Atalanta have a huge opportunity to split the Serie A title wide open race and go on level with leaders Inter Milan when they host the Nerazzurri in Bergamo.
A few weeks ago, Atalanta were written off as contenders to stake a Serie A title challenge, following some abject results when they could have taken advantage of slip-ups from Inter Milan and Napoli. Only a week ago the top two teams played out a 1-1 draw, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side only mustered a draw to a struggling Hellas Verona side.
There is a massive argument to be had to position Atalanta as a title contender, given they have failed to capitalise on certain situations. However, Gasperini will have his big shot to split open the Serie A race when Atalanta host Inter Milan, as a win over the Nerazzurri could take La Dea level on points with the champions.
The pressure could be on both these teams as Napoli could take the top spot in their early kick-off on Sunday. However, the pressure will be more on Atalanta to make something in this game, as Gasperini would certainly prefer a win to bring a fresh twist in the race for the Scudetto.
Moreover, Atalanta are in the right form ahead of this clash following their stunning 4-0 reverse win away at Juventus last weekend. Meanwhile, Inter Milan will be satisfied with how their season has progressed. Ideally, Simone Inzaghi would have wanted his team to sit with a comfortable cushion, but things can get intense and rough in the race for the title.
Inter Milan do have European commitments unlike their other two title challengers, and they progressed into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League following a win over Feyenoord at San Siro. An early strike from Marcus Thuram followed by an early second-half penalty proved enough for the Nerazzurri to secure the win as well as progress with a 4-1 aggregate scoreline.
Inter Milan will now face the formidable task of beating Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, although for now, Inzaghi will be focused on matters in the league. The away side would want to head into the international break with their noses in front, although this clash may not be a straightforward one, as Atalanta have the means to cause a big upset as seen last weekend against Juventus.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini will no doubt select his strongest lineup for this top-of-the-table clash against Inter Milan, with the high stakes involved making this a must-win for Atalanta. Injury concerns with the squad are mostly those out for the longer term, with Gianluca Scamacca, Odilon Kossounou and Giorgio Scalvini missing from action.
The Bergamo side will also be without Stefan Posch and Juan Cuadrado for this clash. Considering the players currently available, Gasperini could name the strongest lineup, with a backline of Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien and Sead Kolasinac.
Raoul Bellanova and Davide Zappacosta will be stationed in the wing-back roles, with midfielders Ederson and Marten De Roon squeezed between those wide players. Gasperini will be able to name his potent front three of Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman and Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinacl bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Inter Milan
Visitors Inter Milan are again set to be without left-wing pair Federico Dimarco and Nicola Zalewski against Atalanta, while Matteo Darmian misses out once again with his injury issue.
The only positive news with regards to wing-backs is the return of Carlos Augusto, who has featured in Inter Milan’s last two games and will start on the left-hand side of the pitch, while Denzel Dumfries will take his place on the right wing without the absent Darmian to rotate.
There are some fresh injury concerns with midfielder Piotr Zielinski ruled out until the end of the month, while experienced defender Stefan de Vrij remains a big doubt to feature in this high-profile clash.
Simone Inzaghi had rested a few of his stars like Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella for the midweek UEFA Champions League encounter as well as Lautaro Martinez, with the trio set to return to the Inter Milan starting lineup against Atalanta.
Inzaghi could have his strongest midfield in the middle of the park, with Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan set to feature there. Martinez, who has a fantastic record against Atalanta will reunite with his strike partner up front for Inter Milan.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Thuram, Martinez
Key Stats
- Inter Milan have won their last seven matches against Atalanta in all competitions.
- Inter have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches against Atalanta in all competitions.
- Atalanta have kept a clean sheet in their last five matches in Serie A.
- Atalanta could move level on points with leaders Inter Milan with a win on Sunday.
Player to Watch
Mateo Retegui
It is a game of many battles, and there will be a big focus on the forwards playing for either side. While Lautaro Martinez comes into this fixture with a formidable record against Atalanta, Retegui is the current top scorer in Serie A, and Gian Piero Gasperini will hope he can influence the game in a big way and even add to his tally in the process.
There have been a few wobbles along the way for Atalanta, although heading into this fixture they might be right where Gasperini would have wanted them. In any case, players like Ademola Lookman and Retegui in particular need a big performance to put their team on the map, and bring about a new twist to the Serie A title story this season.
Prediction
Atalanta 2-1 Inter Milan
Inter Milan might be on a good run coming to Bergamo, but they have not been tight at the back, which may prove challenging for Simone Inzaghi ahead of this huge clash against Atalanta. The Nerazzurri have been suspect of leaking in goals, and that might play into Gian Piero Gasperini’s hands as he will like to use the lethal force and clinical nature of his forward players.
Mateo Retegui and Ademola Lookman have shown they can sniff danger to score goals, and that might be the case in this top-of-the-table clash. Atalanta are expected to take all three points while continuing their solid defensive record, although they are not expected to keep a sixth clean sheet in a row. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Gasperini and his charges.
