Marko Arnautovic overcomes Atleti’s defense as Inter fights for a lead in the first leg.

In a thrilling UEFA Champions League clash, Inter Milan emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The hero of the match was substitute Marko Arnautovic, who scored the only goal that changed the game in Inter’s favor.

The first half was a slow affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, Inter came out much stronger in the second half, and Arnautovic immediately made an impact after coming on as a substitute. He had two great opportunities to score, but unfortunately, he shot over the bar on both occasions.

But the third time proved to be the charm for Arnautovic. In the 79th minute, he capitalized on a midfield mix-up from Atletico Madrid and tucked home the rebound to give Inter the lead. It was a well-deserved victory for last season’s runners-up, although they may feel they should have won by a wider margin.

Atletico Madrid had their own injury concerns, with Alvaro Morata returning from a knee problem but not performing at his best. Antoine Griezmann also had to exit the game due to an apparent injury, which will be a cause for concern for Diego Simeone’s side.

The battle on the touchline between former teammates Simone Inzaghi and Diego Simeone was an intriguing subplot of the match. Simeone’s tactical approach limited Inter’s chances in the first half, but Inzaghi’s introduction of Arnautovic at halftime proved to be a stroke of genius. The Austrian forward’s movement added a much-needed creativity to Inter’s play.

Inzaghi’s adjustments throughout the game, including the addition of new wing-backs, pinned Atletico Madrid back and increased the pressure on them. This ultimately led to the mistake that resulted in Arnautovic’s goal. However, with the tie being two-legged, Inzaghi knows that the war is not yet won.

The player of the match was undoubtedly Marko Arnautovic. While he may have missed some clear opportunities, his presence on the field completely transformed Inter’s attacking threat. His perseverance paid off when he found himself in the right place at the right time to score the winning goal.

Player ratings for the match saw Arnautovic receive a well-deserved 8, highlighting his impact on the game. Inter Milan’s overall performance was solid, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer receiving a 7 rating.

The match highlights included several key moments. Marcus Thuram intercepted a pass and set up Lautaro Martinez, but the Argentine took too long on the ball and his shot was deflected behind. Arnautovic had a couple of missed chances, including a shot that went over the bar and a one-on-one opportunity that he failed to convert. However, he made amends when he tucked home the rebound from Martinez’s shot to secure the victory for Inter Milan.