Atalanta 0-2 Inter Player Ratings: Carlos Augusto and Lautaro Martinez Help Inter Make a Title Statement Against Atalanta

Inter made a title statement with a 2-0 victory against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium. In a game where defences dominated, Carlos Augusto, the left wing-back, scored a towering header to settle the contest and Lautaro Martinez added one to seal the result. Ederson and Alessandro Bastoni were sent off late in the game due to receiving 2nd yellow cards. Both sides finished with only 10 on the pitch.

Atalanta entered the game on a high after thumping Juventus 4-0 in the league. Mario Pasalic came into the lineup ahead of Juan Cuadrado in the only change to the team.

Simone Inzaghi named his best lineup after chopping and changing midweek in the Champions League. The defending champions had to be at their best to stand a chance of defending their crown in a six-pointer at the top end of the table.

The game was never going to be high-scoring as two of the best defences went head to head. Atalanta were breached 26 times and Inter Milan conceded one more than their opponents. But Marcus Thuram took matters into his own hands as he let an effort fly from 30 yards in the third minute. Lautaro Martinez released Thuram just minutes later and the French man hit the inside of the post. On the follow-up, Marco Carnesechhi bravely blocked an effort from Martinez.

Atalanta grew into the game and Ademola Lookman was their talisman. He created a couple of chances. However, in the 19th minute, Pasalic sent a flying header that needed some saving from Yann Sommer.

Inter’s strike pair were engaged in an entertaining battle with Atalanta’s strong central defenders. There were half-chances here and there for either side but largely it was Atalanta playing safe and Inter going for the kill. Lookman’s curler on the break was another close opportunity that went away for the hosts. Thuram has the ball glued to his feet in the 45th minute as he danced into Atalanta’s box. He couldn’t deliver the right pass to give his side a half-time lead to cherish.

There were no changes in the halftime break as both coaches put faith in their players. A medical emergency in the crowd caused a delay in the play as the ground staff managed to get medical help for a fan in the stands. Shortly after the delay, Inter caught their opponents out.

In the 54th minute, Hakan Calhanoglu swung in a corner following the resumption of play. Carlos Augusto was unmarked in the box and planted a header into the bottom corner to score a massive goal in the title race. The goal prompted changes from Atalanta as the hosts could no longer play defensively.

Mateo Retegui, the league’s leading goal scorer with 22 efforts to his name, was silenced by Inter’s defence. Alessandro Bastoni in particular took charge of the striker. A change in the system saw Atalanta pin Inter back entering the final quarter of the game. Inter then took the role of playing on the break.

A difficult task became impossible when Atalanta’s Ederson received a second yellow card for mocking the referee’s decision to award a goal kick. The Brazilian received his marching orders with 10 minutes left as Inter believed they were closer to the finish line.

Nicolo Barella slipped Martinez in to wrap up the game in the 87th minute. The Argentine striker collected the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and thumped it past the keeper into the inside side netting to seal the result. It also made sure that they stretched their unbeaten run against Atalanta to 15. Bastoni too received an unnecessary second yellow card to be sent off.

Inter Milan reclaimed the top spot in the Serie A table. They put some breathing space between them and Atalanta and increased the gap between them to 6 points. The night was even sweeter as rivals Napoli too dropped points to Venezia. They continue their league journey by hosting Udinese after the international break.

Atalanta couldn’t capitalise on their momentum after beating Juventus. Their hopes of winning a first Scudetto are fading away slowly. The game was billed as the biggest league game in the club’s history. Perhaps they crumbled under the weight of that tag. They visit Florence for a game against Fiorentina in the league next.

Atalanta Player Ratings

Gk – Marco Carnesechhi – 7/10

Was beaten by Thuram’s shot but the post came to his rescue. Threw himself bravely to block the follow-up. Couldn’t do anything for the two goals conceded but he did deny Frattesi late in the game.

CB – Berat Djimsiti – 6.5/10

Offered himself as the outlet on the flank and often tried to join Bellanova on the attack. The intensity faded away in the second half.

CB – Isak Hien – 6.5/10

He followed Inter’s striker deep into their half to pinch the ball away. Was holding a high line and playing risky passes.

CB – Sead Kolasinac – 6.5/10

Used his physicality to outmuscle Thuram once or twice. The Bosnian was also a constant threat at set pieces. Went forward multiple times but couldn’t produce anything tangible.

RWB – Raaoul Bellanova – 6/10

He had the freedom to attack the box and nearly got on the end of a Lookman cross. His passing was hit-and-miss at times. Was replaced on the hour mark against his ex-side.

CM – Marten de Roon – 6/10

Played a lovely cross from the left half-space to showcase his ball-playing skills. In the second half, he saw a lot of ball but there wasn’t much creativity on show.

CM – Ederson – 4.5/10

Made some gritty challenges and kickstarted multiple moves. He was looking to cause chaos with his long shots as well. He saw a second yellow card for an amateur mistake of mocking the referee. It cost his side a late comeback opportunity.

LWB – Davide Zappacosta – 6/10

The wing-back enjoyed linking up with Kolasinac who bombed forward to attack Inter’s wing-backs.

RF – Mario Pasalic – 6.5/10

An excellent glancing header that almost gave Atalanta the lead. He was constantly changing places with Bellanova on the wing.

ST – Mateo Retegui – 5/10

Played as the target man for the hosts and looked to be on the end of Lookman’s crosses. The highest goal-scorer in the league this season barely had a sniff of the ball as the game went on.

LF – Ademola Lookman – 6.5/10

He had the freedom to roam the entire pitch to pick the ball and create chances at will. His dribbles needed more purpose as Inter were happy to show him out wide and he couldn’t deliver efficiently.

Sub – Charles De Ketelaere – 6/10

Came on to chase the game and started his job with a decent job and a dribble.

Sub – Matteo Ruggeri – 6/10

Sub – Daniel Maldini- 6/10

Sub – Lazar Samardzic- 6/10

Sub – Marco Brescianini – 6/10

Manager – Gian Piero Gasperini – 6/10

The victory against Juventus didn’t do much as they failed to win a game that was there for the taking. His side switched off from a setpiece despite knowing the threat that Inter possessed. He changed the system in-game but Inter’s defence was far too good to break for them.

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Inter Player Ratings

GK – Yann Sommer – 6/10

Made a great save to deny Pasalic’s bullet header. Still looking like he’s recovering from his injury.

CB – Benjamin Pavard – 7/10

Almost got into a fight with Lookman as they clashed heads. The Frenchman had to keep his cool and play out from the back. Reluctantly moved to the right wing-back position after Dumfries was injured.

CB – Francesco Acerbi – 8/10

Stood like a rock and swept everything that was thrown towards the box. Alert to almost every danger.

CB – Alessandro Bastoni – 6/10

The nitty gritty ball winner pounced whenever there was a chance to steal it and run away with the ball. Kept Retegui as quiet as possible on the night. A good performance was undone because of a red card late in the game.

RWB – Denzel Dumfries – 6.5/10

Started the game in fine attacking form. Sent a cross that was too close to the goalkeeper. He was sloppy on the ball though. The pain from his previous injuries resurfaced and he had to be withdrawn.

CM – Nicolo Barella – 8/10

Made a trademark run from the middle of the park but was shocked to see the flag go up. He always brings the wow factor when he’s on the ball.

CM – Hakan Calhanoglu – 7.5/10

Picked up the ball and drove toward the opposition. Created great chances from his set pieces and dangerous crosses from the half-spaces.

CM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7/10

He sat deep and took up the job of picking the opposition’s pockets to set his side on the move. Needs to improve his form if Inter are to go deep in all the competitions.

LWB – Carlos Augusto -8.5/10

Took the opportunity with both hands as Dimarco nears a return from injury. Used brute force to score a huge header and give his side the lead. Did his defensive duties perfectly as well.

ST – Marcus Thuram – 7/10

Rattled the inside of the post early on as he almost gave Inter the lead. Was involved in epic battles with Atalanta’s centre-backs.

ST – Lautauro Martinez – 8/10

The Argentine striker was in fine form and his performance reflected that. He was assured with his touches and passes to keep pressing for the key goal. Finally got his goal late in the game with a power shot.

Sub – Yann Bisseck- 6/10

Replaced the injured Dumfries and occupied the centreback spot.

Sub – Davide Frattesi- 6/10

Sub -Kristjan Asllani – 6/10

Sub – Angel Correa – 6/10

Sub – Mehdi Taremi- 6/10

Manager – Simone Inzaghi – 8/10

Set his side to attack from the first minute despite knowing Atalanta’s strong defence. They waited for opportunities and took advantage of their height from a set piece yet again. Will be looking forward to defend his crown with strong performances like these.

The Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to Inter’s Carlos Augusto

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