MILAN – Inter are up and running in Serie A after Stevan Jovetic curled home a late winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Atalanta at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza tonight.

The evening had begun with rumours of a slight injury for Mauro Icardi in the warm-up, but the Argentina striker made the cut to lead out his team-mates as Inter captain for the night. Roberto Mancini opted for a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Handanovic behind a back-four of Santon, Murillo, Miranda and Juan Jesus. Young Ivorian Gnoukouri took up his place in front of the defence, with Medel and Kondogbia either side of him, while Brozovic provided support to the front pairing of Palacio and Icardi.

The Nerazzurri started well enough, but it was Atalanta who threatened first, with Alejandro Papu Gomez coming close after just two minutes’ play. The Atalanta No. 10 took advantage of some indecision on the part of Gnoukouri to exchange passes with Denis in the area and fire just over the bar.

Inter responded in kind, but although Gnoukouri found Palacio well, the Argentine was unable to guide the ball into the path of strike partner Mauro Icardi. Maurito’s evening was about to be cut short, in fact, as those pre-match injury fears were confirmed and he had to be replaced by Stevan Jovetic after just ten minutes. Gary Medel took on the captain’s armband.

The game fell flat until the 40th minute, when Inter sprang into life, spinning a web of passes around the Atalanta defence to work the ball to Brozovic in a great position. Atalanta had Masiello to thank for preserving their clean sheet on that occasion, as he managed to see the ball behind for a corner. Seconds later, Jovetic found Kondogbia on the edge of the box, but Sportiello somehow managed to keep out the Frenchman’s shot with an outstretched boot.

With Mancini bringing on Hernanes for Gnoukouri at the break, Inter were on the attack just five minutes into the second half as Kondogbia’s piledriver forced Sportiello into a diving save.  On 63 minutes, Juan Jesus found Brozovic deep in the Atalanta box with a pinpoint cross, but the Croatian’s effort was inches wide.

The Nerazzurri received further encouragement on 71 minutes, when Atalanta midfielder Carmona fouled Brozovic to earn himself a second yellow card and an early bath. Barely 60 seconds later, Jovetic came within a whisker of giving Inter the lead, while Palacio had a goal ruled out for offside in the 77th minute.

Rey Manaj came on for his Meazza debut on 84 minutes, prompting Mancini to switch systems to a 4-2-3-1. And it nearly bore fruit five minutes later as Juan Jesus fired in a low cross for Palacio, with only the woodwork denying the Argentine from glory.

Inter were doing their best to batter the Atalanta door down, but it seemed to be slipping away from the Nerazzurri. Then, deep into injury time, Stevan Jovetic collected the ball on the left side of the box, advancing on goal and curling a sumptuous strike past Sportiello and into the gaping net. The Meazza roared. 

Inter 1-0 Atalanta (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Jovetic 90+3.

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon, 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 5 Juan Jesus; 27 Gnoukouri (Hernanes HT), 17 Medel, 7 Kondogbia; 77 Brozovic (Manaj 85); 8 Palacio, 9 Icardi (Jovetic 10).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 6 Andreolli, 14 Montoya, 16 Schelotto, 19 Taider, 23 Ranocchia, 33 D'Ambrosio, 55 Nagatomo, 93 Dimarco.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
 
ATALANTA: 57 Sportiello; 5 Masiello, 2 Stendardo, 33 Cherubin, 93 Dramé; 17 Carmona, 15 De Roon, 27 Kurtic; 10 Gomez (Migliaccio 78), 19 Denis (Pinilla 23), 11 Moralez (D'Alessandro 74).
Subs not used: 30 Bassi, 4 Giorgi, 6 Bellini, 9 Boakye, 20 Estigarribia, 24 Conti, 28 Brivio, 77 Raimondi, 88 Grassi.
Coach: Edoardo Reja.

Booked: Palacio 36, Carmona 66, 71, Pinilla 82, Manaj 90.
Sent off: Carmona 71.
Added time: 2 + 5 minutes.

Referee: Calvarese.
Assistants: Marrazzo, Pegorin.
Fourth official: Gava.
Additional assistants: Giacomelli, Chiffi.

starting lineups

substitutes