Italian journalist Matteo Marani believes that the Serie A draw between Inter and Atalanta yesterday was a fair result and that the point is good in the context of the Nerazzurri’s season.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the journalist emphasized the view that the Nerazzurri did well to deservedly avoid falling to defeat in one of their toughest fixtures of the season.
Inter controlled possession for much of the evening at the Gewiss Stadium, though they were not able to create many more telling opportunities than their opposition.
A combination of goalkeeping heroics, by Inter captain Samir Handanovic in particular, and a lack of clinical finishing meant that the clash finished goalless despite the obvious quality on show from both sides.
For Marani, the Nerazzurri basically came and got the job done even though they were prevented from taking three points for the first time in Serie A since the derby against AC Milan.
“Great pace, great intensity,” Marani characterized the match, “a wonderful match even without any goals.”
“I was impressed by Atalanta,” he went on, “who kept league leaders Inter at bay for at least an hour, the best anyone has done in the league so far.”
“Then their energy levels dropped fatally,” he continued. “The difference in the standings between the two sides can be accounted for by home form – the Bergamo side have obtained 13 points, and the Italian champions 26.”
He gave the view that “Yesterday Inter got a good point, even apart from the numbers.”
“Now the question is what will happen in the two huge matches which are likely to be decisive for their season,” Marani predicted, “first there’s the derby, and then Napoli.”
“It’s a very balanced title race,” Marani concluded, “if Milan can overtake them at the top it will put pressure on the Nerazzurri, even with a game in hand.”