Inter Milan, the Italian club that finished as runner-up in the UEFA Champions League, faces Spanish Atlético Madrid today in their first major European test. Inter seeks to erase the memory of its derby loss to city rival Milan in the domestic league, though doubts linger about its ability to handle big matches under new Romanian coach, Christian Chivu. The Italian side, also a 2023 finalist, has a perfect record in the continental competition so far with four victories, giving it a strong chance of a direct spot in the round of 16. However, the trip to Spain represents Inter's first true test of its continental capabilities. Inter's perfect record comes from wins over Ajax Amsterdam, Slavia Prague, Seraing, and the modest Kazakh side FC Kairat Almaty, but a more challenging run of fixtures awaits in the rest of the single-stage group. After facing Atlético, Inter will host Liverpool and Premier League leader Arsenal, before traveling to face Borussia Dortmund in the final, eighth round. Inter collected 16 points in the single-stage group last season, enough to ensure finishing among the top eight, meaning it will likely need four points from these matches to avoid the playoffs. However, its record in big games under Chivu is concerning, as Sunday's loss to Milan (0-1) was the latest in a series of decisive match defeats. Inter has also lost to its Serie A title rivals, holders Napoli, and Juventus this season, with Chivu's side suffering four defeats already in 'Serie A'. Chivu said on Sunday: 'I see my players giving their all in training, and I can't blame them, and I don't want to make excuses. Now we have to rise again'. The absence of Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries, who forms the left flank with Federico Dimarco, is a key element in Inter's attacking width and threat. As for Atlético, despite its losses to Liverpool and Arsenal in the Champions League, it is on a five-match winning streak in all competitions and is just four points behind the leader and its city rival, Real Madrid in La Liga. Argentine Juan Musso kept goal for Atlético in the win over another city rival Getafe (1-0), after first-choice giant goalkeeper Jan Oblak was injured while on international duty with Slovenia. Muso was barely tested, but the absence of Oblak, coupled with a knee injury to Spanish defender Ruben Llorente, could give Inter a chance to edge closer to qualification for the round of 16.
