Inter, Atalanta beaten 2-0: it's a mini Scudetto escape

Bergamo, March 16, 2025 - Inter takes a mini Scudetto escape. The reigning Italian champions take advantage of the draw Napoli in Venice and win the direct clash in Bergamo against Atalanta, at the end of a tough, intense match, but decided by Inter's experience, who took the lead in the second half first with an imperious run by Carlos Augusto and then, in the end, with a dry right-footed shot Lautaro. Atalanta, on the other hand, did not find the resources it needed, especially Lookman e Retegui, and on top of that she has complicated her own life with the expulsion of Ederson for protests. Inzaghi is three ahead of Conte and six ahead of Gasperini, it will be a peaceful break. 

Balanced first half

Gasperini confirms the pre-match rumours and chooses Pasalic to complete the attack with Lookman and Retegui, while Inzaghi dusts off the Thu-La with Dumfries and Augusto on the wings. The start is immediately at a high pace, as is usual for two attacking teams, with Atalanta accepting defensive one-on-ones and Inter obviously relying on the overflowing physicality of Thuram. The Frenchman had the first chance of the match, with a splendid invention by Lautaro, but the left-footed shot hits the post, then the defense saves in extremis on the rebound. Inter are decidedly better with the vertical plays of Thu-La that often find Hien and Djimsiti out of the woodwork, but the conclusions are shattered by the wall of the Goddess who holds. Atalanta produces a ring in the 18th minute with a cross from De Roon and the aerial turn of Pasalic: kidney stroke of SummerAtalanta increases the pressure in the central phase with a furious counter-attack and Inter begins to suffer, especially on the left side where Lookman gets going and often these are accelerations that are difficult to contain. The visiting Nerazzurri have more difficulty getting into the area and so Lautaro tries from outside: high. However, it remains a match of duels, intensity, second balls and furious battle for every inch of the pitch and the tactics, despite the importance of the challenge, are not perceived. There are no clear occasions, only potential chances, but there is always the feeling that something could happen. Inter tries again in the 40' zone with a right-footed shot Sticks that parades to the side, but risks behind when Lookman escapes to Pavard with a tunnel and then unleashes a right-footed shot from the outside that goes wide. The match is based on a subtle balance between two teams that press each other all over the pitch and whoever manages to take an advantage in transition can find the way to the goal. There are no goals in a pleasant first half, but the idea that there could be some later remains.

Augusto and Lautaro, Inter goes

The second half opens with a long interruption due to an illness in the stands in the away section, just before a Nerazzurri corner. The doctors are awaited before the game can resume and it is precisely on Calhanoglu's corner that Carlos's winning header appears Augusto, who beats Carnesecchi in the 54th minute. Gasp decides to change immediately and chooses The Ketelaere and Ruggeri for Pasalic and Bellanova, with the aim of giving the team more offensive weight. Ederson tries a shot from outside, but comes out strangled and the ball ends up well wide. Gasperini's men try to react, but behind they are more exposed and Calhanoglu, without the cover of Pasalic, finds more space. The right-footed Turk engages Carnesecchi in the 64th minute. The problem for Inzaghi is instead a muscular problem for Dumfries who has to leave space for Bisseck given that there are no midfielders available on the right. Inter, in any case, manages to control the match well, also thanks to Acerbi who limits Retegui very well, while on Lookman there are constant doubling of marking. The guests have a nice jolt in the 72nd minute. First Thuram sets up Barella's right-footed shot blocked by De Roon, then Lautaro scores in a melee but Massa sees a foul by the number ten on Djimsiti and it stays like that. The league leaders begin to break through on the counterattack and especially in the central area there is space, so Gasperini tries to throw in other attackers with the choices Maldini and Samardzic for the final quarter of the game. The new entrant tries a right-footed shot from just inside the area on a service from Lookman, but the ball goes out weak and central in the arms of Sommer. Atalanta hurts itself, Ederson protest with Sponge for a duel with Thuram and gets a yellow card, then sarcastically applauds the referee and the natural consequence is a red card. The last Goddess card is Brescianini, but the match seems compromised with a goal to recover and a man less. Inter wastes the chance for the second, when Thuram frees Augusto with a backheel, then crosses for the only Bisseck who misses the ball in a sensational way. The goal is in the air, it arrives in the 87th minute with Barella who finds it with a precious through ball Lautaro: lightning diagonal and 0-2. Game set and match for Inter who therefore passes to the Gewiss Stadium, leaving Atalanta six points behind and Napoli three. The big match Scudetto goes to Inzaghi, while Gasp, nervous, protests and gets sent off with Inter who wastes the third with Frattesi. In a maxi recovery for the initial interruption there is also the second yellow for Bastoni, who ends up in the shower with seven from the end. Nothing that can change the score of the match. It is a celebration for Inter who goes on the run.