Inter defender Federico Dimarco regrets having missed an opportunity to put his team ahead late on in this evening’s 2-2 draw against Atalanta at the San Siro.
Speaking to Inter TV after the clash, the 23-year-old gave his immediate reaction to the match and apologized to fans for having failed to convert the spot kit to give his team all three points.
Dimarco came on during the second half and he found himself given the responsibility of taking a crucial penalty with the scoreline locked at 2-2 after VAR adjudged Merih Demiral to have handled the ball in the box.
Dimarco has had a strong start to the season since returning from loan with Hellas Verona in the summer, including scoring his first goal for the Nerazzurri against Sampdoria, but this evening he was not able to make the telling contribution.
The 23-year-old’s shot struck the crossbar, keeping the scoreline level, while Gian Piero Gasperini’s men had what looked to be a late winner ruled out as the ball had gone out of play during the buildup.
“I am very sorry for the penalty,” he said, “but at the same time I am happy because my teammates and the curva were immediately close to me to cheer me up.”
“I think playing with them at home is an extra boost,” he said of the fans. “We played a great game and we have to keep working to win more.”
He went on, “For me it is not a problem to take responsibility. I missed the penalty but I will improve in training to score goals. Tonight we had many chances, we could have won but it is what it is.”
On what head coach Simone Inzaghi asks of his substitutes before they come on, Dimarco said that “The coach asks everyone to get into the match in the best way, which is very important with the five changes, and try to give a further boost whether you win or lose.”
He closed by stating, “Already tomorrow we have to think about Shakhtar and try to take the three points which are very important for qualification.”
