Inter Milan vs Atalanta BC Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Atalanta will be keen to keep withing touching distance of the fourth spot when they take on Coppa Italia winners Inter Milan at San Siro.

Top four hopefuls Atalanta will travel to Inter Milan, who are still smarting from their successful defence of the Coppa Italia final from Wednesday night.

Simone Inzaghi’s men retained the cup against Fiorentina, securing their second trophy of the campaign. With a top-four finish more or less secured, they can now focus their attention on the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against English heavyweights Manchester City.

The same cannot be said for Atalanta, whose season appeared done and dusted a week ago. However, Juventus’s point deduction sees them primed to challenge AC Milan for the fourth spot. With the riches of the UEFA Champions League on offer, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have a three-point deficit to make up for with two games to go.

With Milan set to take on a hurting Juventus, Atalanta have a shot at beating them to the punch. The goal difference between the two sides is not also much, meaning one loss to either side could pave the road for the other to take advantage.

Inter will be in no mood to do their local rivals any favours and are likely to rotate heavily. Inzaghi has little reason to risk injuries to his star players, especially in a game where Atalanta have much to play for. The Nerazzurri are better off saving their best players for the trip to Istanbul.

The Coppa Italia holders are just four points off the fifth spot and could do with a win in their remaining two games. However, given the exertions against Fiorentina, Inzaghi is better served to rotate his squad. Even with several changes, the home side have momentum and are capable of causing Atalanta problems.

The game would not have been billed as a key clash for the top four mere days ago. The fact that it takes an increased significance today is a testament to the changing nature of top-flight football. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

Inter Milan

A much-rotated Inter side lost to champions Napoli last weekend and still need a win to guarantee a top-four finish. However given their exertions against Fiorentina, Simone Inzaghi is expected to make a few changes.

The home side will continue to be without Milan Skriniar and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, both of whom are out injured. Roberto Gagliardini received his marching orders against Napoli and will be suspended for the game.

Inzaghi has enough players at his disposal to put out a competitive side even while resting some of his best players. However, one constant is his favoured 3-5-2 formation which appears to be standing the test of time.

Andre Onana should return to the starting lineup behind a back three of Danilo D’Ambrosio, Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni. Raoul Bellanova and former Atalanta man Robin Gosens should play as the wing-backs, providing width on the night.

Nicolo Barella should retain his spot in the midfield with Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu alongside him. Inzaghi has opted to play with Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez in the big games, meaning the duo are likely to be rested.

However, Atalanta will get little respite given that Romelu Lukaku is also in form while Joaquin Correa will be keen to stake a claim for a larger role. Should Inter score first, Atalanta will struggle to get back into the clash, pushing forward but leaving themselves wide open at the back.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Onana; D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Bastoni; Bellanova, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Gosens; Correa, Lukaku

Atalanta BC

Gian Piero Gasperini has a long list of injuries and will have to contend without Duvan Zapata, Brandon Soppy, Hans Hateboer, Matteo Ruggeri, and Jose Luis Palomino for the game. Davide Zappacosta is yet to recover from an ankle injury and could yet add to the visitors’ absentee list on the night. It is not all bad news as Jeremie Boga is back in training and could play a role, even if it is off the bench.

Expect Gasperini to stick to his guns and go with his signature 3-4-1-2 formation at the Giuseppe Meazaa. Milan-bound Marco Sportiello should start in goal behind the back three of Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti, and Giorgio Scalvini. Full-backs Davide Zappacosta and Joakim Maehle will provide the width and will be expected to have a pitched battle against their Inter counterparts.

In midfield, the Dutch duo of Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners should act as the double pivot, trying to gain control of the centre of the pitch and dictate the pace of the game. Mario Pasalic will act as the attacking midfielder with Ademola Lookman and Rasmus Hojlund upfront.

Lookman is likely to drop deeper if needed, giving Gasperini the chance to shift to a 3-4-2-1 formation, which should give the visitors more numbers in the midfield. Atalanta’s defence remains a cause for concern and remains something Inter could exploit. With all four Nerazzurri strikers firing, Atalanta cannot afford to let their guard down.

Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Sportiello; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Zappacosta, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Maehle; Pasalic; Lookman, Hojlund

Key Stats

• A win on the night will see Inter Milan do the Serie A double over Atalanta for the first time since the 2014/15 season.
• A loss on the night will see Atalanta lose their 66th game to Inter Milan in Serie A. This will equal their record against Juventus, the team against whom Atalanta have the most league defeats.
• Since 2014/15, Inter Milan is the team against whom Atalanta have failed to break down the most in away games. In fact, they have failed to score in five of the last eight visits to the Giuseppe Meazza.
• Inter Milan have lost 12 games this season, just the fifth time they have managed to lose 12 or more games in Serie A since the 1992/93 campaign.
• Edin Dzeko, has scored nine goals against Atalanta in Serie A, more than he has against any other opponent in the competition, including a brace in the reverse fixture.

Player to Watch

Romelu Lukaku

The game could prove to be the Chelsea loanee’s final home game in an Inter shirt should he return to Stamford Bridge in the summer. The Belgian is enjoying a fine run of form and is once again scoring goals with alarming regularity.

With the Champions League coming up, Lukaku will have two games to prove he starts ahead of Dzeko in Turkey. While Lautaro Martinez’s spot up front is guaranteed, the choice of his striking partner is far from a given. Putting on a performance on the night against Atalanta, will do Lukaku no harm. Possessing the power and skill to trouble defences, he will relish the opportunity to go at Atalanta’s rather porous backline.

Prediction

Inter Milan 2-2 Atalanta

Inter are riding high following their Coppa Italia triumph and in Atalanta face an opponent who could yet grab a top-four spot. With both sides set to reprise their attacking styles, there will be goals on the night. Atalanta’s inconsistency remains a major issue and this could come back to bite them in Milan. The Hard Tackle predicts a scoring draw, largely harming the visitors’ chances of making the top four.