On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 21:00 CET, Inter Milan travels to Madrid to face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in a Champions League clash that could define their season. A victory for Inter Milan doesn’t just mean three points—it means automatic qualification for the Round of 16, skipping the playoff gauntlet they barely escaped last year. For Atletico Madrid, it’s a fight for survival. With just six points from four matches, Diego Simeone’s side is staring at elimination unless they turn their home fortress into a fortress of destiny.
Inter’s Perfect Run Faces Its Hardest Test
Inter Milan arrives in Madrid with a perfect 12 points from four matches—tied atop the table with Bayern Munich and Arsenal. They’ve scored 13 goals and conceded just three. But this isn’t just about points. Inter Milan is chasing something no Italian club has ever done: five straight wins in the Champions League group stage. And with manager Cristian Chivu at the helm, they’re playing with a calm, ruthless efficiency.
But the last 72 hours haven’t been easy. Just three days before this match, Inter lost 1-0 to AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. Chivu admitted after the match: "The beauty of football is that there’s always a rematch. We put quality and determination in the derby, clarity and luck were missing. Now we face a difficult Champions League match at Atletico’s home." The defeat didn’t shake their confidence—it sharpened it. "This isn’t about revenge," one source close to the team told Sempre Inter. "It’s about legacy. Five wins. No playoffs. That’s the standard now."
Atletico’s Home Fortress Under Pressure
Atletico Madrid used to be untouchable here. Since the 2023/24 season, they’ve won 11 of their last 12 Champions League home matches. One draw. That’s dominance. But this season? Something’s off. They lost 3-2 to Liverpool FC in September. A 4-0 thrashing by Arsenal FC in October. Even their 3-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise felt like a escape. Now, they sit 20th in the standings. Out of the top 16. Out of automatic qualification.
Diego Simeone’s men aren’t panicking. Not yet. But the pressure is thick. The fans are silent. The Metropolitano, usually a roaring beast, feels like a waiting room. Their probable lineup—Jan Oblak in goal, Griezmann and Alvarez up front, Koke holding midfield—isn’t new. But the urgency is. They’ve scored 10 goals in the group stage, but conceded nine. That’s not Atletico. That’s not Simeone. Something’s broken in the defense. And if they lose here, they’re in real danger of missing the knockout rounds for the first time since 2019.
A Rivalry Rekindled
This is only the fourth time these two giants have met. Their first clash? The 2010 UEFA Super Cup in Monaco. Atletico won 2-0. Their last? The 2023/24 Champions League Round of 16. Inter won the first leg 2-1 in Milan. Atletico answered with a 3-1 home win. And then—penalty shootout. Atletico advanced. That night, Simeone kissed the crest. Chivu, then a player for Romania, watched from afar. Now, he’s the one trying to end Atletico’s dominance.
The stakes? Higher than ever. Inter hasn’t won in Madrid since 2010. Atletico hasn’t lost at home in Europe since April 2024. The history is written. But Wednesday? That’s unwritten. And the crowd? They know it. The players? They feel it.
Lineups, Broadcast, and the Road Ahead
Chivu is expected to make four changes from the derby: Sebastiano Esposito for Marcus Thuram, Piotr Zielinski for Jovic Sucic, Luis Henrique for Carlos Augusto, and Stefan de Vrij for Francesco Acerbi. Inter’s 3-5-2 formation could surprise Simeone’s high press. Meanwhile, Atletico’s lineup remains fluid—multiple sources list different center-back pairings between Giménez, Hancko, and Le Normand. One thing’s certain: Griezmann will lead the line. He’s scored in four of his last five Champions League home games.
The match will be broadcast exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, with commentary by Sandro Piccinini and Massimo Ambrosini—two voices who know the weight of this moment. No free-to-air coverage. No public broadcasts. Just fans in living rooms, in bars, in Milan and Madrid, holding their breath.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Points
If Inter wins, they become the first Italian club to win five consecutive Champions League group stage matches. They’ll be the first team since Bayern in 2020 to qualify for the Round of 16 with a perfect record. More importantly, they’ll avoid the playoff round—a brutal gauntlet that has eliminated giants like Manchester United and Porto in recent years.
If Atletico loses? They’ll need to beat both Liverpool and Arsenal in their final two matches just to have a shot at finishing 16th. And even then, they’d be relying on goal difference. A loss here could end their 11-year streak of reaching the Champions League knockout stages. Simeone’s legacy? On the line.
For Inter, it’s about proving they’re not just a domestic force. For Atletico, it’s about proving they’re still a European force. One team wants to make history. The other wants to avoid a collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if Inter Milan wins this match?
A win for Inter Milan would give them 15 points from five matches, securing automatic qualification for the Champions League Round of 16 and making them the first Italian club to win five consecutive group stage matches in the competition’s history. They’d also join Bayern Munich and Arsenal as the only teams with perfect records after five games.
Why is Atletico Madrid struggling at home this season?
Atletico’s home form has been inconsistent due to defensive lapses—nine goals conceded in four matches, a stark contrast to their usual low-scoring style. Key players like José Giménez and Robin Le Normand have had injury niggles, and the midfield has struggled to control tempo against high-pressing teams like Arsenal and Liverpool. Their 4-0 loss to Arsenal was a wake-up call.
Has Inter Milan ever won in Madrid in the Champions League?
No. Inter Milan has never won a Champions League match in Madrid. Their only previous visit was in 2010, when they lost 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup. Their 2024 Round of 16 win came at San Siro, not the Metropolitano. Wednesday’s match is their first official Champions League fixture at Atletico’s home ground.
How does this match affect Atletico’s chances of reaching the knockout stage?
A loss would leave Atletico with six points and two matches left—against Liverpool and Arsenal. To qualify, they’d need to win both and hope for favorable results elsewhere. Even then, goal difference could be decisive. With 10 goals scored and nine conceded, their defensive record is too leaky to rely on goal difference alone.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For Inter, Lautaro Martínez is the focal point—he’s scored in three of his last four Champions League games. For Atletico, Antoine Griezmann is the only consistent threat, having netted in four of his last five home UCL matches. Midfielders Koke and Nicolò Barella will battle for control, and goalkeepers Oblak and Gregor Kobel could be the difference-makers.
Why is this match being broadcast only on Amazon Prime Video?
UEFA’s current broadcast rights deal grants Amazon Prime Video exclusive streaming rights to select Champions League matches in Italy and Spain. This fixture is one of them, reflecting the growing trend of streaming platforms securing high-stakes European fixtures away from traditional TV networks.
