knockout round, with Inzaghi’s table-topping side in Serie A going head-to-head with Simeone’s men, who may not be leading in LaLiga but are an outsider for a deep continental run.
The Spanish side have impressed in Europe despite the broader domestic inconsistency, with Atletico going unbeaten in the group stage after four wins and two draws, ending atop Group E.
Despite being known for their defensive astuteness for most of Simeone’s time in charge, the Madrid-based club netted 17 times in the competition’s opening six games, with only Manchester City (18) scoring more.
The LaLiga side’s adeptness in switching from defensive football to an attacking approach puts Inzaghi on his guard ahead of a touchline battle with his former Lazio teammate on Tuesday night.
The Inter boss spoke in a press conference before the tie’s first clash in Milan, pointing to the Spanish side’s unpredictable and ever-changing strategies.
“Tomorrow evening, we’ll face an opponent of absolute value, a quality team,” said Inzaghi on Monday.
“In the last few games, Atletico have changed 22-23 players and their level hasn’t dropped. They’re an excellent team, coached very well by Diego, it’ll be a very complicated tie for us, but we’ll play great.”
The teams battle at San Siro on Tuesday to gain an advantage before the reverse fixture at Cívitas Metropolitano on March 13.
