MILAN – Inter Under-19s welcomed last year's runners-up Atalanta to the Centro Sportivo Giacinto Facchetti today for their fourth match of the Primavera championship.
Salvatore Cerrone's young charges took to the field in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Gaby Mudingayi – making his first competitive appearance since January 27 – in a holding role.
Inter were hoping to build on their positive start to the campaign (two wins and a draw) against tabletopping Atalanta but, as expected, the visitors proved to be a stern test. The spoils were shared in the end, with both goals coming midway through the first half.
The Nerazzurri bossed the early stages of the game and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Capello's mazy run was halted by Cavagna's foul and Tassi duly converted from the spot.
Caldara nodded Atalanta level from a free kick just five minutes later however, and the visitors began to gain the upper hand as the first period wore on.
The second half was an open affair with the two sides looking to claim all three points. Despite numerous chances down both ends, the scoreline remained 1-1, although the Inter players had cause to remonstrate at the end of the match after the referee blew for full time just as Eguefi hit the back of the net.
Cerrone's youngsters will resume championship duties next Saturday when they travel to Udinese.
Inter 1-1 Atalanta (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: Tassi 18 (pen), Caldara 23 (A).
Inter: Maniero; Paramatti, Donkor, Yao, Eguelfi; Mudingayi (Knudsen 60), Tassi (C); Camara (Mira 69), Capello, Baldini (Palazzi 79); Colombi.
Unused subs: Ivusic, Longo, Crosato, Pinton, Dalla Riva, Palazzi, Bigotto, Radu, Ventre, Bonazzoli.
Coach: Salvatore Cerrone.
Atalanta: Miori; Messina, Savi, Caldara (C); Tulissi (Marchini 74), Pugliese, Cavagna (Rascaroli 83), Olausson, Barba; Bangal (Pasini 55), Varano.
Unused subs: Mercuri, Zanoni, Kecskes, Morelli, Luynetta, Forgas, Pilenga.
Coach: Valter Bonacina.
Booked: Caldara (A)
Added time: 1+4 minutes.
Referee: Claudio Lanza (Nichelino).
Assistants: Tasardi, Larotonga.
