Former Nerazzurri coach Andrea Stramaccioni feels that Atletico Madrid will be tough for Inter Milan, but not the toughest opponent they could face.
Speaking to Radio Serie A, via FCInterNews, the former Inter coach weighed in on his old team’s draw for the round of sixteen of the Champions League.
Inter will certainly not be underestimating Atletico.
The Colchoneros are among the most consistently formidable teams in Europe under Diego Simeone.
Atletico are well on course for yet another top four finish in La Liga.
And in the Champions League, the Colchoneros topped a tricky group containing Lazio, Feyenoord, and Celtic.
Atletico have reached two Champions League finals with Simeone on the bench. They have also won the Europa League on two occasions.
But at the same time, Inter also know the teams that they avoided in the round of sixteen draw.
The Nerazzurri could have faced any of Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, or Manchester City.
So there could be a sense that Atletico do not represent the most difficult outcome after the Nerazzurri finished second in their group behind Real Sociedad rather than topping it.
Stramaccioni: Atletico Madrid A Tough Side For Inter But Could’ve Been A Worse Draw
Stramaccioni suggested that “Matches against Simeone are always very interesting.”
“Atletico have a way of playing that can definitely cause problems for the Nerazzurri,” the former coach continued.
“But at the same time, it certainly could’ve gone worse for them.”
Inter will take on Atletico in the round of sixteen of the Champions League in February and March of next year.
The first leg of the tie will be at the San Siro on February 20.
Last season, Inter overcame Porto at this stage of the competition.
It was a tough tie that saw the Nerazzurri narrowly prevail by a solitary goal in the first leg.
