The first goal in tonight’s Serie A clash between Inter and Atalanta at San Siro will be crucial, former Inter and Atalanta goalkeeper Alberto Fontana has insisted today.
The match, which is scheduled to kick off at 20:45 local time, will see the two highest-scoring sides in Serie A this season face off and Fontana believes that the team who score first will have a great chance of bringing home three points.
Inter can re-establish their six-point lead at the top of the table with victory over Gian Piero Gasperini’s men.
“I think many will cheer for Atalanta in this match,” Fontana argued in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Tuttosport.
“Whoever takes the lead has a 70% chance of winning the match and for sure it is more important for Inter to win.”
Fontana, who played for Inter between 2001 and 2005, went on to reflect on his spell with the club, during which he was limited to just 24 appearances across all competitions.
“In Milan I knew I wouldn’t play because Francesco Toldo was better, but I still felt important.
“I suffered a bit in the city because I wasn’t used to it.
“You don’t expect to play a derby at 37 and win man of the match.
“I didn’t play but if it was my turn there was no panic.
“Feeling the support from the fans was gratifying.
“You have to admit when you have someone better than you and my friendship with Toldo made me spend four wonderful years at Inter.
“Francesco would have been the starter in the national team for 10 years if Gianluigi Buffon hadn’t been there.”
The former Cesena and Bari goalkeeper went on to share his views on the current goalkeepers of his former sides in Samir Handanovic and Pierluigi Gollini, who are two of the better goalkeepers in the division.
“When it comes to Handanovic I am not objective.
“For me we are talking about a top goalkeeper, I am crazy about him.
“He gives me the feeling of always being in control.
“Gollini, on the other hand, could be a great player for ten years.”
