MILAN - Inter got back on track after the international break in the best of ways with a 2-0 win over Atalanta at San Siro thanks to brace from Mauro Icardi (13 goals in 13 matches). The Nerazzurri are now second in the table with 33 points, two behind leaders Napoli.
The first shot on goal for either side was Inter’s. After ten minutes, Gagliardini shot from 25 metres out with the ball going narrowly wide. Five minutes later, Skriniar showed good timing to stop an Atalanta break through Gomez. The Bergamo side were then dangerous through Ilicic and Hateboer who found a way into the box before launching a low shot but Handanovic was alert to stop it in stages. Inter responded in the 25th minute, Borja Valero flicked on a long ball from Skriniar, Icardi controlled it and held off Palomino before looking to find the bottom corner but Berisha made a great save. A minute later, Icardi reached a Candreva cross but wasn’t able to keep the header on target. The match remained very tight and the only other action of note before the break was a great cross from Candreva from the right which went through the Atalanta box without anyone being there to capitalise. The sides therefore went into the break with the score goalless.
Inter headed back out after the interval showing the right attitude and immediately came close to scoring in the 47th minute, although Icardi’s header from a Perisic cross was saved well by Berisha. The Atalanta goalkeeper was unable to act in the same fashion 120 seconds later however, as Candreva swung in a pin-point delivery for the Nerazzurri captain to head home and break the deadlock. In response, Gasperini brought on Petagna for Ilicic, with Gomez then wasting a good chance to equalise in the 59th minute by shooting over from a good position inside the area. Almost instantly paying the price for this costly miss, Icardi then made it two for Inter just one minute later. Latching onto to a fine right-footed cross from D’Ambrosio, the Argentinian attacker made a darting run and fired an accurate header into the bottom corner. Petagna kept battling up front the away side, and forced a good save from Handanovic in the 69th minute. The 84th minute then saw De Roon try his luck, although his effort sailed just over the crossbar. Keeping fresh legs within his side, Spalletti brought on Eder to replace Mauro Icardi for the final few minutes, with the latter understandably receiving a standing ovation from the San Siro crowd. Perisic sought to snatch the spotlight with a super strike in the 91st minute, although his effort sneaked just wide of the post. Orsolini also went close for the opposition, with Handanovic happy to see his effort fly over. The referee finally blew his whistle for full time, with Inter securing a hard-fought 2-0 win over Atalanta in front 52,000 supporters at the Meazza.
They’ll now prepare to face Cagliari away for their next fixture, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday 25th November at 20:45 CET.
INTER 2-0 ATALANTA
Goalscorer: 51' and 60' Icardi
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 25 Miranda, 21 Santon; 11 Vecino, 5 Gagliardini; 87 Candreva (72' 77 Brozovic), 20 B. Valero (83' 10 Joao Mario), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi (90' 23 Eder)
Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 7 Cancelo, 13 Ranocchia, 17 Karamoh, 29 Dalbert, 55 Nagatomo, 99 Pinamonti
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
ATALANTA: 1 Berisha; 3 Toloi (77' 32 Haas), 6 Palomino, 5 Masiello; 33 Hateboer, 15 Cristante, 4 De Roon, 21 Castagne; 72 Ilicic (54' 29 Petagna), 27 Kurtic; 10 Gomez (67' 7 Orsolini)
Substitutes: 91 Gollini, 31 Rossi, 8 Gosens, 9 Cornelius, 20 Vido, 23 Melegoni, 28 Mancini, 88 Schmidt, 95 Bastoni
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini
Bookings: Palomino (A), Kurtic (A)
Added time: 1' + 4'
Referee: Fabbri
Assistants: Alassio, De Meo
Fourth Official: Maresca
VAR Operators: Orsato, Schenone
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