In the second session of the 2023/24 European Champions League round of 16 event, several strong teams appeared to appear unconvincing. Arsenal bowed to Porto (1-0) and Barcelona were held to a draw by Napoli (1-0). Elsewhere, last season’s finalists, Inter Milan, seem to be showing signs of becoming a strong contender this season.
Arsenal and Barca are not convincing. Arsenal and Barca appeared to dominate when they visited their opponents’ home ground. However, both teams face different fates, but this could be a stumbling block to qualifying for the next round.
In the second leg, both Arsenal and Barca need to work extra hard to qualify for the last 8 of the Champions League. Visiting the Estadio de Drago, Arsenal came in full strength. At home in Porto, Arsenal appeared to dominate. It was recorded that Arsenal controlled 65 percent of the match.
However, Arsenal were caught off guard in the final minutes. Arsenal’s back line failed to cover Galeno’s sweet and well-directed shot in the 94th minute from outside the penalty box. This single goal made the hosts quite satisfied and became a strong provision when they visited the Emirates Stadium in the second leg.
Arsenal’s fate is also almost exactly the same as Barca. Like Arsenal, Xavi Hernandez’s team controlled the game at the Diego Armando Maradono stadium, Napoli, Italy. However, Barca’s front line failed to convert several golden opportunities to score goals.
The draw seemed to open the door for Napoli. Moreover, this season Barca’s performance is not very stable even though they are competing in front of their own supporters.
This is different from Arsenal, which is quite strong when playing at home. Even though they win, Porto needs to be wary of Arsenal’s ferocity at the Emirates Stadium.
However, with the way Porto locked down Arsenal’s game movements, it is not impossible that Porto would also do the same thing when they visited Arsenal’s headquarters.
Arsenal and Barca’s performance in the first leg was not very convincing. There could be a chance of not qualifying for both teams which are considered strong in a European context if they don’t look at their performance in the first leg.
Inter Milan performed solidly again in the Champions League. Entertaining Atletico Madrid at the San Siro, Inter was able to make Atletico helpless. Inter controlled the game. The 1-0 victory did not secure Inter’s path to advancing to the last 8. The positive side is that Inter is able to handle Atletico’s game which is known to be pragmatic. What’s more, Atletico has already eaten salt in the Champions League.
However, Inter was able to reduce Atletico’s game. Throughout the match, Inter’s back line was able to lock down Atletico Madrid’s effectiveness. On the other hand, Inter were able to get several golden opportunities, but sometimes Inter strikers such as Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram were a bit hasty in executing opportunities in front of Atletico’s goal.
Nevertheless, Inter was able to play a game scenario that made Atletico very helpless. Atletico’s pragmatic style looks dead in front of Inter’s pragmatic style.
With a game pattern like that, it is not impossible that Inter will be able to advance to the last 8. Furthermore, this could be Inter’s second step in creating a second miracle this season.
Last season, Inter surprisingly qualified for the final, but lost 1-0 to Manchester City. In the final, Inter stunned many football fans because they were able to reduce Man City’s dominance, and even complicated Man City’s back line.
Inter’s path to a second miracle is even wider when considering Inter’s solid and organized style of play. If the favorite teams are not alert, Inter could be in the final again.
ASL
