BERGAMO – Inter won in Bergamo for the first time since April 2008 this afternoon as they destroyed Atalanta by four goals to one. The man in charge that day almost seven years ago? You guessed it: Roberto Mancini.
The Nerazzurri wasted no time getting their foot on the gas, with Guarin winning a penalty in the very first minute of the match. Xherdan Shaqiri stepped up to the plate and coolly slotted home to give his side a very early lead and score his first ever Serie A goal. In fact, it was the fastest goal of the season so far.
To their credit, Atalanta responded well, racking up a slew of corners thanks to their high-pressing game. The hosts had a gilt-edged chance to equalise on 18 minutes, after Zappacosta had sprung the offside trap to hare in behind the Nerazzurri ranks. The Italian squared the ball for the onrushing Pinilla, but the Chilean could only shoot over from no more than a few yards out.
Not to be disheartened, Atalanta continued to threaten and got their reward ten minutes later. Pinilla used his physique well to head on for Maxi Moralez, who controlled expertly to lash a smart shot off the post and in. With both sides looking to attack, the high-octane clash risked bubbling over, with challenges flying in all over the park.
Inter continued to threaten, and eight minutes before half-time it was Fredy Guarin who struck the hammer blow for the Nerazzurri. Picking up the ball midway into the Atalanta half, the Colombian skipped past Carmona before firing home with a magnificent curling effort. It was Guarin’s second goal in as many matches, and one that sent Mancini’s men in at half-time with a deserved 1-2 lead.
The Nerazzurri picked up where they left off after the break, building on their impressive first-half statistics of 67% possession and 80% pass completion. And Atalanta soon found themselves hamstrung after Benaloune picked up two bookings in a matter of seconds. The numerical advantage allowed Brozovic, Medel and Guarin to pull the strings, and it wasn’t long before the Nerazzurri began to run away with things.
Guarin’s performance was turning into something of a personal masterclass and in the 57th minute the Colombian almost bagged an assist, putting it on a plate for Palacio to volley just over. Inter had their third minutes later, however, and it was another Guarin wondergoal that did the damage. The Colombian gathered the ball well in space, spying an opportunity and firing a peach past Sportiello and into the net.
Inter were in complete control, with Shaqiri nearly bagging his second with a pinpoint left-footed effort. Palacio got in on the action in the 73rd minute, with the ever-present Guarin setting him up to fire home for the Nerazzurri’s fourth.
Atalanta were a beaten team and Inter knew it, with the Nerazzurri simply keeping possession as the clock ticked down. The final whistle signalled three points and back-to-back wins for the Nerazzurri, who will be delighted with their performance.
Atalanta 1-4 Inter (HT: 1-2)
Scorers: Shaqiri pen. 2, Moralez 27, Guarin 37, 63, Palacio 73.
ATALANTA: 57 Sportiello; 13 A. Masiello, 2 Stendardo, 29 Benalouane, 6 Bellini; 22 Zappacosta, 21 Cigarini (Emanuelson 75), 17 Carmona, 10 Gomez (Baselli 58); 11 Moralez (Denis 46); 51 Pinilla.
Substitutes: 1 Avramov, 3 Del Grosso, 5 Scaloni, 7 D'Alessandro, 8 Migliaccio, 9 Bianchi, 20 Biava, 95 Grassi, 99 Boakye.
Coach: Stefano Colantuono.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 14 Campagnaro, 23 Ranocchia, 5 Juan Jesus, 21 Santon; 13 Guarin, 18 Medel, 77 Brozovic (Kuzmanovic 82); 91 Shaqiri (Kovacic 68); 11 Podolski, 8 Palacio (Hernanes 76).
Substitutes: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 15 Vidic, 20 Obi, 22 Dodo, 28 Puscas, 54 Donkor.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Booked: Carmona 19, Juan Jesus 20, Moralez 32, Shaqiri 32, Pinilla 44, Benalouane 52.
Sent off: Benalouane 52 (second bookable offence).
Added time: 1 + 2 mins.
Referee: Banti.
Assistents: Crispo, La Rocca.
Fourth official: Stallone.
Additional assistants: Irrati, Pasqua.
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LE PAROLE DI MANCINI POST ATALANTA INTER
