Defending Serie A champions Inter dismantled a new-look Atalanta side 4-0 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Friday night. Simone Inzaghi’s free-flowing team displayed mighty football to maintain their unbeaten league start (W2, D1).
Berat Djimsiti’s unfortunate own goal after only three minutes was the beginning of Atalanta’s undoing in this mini-Lombard derby. Inter doubled their lead with ten minutes on the clock as Nicolo Barella pounced on Benjamin Pavard’s assist to open his season account.
Inter took a two-goal advantage into the break. However, they refused to take their feet off the gas after halftime. The Nerazzurri came flying out of the traps in the second half, with Marcus Thuram bagging his third goal of the season to put the game to bed.
The French forward added to his ever-growing tally only nine minutes later with his second on the night. Though there was over half an hour left to play, neither side got on the scoresheet. Inter closed the match with relative ease, condemning Atalanta to their second loss of the 2023/24 campaign.
Let’s look at our player ratings.
Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 6
After a shaky performance against Genoa on day one, the Swiss veteran preserved back-to-back clean sheets. But it’s worth noting he only had to make one save.
Benjamin Pavard – 7
He was brilliant tonight. In addition to providing an assist, the former Bayern Munich defender fared tremendously well against Lazar Samardzic at the back.
Francesco Acerbi – 7.5
Despite his age, the Italian center-back made light work of free-firing Mateo Retegui, beating him in almost every one-on-one duel on the ground and the air.
Alessandro Bastoni – 7
Another classy performance from the Inter stalwart! He barely put his foot wrong tonight. Equally impressive on both ends of the field.
Federico Dimarco – 7
Though his crosses and decision-making let him down on several occasions, the offensive-minded full-back was up to the task again.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6
Perhaps it’s time for Davide Frattesi or Piotr Zielinski to take the Armenian’s place in the starting XI. Inter’s worst-performing midfielder tonight.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7
Unlike his abovementioned colleague, the Turkish superstar delivered another reassuring performance, dictating the game’s pace with his pinpoint passing and
Nicolo Barella – 7.5
The goal was the fitting reward for another electrifying showing from the diminutive midfielder. He was everywhere!
Matteo Darmian – 6
Inzaghi can’t complain about the aging right-back’s defensive contribution, but his attacking presence was nothing short of disappointing.
Lautaro Martinez – 6
His availability was in the balance before the kick-off, and it seems a lack of match fitness took its toll on the Inter captain as he failed to do anything noteworthy.
Marcus Thuram – 8
In stark contrast to Martinez’s underwhelming display, the in-form Frenchman brought his A-game to the table, running the show at Meazza.
Substitutions
Carlos Augusto – 6
Kristjan Asllani – 6.5
Davide Frattesi – 5.5
Mehdi Taremi – 5.5
Marko Arnautovic – N/A
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Marko Vrakela did you watched the game? You gave Mkhitaryan 6 rating and “worst-performing midfielder tonight”. Just for your information: Inter’s first goal, after Mkhitaryan’s good pass Turan did cross and it turned own goal, Turam’s second goal was assisted by Mkhitaryan. So, Mkhitaryan was part of 2 goals. In addition, at the end of the game he was one of 3 players for man of the match award (Turam, Barrella, Mkhitaryan) Watch the game carefully or do not wright articles.