Match Details

Atalanta v Inter – 29th October 2013 – Kick Off 20:45 (CET) – Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia – Referee: N.Rizzoli

The story so far…..

Atalanta: It really has been a season of two halves for the men from Bergamo. Away from home Colantuono’s side have been a complete shambles, losing four out of five games whilst conceding plenty of goals. It’s a very different story back in Bergamo, winners three times at home already this season (including the scalps of Lazio and Udinese) the ‘Orobici’ are an entirely different prospect on their own pitch. It’s also worth noting that the hosts have conceded just three times in Bergamo this season which will make Inter’s task even tougher.

Inter: On the face of it 18 points from nine games whilst sitting fourth in the Serie A standings makes this a satisfactory start to the season for Walter Mazzarri’s men. However, there have been worrying signs for Inter in recent weeks and the defensive woes that plagued Andrea Stramaccioni’s reign have started to creep back in. Hugo Campagnaro’s absence is one key reason for this but in Monday’s pregame press conference Mazzarri criticised the focus of his player, emphasising the need to be switched on for every second his men are on the pitch. Historically Bergamo has not been a happy hunting ground for the Nerazzurri and they will have to be on top form Tuesday night to get anything from this game.

Probable formations, Injuries and suspensions.

Courtesy of Gazzetta dello Sport

The Key men

Atalanta: Luca Cigarini – It would have been very easy to pick out the previous scourge of Inter Germain Denis as the player Mazzarri’s men should pay closest attention too. Despite the ‘Tank’ already having four Serie A goals to his name, it is ‘Il professore’ who has stolen the headlines so far this season. A stylish reader of the game, Cigarini has tallied five assists (only Totti has more) and has been the driving force behind Atalnata’s satisfactory start to this campaign. Linked to the big clubs in Italy on numerous occasions, the Nerazzurri will have to stop Cigarini if they hope to have any success in Bergamo.

Inter: Rodrigo Palacio – If he was important before, then Inter’s reliance on the Argentinian international they call ‘Rodrigol’ may now be in a different stratosphere. Mauro Icardi is unable to complete 90 minutes whilst Diego Milito suffered a setback and could possibly be unavailable until December. After Ishak Belfodil’s senseless sending off on Saturday (after the final whistle) all eyes will turn to Inter’s top scorer. In all competitions Palacio has tallied eight goals and two assists in nine starts and a substitute appearance. Inter are far from a one man show but the 31 year old will be key if the Nerazzurri hope to take three points back down the motorway to Milano.

Stat Attack – All the below stats were obtained from OPTA, the leading data provider for football statistics

Inter had 8 shots on target vs Verona, only against Sassuolo have they attempted more in a Serie A game this season (10)

Esteban Cambiasso scored his 40th Serie A goal against Verona, which was his third in his last six appearances.

Before Verona, the last time Inter had scored 2 goals in the opening 15 minutes of a Serie A games was January 2011 (vs Cesena)

Last time out, Atalanta drew a blank against Sampdoria. This despite the fact that Samp had conceded goals in each of their previous 17 Serie A games.

Atalanta have received 9 red cards in 2013, more than any other side across the top-5 European leagues.

The men from Bergamo have the lowest pass completion % in Serie A at just 78.1 – they also attempt the third lowest amount of shots per game at just 11.2

Both Inter and Atalanta are yet to receive a penalty kick this season, will referee Rizzoli change all that?

Inter allow opponents the third fewest shots in Serie A with an average of just 11.6 per game. Atalanta meanwhile allow the third most, with 16.9 per game.

Inter complete the most successful dribbles in Serie A with an average of 17 each match, Atalanta are bottom of the pile with just seven per 90 minutes.

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