Inter’s maturity sinks Atalanta in Bergamo

Bentornati, dear Serie A lovers.

We’re back to break down one of the biggest clashes of the weekend, as Inter showcased their dominance with a 2-0 win over Atalanta, securing a three-point lead at the top of the table.

With Napoli struggling and Atalanta now six points adrift of Simone Inzaghi’s side, the Nerazzurri have firmly positioned themselves as title favorites. Could the Triplete dream start feeling more realistic?

Some might argue that Ederson’s red card hindered Atalanta’s chances, but the truth is that for the first 81 minutes, they struggled to trouble Inter. Atalanta registered just 0.64 xG, one of their lowest numbers this season, despite taking 16 shots. That tells us a lot about Inter’s defensive control - they smothered Mateo Retegui, nullified Ademola Lookman, and limited Atalanta’s ability to create clear-cut opportunities.

Now, about that red card - by the book, Ederson’s second yellow was correct. Referees are allowed to caution players for excessive protests, and in the past, such reactions could even result in a straight red.

A special mention goes to Francesco Acerbi, who delivered a defensive masterclass:

✅ 9 clearances

✅ 3 blocked shots

✅ 3 interceptions

✅ 1 tackle

✅ 2 ground duels won

✅ 5 aerial duels won

✅ 63 touches

Simone Inzaghi made an interesting call by starting Benjamin Pavard as the right centre-back, specifically to contain Lookman - a move that proved effective.

On the other side, Gianpiero Gasperini opted for Mario Pasalic over Charles De Ketelaere. Unlike De Ketelaere, Pasalic isn’t as attack-minded, and his role was mainly to mark Hakan Calhanoglu.

On the other side, Gianpiero Gasperini opted for Mario Pasalic over Charles De Ketelaere. Unlike De Ketelaere, Pasalic isn’t as attack-minded, and his role was mainly to mark Hakan Calhanoglu. However, this tactical approach left Alessandro Bastoni relatively unmarked during Inter’s build-up—a questionable decision given Bastoni’s excellent ball progression skills (he completed six passes into the final third and had a 73% accuracy on long balls).

One of the most notable patterns in this match was Inter’s use of their strikers. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram played in close proximity, using a coordinated movement:

➡️ One striker drops deep

➡️ The other runs into space

This movement caused Atalanta’s high man-marking press to become disjointed. When one Inter striker dropped, it forced an Atalanta defender to step up, leaving dangerous gaps behind.

Crucially, because Inter’s players were arriving from behind Atalanta’s defenders, they were able to receive the ball with a small window of space before being challenged. Even though they didn’t score from open play, this positional superiority allowed Inter to dictate attacking sequences efficiently.

As Atalanta pushed forward, they started gaining more territory and possession, but Yann Sommer was rarely tested - aside from a Mario Pasalic header. The introduction of De Ketelaere in the second half gave Atalanta some hope, but Ederson’s dismissal ended any real chance of a comeback.

Let’s break down Inter’s opening goal from a corner-kick—a perfect example of well-drilled set-piece tactics.

📌 Hakan Calhanoglu delivered an outswinging cross.

📌 Inter players positioned themselves inside the six-yard box, rather than inside the goalkeeper’s area.

📌 Carlos Augusto, the eventual goalscorer, started from the furthest position and made a perfectly timed run to lose his marker.

Atalanta used a mixed marking system, meaning some players were defending zonally while others tracked individual opponents. They placed four players in front of the goalkeeper, but Augusto’s movement caught them off guard, allowing him a clean finish.

Inter might not be in their best form, but they are managing their workload across three competitions while still getting results. Atalanta and Napoli still have time to make a push, but with Inter’s consistency, it’s looking more and more like their Scudetto to lose.

What do you think?

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ALLA PROSSIMA!