Inter and Atalanta play out exciting goalless draw

BERGAMO – Inter left Bergamo with a hard-earned point, but it certainly could’ve been more after the team spurned a host of chances to claim the victory, as two of the most entertaining sides in the division cancelled each other out.

Football, as we know, is a strange game. When two of the most potent attacking teams in the division do battle, fans would be within their reason to expect a goal fest, but on Sunday evening at the Gewiss Stadium, Inter saw their run of scoring in consecutive games come to an end, as the team failed to find the net in Serie A for the first time since a goalless stalemate with Udinese on 23 January 2021. The final figure stands at 39 after an intense battle with Atalanta. 

Goalkeepers Samir Handanovic and Juan Musso showed what they’re made of, pulling off a string of fine stops at either end. Off the back of the Super Cup success in midweek, Simone Inzaghi’s side were full of energy and focused on getting another positive result, which hinged on navigating their way out of the hosts’ high press. There were second-half chances aplenty, as Edin Dzeko, Arturo Vidal and Danilo D’Ambrosio all could’ve clinched the three points for the Nerazzuri, but it was not to be.

The beautiful game also has a short memory, as after the marvellous victory in midweek, the schedule threw up another key clash with little breathing space and time for celebration in between. Inter travelled to Bergamo to face an Atalanta side aiming high in spite of a depleted squad that forced Gian Piero Gasperini to opt for an unusual back four, rather than a back three, with Berat Djimsiti at right-back.

Inter lined up with Milan Skriniar at the heart of the defence, with Danilo D’Ambrosio on his right in a back three. Alexis Sanchez and Edin Dzeko led the line up front while Nicolo Barella was the left centre-midfielder and Hakan Calhanoglu played in the equivalent position on the right. The two ended up swapping positions during a tough first half in which Atalanta’s relentless pressing game forced Inter back on many occasions. The visitors ended the first half with 64% possession, with Handanovic having 38 touches of the ball, reflecting his regular involvement in passing moves.

As for the chances, Marcelo Brozovic’s cross in the 16th minute was headed wide by Dzeko, while the referee let play continue when Inter won back possession on 26 minutes before Calhanoglu set up Sanchez inside the box. The Chilean’s powerful effort was saved in impressive fashion by Musso. 

The hosts upped the pace as the half wore on, with Luis Muriel looking dangerous and midfielders Matteo Pessina and Mario Pasalic calling Handanovic into action.

The second half was a less cagey affair, while mistakes cropped up with greater frequency and many more chances at both ends. Handanovic did brilliantly to keep Pessina’s low shot out on 49 minutes when he was one-on-one.

Giuseppe Pezzella did spectacularly well to prevent Darmian from tapping home Dzeko’s cross from near the goal line before Dzeko failed to convert a pinpoint cross by Denzel Dumfries.

Substitute Arturo Vidal’s right-footed shot was kept out by the inspired Musso, while Danilo D’Ambrosio spurned a great chance to fire Inter ahead when his shot flew over the bar.

Pasalic saw a header bounce agonisingly wide of the post while Muriel found himself one-on-one with Handanovic after breaking away from Bastoni, only for the shotstopper to make another crucial stop to force a corner.

Inter rallied towards the end and could’ve won it when a sublime Barella flick released D’Ambrosio down the right, only for the defender to shoot into the side netting as Musso rushed out to narrow the angle.

The goalless stalemate sees the Nerazzurri move two points clear at the top of the table. Next up for Inzaghi’s side is a home tie in the Coppa Italia against Empoli on Wednesday evening.

Atalanta 0-0 Inter (HT: 0-0)

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 95 Bastoni (6 De Vrij, 82); 36 Darmian (2 Dumfries, 67), 20 Calhanoglu (22 Vidal, 67), 77 Brozovic, 23 Barella, 14 Perisic (77 Zappacosta, 90); 9 Dzeko (10 Lautaro, 82), 7 Sanchez (19 Correa, 67).Subs not used: 97 Radu, 5 Gagliardini, 8 Vecino, 11 Kolarov, 12 Sensi, 13 Ranocchia, 32 Dimarco.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

ATALANTA (4-3-3): 1 Musso; 19 Djimsiti, 28 Demiral, 6 Palomino, 13 Pezzella; 11 Freuler, 15 De Roon, 7 Koopmeiners; 32 Pessina (59 Miranchuk, 78), 9 Muriel (99 Piccoli, 87), 88 Pasalic.Subs not used: 31 Rossi, 57 Sportiello, 42 Scalvini, 45 Zucconi, 46 Cittadini, 48 Panada.Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Booked: De Roon, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Palomino.Added time: 0+3.

Referee: Massa.Assistants: Lo Cicero, Valeriani.Fourth official: Sacchi.VAR: Di Paolo.Assistant VAR: Giallatini.