HomeNewsFRANTIC FINALE AT SAN SIRO

FRANTIC FINALE AT SAN SIRO

By Ratul Ghosh

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High flying Inter hosted 5th-placed Atalanta, with a victory for the home side taking them 2nd. The visitors meanwhile, could leapfrog their opponents with a win themselves.

Dzeko had the first chance of the match, with a ball dropping from him at an angle before he scuffed his shot wide. The very next attack saw them go ahead. Barella’s cross from the right was volleyed home acrobatically by Martinez to open the scoring.

 

 

Inter were seeing more of the possession but Atalanta were starting to grow into the game as the game crossed 15 minutes. Inzaghi’s defence was not allowing any spaces for the pacy attackers to run into.

De Roon went the closest, his shot from outside the box hitting the side netting. That pressure finally told just before the half-hour mark, with Malinovski hitting a wonderful strike that flew across Handanovic for the leveller.

 

 

La Dea were on the front foot now and the second arrived shortly after. Malinovski’s fierce shot was parried away by Handanovic straight into the path of Toloi who put it in. They ended the half on a high, clearly on top as Inter’s pressing game had just subsided a touch.

 

 

Atalanta were quick off the blocks, Malinovski drawing a save from Handanovic at the near post. The Ukrainian was causing all sorts of problems, his low free kick from the right of the box thumping back off the post. Inter were not giving up either, Vecino’s header forcing Musso into a point blank stop. That was followed by another good chance, with Barella’s cross pushed away straight to Martinez who somehow headed wide.

 

With 20 minutes to go, the hosts finally drew level. Dimarco’s darting run and shot came off the boot of Musso with Dzeko on hand to score this time. That goal galvanized Inter who kept the pressure up now, as Atalanta were being forced back. A sloppy pass from Sanchez allowed Ilicic to have a run whose shot from distance was straight at the Slovenian in goal.

 

 

The game took yet another turn with Dumfries’ cross striking the hand of Demiral who prevented it from reaching Dzeko inside the box. Dimarco stepped up and thumped his kick against the crossbar. That miss fired up Atalanta as Piccoli’s rasping drive from close in escaped the despairing save of Handanovic to crawl home. However, the goal was chalked off after a VAR review as the ball had gone out of play.

 

 

There were chances to win it for either but neither could take them as it finished all square.

 

Here are the three key takeaways from the match:

 

PROFLIGATE INTER DROP POINTS

Inter started off the blocks really hot, pressurizing Atalanta and going forward at every chance. Their lead within five minutes was well deserved and they kept the tempo up for much of the first 30 minutes.

However, the midfield was getting too stretched in attacking every time with La Dea getting into dangerous positions. The equalizer was virtually unstoppable but the second was really poor from the captain.

 

 

Handanovic’s weak save allowed the ball to drop for Toloi who turned the game around. They started the second half sluggishly and were in danger of slipping behind further but weathered the storm. Some clever changes brought them back into the game through Dzeko. But Dimarco’s miss from the spot consigned them to only a draw as they miss the chance to go top.

 

ADVENTUROUS ATALANTA EARN DRAW

After a poor start to the game, Gasperini’s men came back strongly taking the lead through a combination of neat striking and a bit of luck before halftime. They should have scored another in the opening parts of the second half but missed opportunities meant Inter were slowly given the upper hand.

The defence was holding fort but was helpless for the equalizer. Things seemed to get worse as they conceded a penalty but Dimarco’s wild attempt brought a reprieve. La Dea thought they had scored the winner through Piccoli but VAR intervened to keep it at 2-2.

 

OPEN RACE FOR SERIE A

With a poor beginning for Juventus, they are the only team missing from the incredibly tight top five. Milan took a win earlier in the day while Napoli are yet to lose as well.

A share of points at San Siro in this meant Inter leapfrog Napoli with Atalanta remaining fifth. This will be an incredibly close race for the title this time as several teams look like genuine contenders.

Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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