Atletico stun Inter in dramatic penalty shoot-out

It might not be wrong to say that Italian teams always need help with competing at the European level. However, still no one expected that this season there would not be a single Italian side in the quarter-finals. The 2023/2024 Champions League started quite well for the Italian teams and the four clubs represent Europe's top competition, namely Inter Milan, AC Milan, Napoli and Lazio.

Even Inter Milan deserves to be called one of the favourites they were UCL finalists last season, so, naturally, they will be regrouped again this season. Unfortunately, in the second leg of the round of 16, Inter had to admit defeat in front of Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout. Inter's failure also means that Italy has no club in the UCL this season on Wednesday(13th March 2024), Inter visited Atletico at the Metropolitano to play the second leg of the round of 16 of the 2023/2024 Champions League. Previously, in the first leg, Inter secured a narrow 1-0 victory.

They also took the lead in this match, Federico Dimarco opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. However, Atletico quickly equalized through Antoine Griezmann's action in the 35th minute, Inter seemed satisfied with a 1-1 draw, but they still went through. Unfortunately, this feeling of satisfaction made them careless and conceded in the 87th minute and Atletico scored the second goal through Memphis Depay, scoring 2-1.

Two rounds of extra time were not enough for both teams to score. The match continued into a penalty shootout and Nerazzurri had to admit defeat with a score of 2-3, being eliminated from Europe, Inter's failure means Italy's failure. The reason is, that they are the only team that has a chance of qualifying for the QFs a day before, Napoli was also eliminated after losing to Barcelona. Four Italian teams apparently couldn't do much in the Champions League this season. Their furthest step was in the round of 16, even Inter as finalists had difficulty.

The following is a recap of the Italian team's progress in the Champions League this season:

- AC Milan - Group stage

- Lazio - Round of 16

- Napoli - Round of 16

- Inter Milan - Round of 16

List of teams that have qualified for the top 8 of UCL 2023/2024

The following eight teams are certain to qualify for the top 8 of the 2023/2024 UCL.

- PSG (France)

- Bayern Munich (Germany)

- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

- Manchester City (England)

- Arsenal (England)

- Real Madrid (Spain)

- Barcelona (Spain)

- Atletico Madrid (Spain)