Arnautovic jumped in and saved Inter

It is an advantage for Inter ahead of the round of 16 return against Atlético Madrid in three weeks. The match in Milan ended 1-0 and it was a substitute who became a hero.

Inter pushed for a lead in the first half, but failed to get the ball into the back of the net. At half-time, Marcus Thuram was forced off due to injury and was replaced by Marko Arnautovic.

The sub had a golden chance to break the deadlock just after his sub. Federico Dimarco sent in a cross with precision, but Arnautovic’s finish inside the box went over the bar.

Arnautovic got another chance a quarter into the match’s second act. The Austrian made a turn at midfield, turned to the outside and the attack was on. From there, he combined his way through the entire Atlético Madrid defense. Once inside the penalty area, he shot over the bar again. He was visibly frustrated by the miss.

– What a goal it would have been from Arnautovic, he starts the attack himself, said TV4’s expert commentator Olof Mellberg and added:

– In the end, it’s a bad ending.

With ten minutes left, Arnautovic made it 1-0. It was preceded by Lautaro Martinez swamping a free position and the Austrian sending in the rebound.

– He is there carefully. He has been really alert, said Mellberg.

Arnautovic’s goal was the only one of the match.

– It was a magical day, not just for me but for the whole team. I think we deserve the victory. We had several chances and maybe we could have won with more. But it was also a bit my mistake, because I had two chances that I didn’t manage, says the Austrian to TV4 and continues:

– When we go to Madrid, it will be a different game. We start with 0-0 there. It’s not over yet.

Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak:

– We lost. We made a mistake and they scored. But there is one more match and we have to keep our heads high and prepare for the next match, he tells TV4.

One who did not make a good impression on Olof Mellberg during 90 minutes was the head referee Istvan Kovacs. The former international drew criticism when Kovacs handed out a yellow card with ten minutes remaining.

– He takes the opportunity to be seen a little in the picture, which he wanted in this match, said Mellberg.

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez

Atletico Madrid (3-5-2): Oblak; Gimenez, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Lino; Griezmann, Llorente

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