BERGAMO – Inter slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Atalanta on Sunday afternoon as goals from Masiello and Pinilla handed the home side all three points.
The Nerazzurri looked to have fought back from Masiello’s early goal as Eder fired home a stunning free kick minutes into the second half, but Pinilla scored from the penalty spot in the closing stages to secure the win for Atalanta.
The home side started the better, Drame and Gomez supplying dangerous crosses from the left in the opening exchanges, but the Inter defence stood firm.
Atalanta were in the ascendency, however, and they found the breakthrough in the 10th minute. Freuler swung in a corner from the right, Kurtic getting up to help it over to the back post where the onrushing Masiello could simply nod home for 1-0.
Inter looked to respond through Perisic, who did well to reach the byline on the right-hand side only for his cut back to evade all those in white shirts.
Yet Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were in confident mood after the early goal, and they came close to doubling their lead before half time as Toloi’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection and forced Handanovic into a fine diving save.
Inter looked a different side after the break, creating a couple of half chances in the opening minutes without threatening the Atalanta goal.
The Nerazzurri’s equaliser arrived in the 50th minute, and it was certainly a goal to remember as Eder thundered home a stunning free kick from around 35 yards out. It was the Italian international’s 50th goal in Serie A.
The momentum was now very much with Frank de Boer’s men, with the Inter coach sending on Ansaldi and Kondogbia in place of Nagatomo and Brozovic.
As Inter pushed forward, so Atalanta enjoyed a series of half chances, but the Nerazzurri backline defended admirably – most notably an inch-perfect sliding tackle from Jeison Murillo on Pinilla.
Down the other end, Perisic very nearly made it 2-1 to the Nerazzurri as his volleyed effort was somehow repelled by Berisha, then on 85 minutes the Atalanta goalkeeper had lady luck to thank as Joao Mario’s low shot was deflected straight into his outstretched arms.
Yet there was to be a sting in the tail for Inter, as Atalanta were awarded a late penalty following a clumsy challenge from Santon on Kessie. Pinilla stepped up and, despite Handanovic getting a hand to his effort, made it 2-1 to Atalanta.
There was one last chance for Inter, Icardi prodding the ball into the net after Berisha had dropped it, but the referee ruled that the Atalanta goalkeeper had been fouled. The final whistle came soon afterwards.
ATALANTA 2-1 INTER (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Masiello 10, Eder 50, Pinilla pen. 87.
ATALANTA: 1 Berisha; 5 Masiello, 3 Toloi (Konko 45+1), 13 Caldara; 24 Conti, 19 Kessie, 11 Freuler, 93 Drame; 27 Kurtic, 29 Petagna (Pinilla 63), 10 Gomez (Gagliardini 80).
Subs not used: 57 Sportiello, 6 Zukanovic, 7 D'Alessandro, 8 Migliaccio, 37 Spinazzola, 43 Paloschi, 52 Cabezas, 77 Raimondi, 88 Grassi.
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 55 Nagatomo (Ansaldi 61), 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 21 Santon; 6 Joao Mario, 17 Medel, 77 Brozovic (Kondogbia 62); 44 Perisic, 9 Icardi, 23 Eder (Candreva 75).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 8 Palacio, 10 Jovetic, 13 Ranocchia, 19 Banega, 27 Gnoukouri, 33 D'Ambrosio, 94 Yao, 96 Barbosa.
Coach: Frank de Boer.
Yellow cards: Eder 60.
Added time: 2 + 4 minutes.
Referee: Doveri.
Assistants: Giallatini, Dobosz.
Fourth official: Tasso.
Additional assistants: Orsato, Manganiello.
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