The San Siro is the backdrop for a high-stakes Serie A showdown between top-placed Inter Milan and top-four favorite Atalanta. Both teams come into this clash having suffered defeats in their recent games.
Last Sunday, Inter Milan missed a golden opportunity to deny Milan a chance to compete for the Scudetto. In fact, Perves Estupinan’s first-half goal helped the Rossoneri narrowly win 1-0 in the latest edition of the famous McDonald’s Derby, helping Allegri’s team narrow the gap on the Nerazzurri to seven points.
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With just ten games left, Milan take on Lazio in the capital tomorrow night, which is a great opportunity for Inter to take a big step towards winning a 21st Scudetto. Christian Chivu’s side are desperate to fulfill their promise to avoid consecutive league defeats for the first time since mid-September.
Although Atalanta currently sit first in the standings, the task may not be as simple as it first appears. However, the visitors had to exorcise their own demons as they suffered a 6-1 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek.
There is no time to dwell on the past as they sit five points behind fourth-placed Como. Therefore, anything short of an unlikely win at the San Siro would significantly undermine La Dea’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Game preview
Inter Milan
Last weekend, Milan completed their first league double since the 2011/12 season, ending the Nerazzurri’s strong momentum of eight consecutive Serie A wins. Elsewhere, Chivu’s side remain at the San Siro, having won six of their last seven home games in the top flight (one draw), including a high-profile victory over Juventus in mid-February.
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Despite missing captain Lautaro Martinez, Inter are still confident of scoring an impressive 64 goals in Serie A this season. In fact, the runaway leaders have scored in both halves in 10 of their 14 Serie A home games under Chivu. However, they have failed to score in their last two games, meaning they will be naive enough to take things for granted.
Set-pieces are particularly threatening, with Inter Milan having scored a league-high 15 goals from corners this season, thanks in large part to Federico Di Marco’s unparalleled set-piece prowess. The outstanding Italian full-back has provided an eye-popping 15 assists in Serie A so far this season and is likely to be Inter’s main source of creativity as they return to winning ways.
Atlanta
Bayern Munich rioted in Bergamo on Tuesday as Atalanta went on to win its fourth consecutive game in all competitions (D2, L2). What worries Rafael Palladino is that his team have conceded at least two goals in each of those four games, including a 2-1 loss to mid-table Sassuolo in their most recent Serie A away match.
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Palladino must address his side’s growing defensive problems if the visitors are to have a chance at the San Siro. They have failed to beat Inter Milan at the San Siro since March 2014. As if Atalanta’s long-standing problems in this area weren’t troubling enough, they have lost each of their past seven league meetings with the Nerazzurri. As a result, they could go into this game suffering eight consecutive top-flight defeats for the first time since the mid-1960s.
In addition to Palladino’s big concern, Atalanta has been poor on the road recently, winning only three of their past 11 Serie A away games (D4, D4). The Ladds’ misfire at the front was also partially responsible for the team’s poor performance, as they only managed one goal in seven of these 11 games.
Team News
In addition to Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan will also lose midfielder Calhanoglu. Marcus Thuram is likely to partner Francesco Pio Exposito in attack while El Toro is in the pits. In addition, Alessandro Bastoni suffered a minor injury against Milan last weekend and is likely to start on the bench, with Carlos Augusto expected to take his place.
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Atalanta, on the other hand, will go into this trip without Charles De Cotrare and Giacomo Raspadori. Therefore, Gianluca Scamacca is likely to lead the attack, with Nikola Zalewski and Lazar Samardzic expected to play behind the Italian striker. The clash comes too soon for the long-term absentee Ederson, who is on the verge of recovery.
Inter Milan vs Atalanta potential starting lineup
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Summer; Bisek, Akanji, Augusto; Dumfries, Barrera, Zielinski, Susic, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.
Atlanta (3-4-2-1): Caneseki; Scalvini, Jimsti, Ahano; Zappacosta, Drouen, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Skamarca.
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Inter Milan vs Atalanta Prediction
Inter Milan’s long-standing dominance in this game is impossible to ignore, especially considering Atalanta’s recent struggles at both ends of the pitch.
Even without Lautaro, the Nerazzurri have enough firepower and creativity to beat the visitors. Considering Atalanta’s poor recent record at the San Siro and the fragility of their defense in recent weeks, Inter should have the upper hand and be in a position to take all three points in front of their home fans.
