After 31 matches of the Serie A season, Inter are sitting in 3rd place following their match against Atalanta. Earlier on in the season Inter were dominated by Atalanta 4-1 and they were looking for reprise. Earlier on in the week, AC Milan lost to Juventus, Lazio dropped points to Sassuolo so Inter had the chance to extend their gap. Atalanta started to find form in the latter half of the season, proving to be a European force.
Atalanta were missing their star attacker in Zapata due to suspension, which was playing into the hands of Inter. Ultimately the match was a game of two halves, with neither team able to find of the back of the net.
1st Half:
Inter came out of the gates firing, building their attack up from the back and pushing forward. Vecino was the first to get a shot on target, followed by a rapid counter attack. His lob was a perfect shot which was stopped by the Atalanta keeper. The best chance of the half came from the former captain Icardi. The ball was weaved through to him and his shot was fumbled into the keeper. In his defence the ball was bouncing through and was unable to control it. Brozovic was taken of in the 23rd minute due to an injury, bringing on Nainggolan.
The attacking did not stop there; the pressure was continued throughout the half. Politano also had a shot blocked from the keeper. The half ended, and it looked that it wouldn’t be long before Inter got onto the score sheet.
2nd Half
Unlike the first half, the second half was not as pressing. The second half was more of a war of attrition. Neither side looked as if they were going to score. Both team created limited chances and failed to get the divisive goal. The match was over, and the score remained 0-0.
Post-match review
Inter went into this match knowing that they couldn’t have Milan make up any points on them. On the other hand Inter would still have the thoughts of the 4-1 loss in Bergamo would still play on their lines. Overall 1 point is better than what they achieved in the first leg, and it also puts them 5 points clear of 4th place Milan.
In Inter’s next fixture they travel to face Frosinone who are currently sitting in 19th place. Although this may come as a simple fixture Frosinone will face Inter with 2 wins a row. They have defeated Parma (3-2) and most recently Fiorentina (1-0).
Spalletti will need to take this match as one of the most important in the season. 3 points is critical in Inter’s run home. With Lazio and Milan facing each other, Inter is in the position to move further away from 4th place.
The loss of Brozovic will be detrimental if the select field isn’t selected. Nainggolan will be required to step up and push through to the get the win.
