Godin: ‘Inter were underestimated by Atletico Madrid’ | OneFootball

Porongos defender Diego Godin analysed the upcoming Champions League duel between Atletico Madrid and Inter, explaining the ‘pressure cooker’ atmosphere of the match.

The Nerazzurri edged out a key 1-0 win over the Spanish side in their first Round of 16 meeting last month, securing victory after a 79th minute goal from Marko Arnautovic. Simone Inzaghi’s side have not lost in Europe since their Champions League final defeat to Manchester City last season.

Inter already hold a 16-point lead in the Serie A table with 10 games left to play, allowing them to place full focus on their unfinished business in the Champions League. Atletico, on the other hand, sit fourth in La Liga and are fighting with Athletic Club for a top four finish.

Speaking in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Godin first discussed his feelings ahead of Atletico’s clash with Inter.

“I played a year for Inter and nine for Atletico, everyone knows where my heart lies, and let’s say my analysis starts from this assumption. Brief introduction to say that Atletico must isolate this match from the seasonal context.

“If we consider it as part of a year, Inter are superior, they lost two games against Atletico’s 11. Inter are coming off an endless series of victories, Atletico also lost in Cadiz. But Wednesday’s will be another story, many times matches are labeled as finals, and this is truly the case for Atletico.

“If they don’t achieve a comeback, the end of the season will be long and tiring, with the only objective remaining to defend fourth place. Dark perspective.”

He touched on how to isolate this clash from the rest of the season.

“Thinking only about it, and I assure you that the players know how to do that. Atletico cannot afford to broaden their horizon, they must narrow it as much as possible. And then rely on the stadium, on the fans, on their hunger, on their history in the Champions League.

“The Metropolitano will be a pressure cooker, the fans will prepare something special and will transmit faith and warmth to the team in a special way.

“The environmental aspect will be fundamental. And then Atletico have lost only once at home this year, the Metropolitano is an important and differential factor.”

The centre back reflected on the first leg meeting.

“A bit like I expected. Inter are in a great moment. From afar I had the impression that Inzaghi’s team was underestimated in Spain, not by Cholo but by the Atletico world. There were those who thought that Atletico could win, perhaps even with ease, and obviously this is not the case.

“In terms of squad level, Inter are among the best in Europe, they are perfectly balanced and very prepared. They have been working for years on a very clear idea, with a precise system that has been improved over time thanks to targeted and successful signings.

“It was a difficult match for Atletico, Inter took the ball away from them and created chances, they played in a direct and authoritative manner and Atletico were unable to stop their opponent clearly. Inter dominated.”

Godin commented on how Atletico must approach Inter in the second leg.

“Atletico must play the game, and they will try. I’m not talking about dominating the game or chances, but about emotional control, feelings, being more direct, vertical, pressing higher and stealing the ball in key areas in their rivals third to create scoring opportunities. Atletico cannot speculate, they must attack the match.”

He spoke about the Spanish side’s defensive weaknesses this term, compared to his side.

“They are different moments, players and eras, in our time the focus was on efficient and disciplined defensive work by everyone, it was the way to make the goals we scored more profitable.

“The idea was to score a goal and make the most of it: “We score little, but the others don’t score goals against us’. We didn’t think about aesthetics but only about the result. Now everything is very different, starting from the system.

“We always defended as four, from memory, now as five. The team has changed the way they play, the offensive aspect has been improved, with a more striking volume of play and with more goals.

“Atletico today are capable of dominating the ball but suffers defensively and this is an aspect that needs to be improved.”

The Uruguayan centre back then spoke about the Nerazzurri’s strong defence.

“It doesn’t surprise me. Already in my time, with Conte, we started from defensive solidity, Inter were built like this. That season we finished second, one point behind Juve with the best defence and second best attack in Serie A, behind Atalanta.

“Today again Inter has a great defence and spectacular offensive potential with Lautaro and Thuram, as well as mixed midfielders who attack and defend in the same way. They’re a truly complete team and very difficult to beat, they will be very tough for Atletico.”

Finally, Godin discussed which team was more likely to win in the second leg.

“I’d say 50/50. Because playing at home Atletico have a plus where they recover the disadvantage picked up at San Siro, bringing it back to a draw, I believe that this plus on an environmental level can be converted into goals.

“I see the fans as an extra player, an emotional presence that cannot be read or interpreted with normal analytical standards linked to the moment or the season.”