In an intense battle to maintain their supremacy in Serie A, Inter Milan is all set to face their regional rivals, Atalanta BC, in a highly anticipated Saturday evening showdown.
Inter Milan aims to secure their fourth consecutive victory in this crucial encounter.
The previous season witnessed both Lombardy clubs engaging in high-scoring encounters, with five goals shared between them in each meeting.
However, this season, they have stood out as some of the best defensive teams in Europe.
Match Preview
Atalanta BC, having suffered three away losses this season, visited Empoli on Monday in pursuit of maximum points.
The events at Stadio Castellani unfolded just as their coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, had hoped.
Their goal is to secure a place in the top four of Serie A, and they are fully aware that defeating struggling teams is essential.
Investing in the proven prowess of Gianluca Scamacca paid off as the ex-Sassuolo striker scored twice, contributing to a resounding 3-0 win.
Atalanta BC has now kept a clean sheet in seven of their first 10 top-flight fixtures.
They currently stand fourth in the standings, just one point ahead of reigning champions Napoli, trailing behind both Milan clubs and Juventus.
While they were held to a draw by Sturm Graz in the Europa League, they are on track to progress from Group D and make it to the knockout rounds.
Their first objective is to replicate last year’s tally of seven victories from their first 11 league games, a feat they haven’t achieved in 60 years. This would serve as a testament to Gasperini’s successful squad rebuild.
Gian Piero Gasperini, also known as ‘Gasp,’ once managed Inter briefly, albeit ineffectively.
His side lost both of their last two league matches against Inter by the same 3-2 scoreline.
However, their recent strong defensive record suggests that conceding three goals this time is less likely.
Including last season’s successes, Inter remains unbeaten in nine Serie A meetings with Atalanta.
A win or a draw this weekend would match their best streak, which was 10 matches between December 1950 and March 1955.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan arrives at the Gewiss Stadium having lost just once this season.
They secured a 1-0 home win over Roma last week, with Marcus Thuram’s late strike making the difference.
Inzaghi’s men have won eight of their first 10 league matches, boasting a remarkable record of 25 goals scored and only five conceded.
Atalanta BC Serie A form: WWDLWW
Atalanta BC form (all competitions): DWLWDW
Inter Milan Serie A form: WLWDWW
Inter Milan form (all competitions): WWDWW
Team News
Atalanta will still be without summer signing El Bilal Toure due to a thigh injury and center-back Jose Luis Palomino, who is dealing with a muscular issue.
Highly-rated defender Giorgio Scalvini is struggling with a back problem, and wing-back Davide Zappacosta has been affected by illness. However, neither has been ruled out of the game.
Linked with a move to Inter during the last transfer window, Gianluca Scamacca instead signed for Atalanta.
After an injury-affected start, he now boasts two braces in just four Serie A starts this season. He could be paired with Ademola Lookman, while Milan loanee Charles De Ketelaere offers Gasperini another option.
On the other hand, Inter is awaiting the returns of Marko Arnautovic (thigh) and Juan Cuadrado (Achilles), both of whom are yet to rejoin full training.
Simone Inzaghi is likely to stick with the same starting lineup that faced Roma, with top scorer Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram leading the attack.
In-form Thuram is one of only five players in Europe’s top five leagues to record at least four goals and four assists this season, alongside Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Ollie Watkins, and Julian Brandt.
Possible Starting Lineups
Atalanta BC:
- Musso;
- Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac;
- Hateboer, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri;
- Koopmeiners; Lookman, Scamacca
Inter Milan:
- Sommer;
- Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni;
- Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco;
- Martinez, Thuram
Prediction
With both Atalanta BC and Inter Milan boasting the most clean sheets in Europe’s top five leagues this season (seven each), the match could turn out to be a tightly contested affair.
However, Inter’s strong attacking lineup should help them break through Atalanta’s solid defense and secure their ninth win in 11 league games.
- Our prediction: Atalanta BC 0-1 Inter Milan