Inter’s remarkable winning streak has come to an end as the league-leaders drew against a high-flying Atalanta side at the Gewiss Stadium. With Inter only one point ahead of Milan, Inzaghi knew that securing all three points was fundamental as an away victory would tighten their on first place. However, Gasperini’s men have displayed strength and unity as they managed to obtain a point against the Nerazzurri, allowing them to strive forward with momentum in the race for a spot within the top four of the Campionato.
Back and Forth First Half
Throughout the opening twenty minutes of the first half, Inter dominated possession as they played through middle in order to attempt stretching the play out-wide and cause gaps in between Atalanta’s defensive shape. However, the Nerazzuri struggled to exit their zone as Gasperini’s men were applying an immense amount of pressure high up the pitch, making it very difficult for Inter to build out of the back.
Despite Pessina and Muriel winning the ball back within the final third of the pitch, Inzaghi’s squad have managed to keep it tight within the back as Bastoni and Skriniar constantly won their duels through their aggressive defensive play.
It was only until the half-hour mark that Gasperini’s men were able to contain Inter within their half as the Nerazzurri began circulating the ball with more urgency and creativity. Hakan Calhanoglu slipped a well weighted pass in between Atalanta’s defence to Alexis Sanchez out-wide on top of the box. Despite the Chilean being all alone, Sanchez failed to capitalize as his venomous shot as Juan Musso made an incredible save to keep La Dea into this vital fixture.
Shortly after, Marcelo Brozovic won the ball in a key area of the pitch and slipped a brilliant pass into space for the veteran striker Edin Dzeko. The 35 year-old talisman was unable to hand Inter the breakthrough against Atalanta.
After failing to take advantage of their opportunities, Gasperini’s men began to find their rhythm as Atalanta were a significant threat through their swift breakouts on the counter attack. Luis Muriel and Pessina performed a brilliant one-two combination within inter’s box that created a gap within the final line of defence. Fortunately for the Nerazzurri, Samir Handanovic anticipated the play and prevented Inzaghi’s men from conceding a goal.
Atalanta continued push forward with the hopes of obtaining the lead against the league leaders as they launched balls out-wide on the flanks in order to attempt causing disruption within Inter’s defensive structure. Towards the closing minutes of the half, Remo Freuler delivered a brilliant cross to Pessina in the centre of the box. The Italian midfielder connected with the ball but his attempt was easily saved by Handanovic, forcing Gasperini’s men to settle with a level scoreline at the end of the first half.
Misfiring Dzeko Leads to Potential Downfall
Gasperini’s men wasted no time as they immediately took control of the fixture shortly after the break. Within the opening munutes of the second half, Pasalic laid the ball off in marvellous fashion to Freuler. The German midfielder struck a malicious shot towards the net, but his audacious strike was miraculously saved by Handanovic.
La Dea kept launching long-range balls into space in order to potentially obtain a breakthrough within this difficult fixture. However, Inter maintained organization within the back-line as the three centre-backs did a phenomenal job at breaking up Atalanta’s build-up plays.
After a rough first ten minutes within the second half, Inter found their groove and began to strive forward with their free-flowing combinations. Bastoni distributed a stunning cross in the box for Edin Dzeko, putting him in a perfect goal-scoring position. However, the marksman failed to convert the cross as his thunderous header was too high. Shortly after, the 35 year-old striker had another opportunity as Nicolo Barella diced a fantastic pass on top of Atalanta’s box. Unfortunately for Inzaghi’s side, Dzeko’s attempt on net was narrowly wide.
With Inter failing to convert numerous chances within the final third of the pitch, Atalanta pushed forward in order to potentially seize an opportunity of putting a dent on the scoreline. Gasperini’s side caused plenty of trouble for Inter as Merih Demiral’s header skimmed the frame of the goal and Pasilic’s header within the six-yard box went out of bounds after being blocked by the Nerazzurri back-line.
Handanovic’s Heroics Seal Point for Inter
Throughout the last ten minutes of this captivating and exhilarating fixture, the skipper Handanovic played a pivotal role in keeping Inzaghi’s men alive within this match-up.
The 39 year-old goalkeeper lunged in a magnificent fashion in order to avoid Muriel’s attempt on goal towards the bottom-right corner from going in the back of the net.
Shortly after, the Nerazzurri captain performed an incredible double save to prevent Pasalic from obtaining a last-gasp goal in Bergamo.
Despite Inzaghi’s efforts to obtain three points from this fixture as he brought on Joaquin Correa, Dumfries, Stefan De Vrij, Auturo Vidal, and Lautaro Martinez within the dying minutes of the game, Inter were contained to a draw against La Dea and were forced to settle for a point in Bergamo.
What’s Next for Atalanta and Inter
Atalanta prepare to face-off in a salivating fixture against Lazio at the historical Stadio Olimpico. Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri are set to host Empoli at the San Siro for an exciting tie within the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia.