MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 13: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale misses the team's fifth and deciding penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Atlético Madrid and FC Internazionale at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on March 13, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Inter are out of the Champions League after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Atletico Madrid which confirmed the problems they have had for years now from the spot.

The Nerazzurri fumbled a 1-0 first leg lead and lost 2-1 on the night at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Round of 16 tie.

They could only be separated by a penalty shoot-out, the first that Inter had experienced in the European Cup/Champions League for 52 years.

Back then, they beat Celtic on penalties in the 1972 European Cup semi-final.

This time, they capitulated 3-2 on spot-kicks to Atletico Madrid, as Jan Oblak saved from Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klaassen, while Lautaro Martinez fired over the bar.

Those who follow Inter will not be too surprised by this outcome, as they have struggled from the spot for quite some time.

Lautaro Martinez has only converted 17 of his total 27 penalties, including shoot-outs, and missed both for Inter against Lazio in the 2019 Coppa Italia and Atletico Madrid this evening.

Alexis Sanchez has an even worse record on penalties, converting only 16 out of 29 in his career.

This season, Hakan Calhanoglu converted all nine of his penalties for Inter, and was on target to open the shoot-out.

Alexis Sanchez converted two out of two in regular games, but Lautaro Martinez only scored three of his five.

One thought on “Inter struggle with penalties yet again”
  1. Got shown up again when it really counts! No champions league DNA! Crumbled! Many Madrid born players in atleti team! They showed real balls, heart and character! Marciniak didn’t fall for any antics or diving, so it was all downhill from there 😥

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *