The Nerazzurri from Bergamo blew Inter out of the water when the two sides met earlier in the season, the hosts want payback. Match on Sunday at 21:30 CET.
The thumping of Genoa on Wednesday returned the life to an Inter camp that seemed to have had hit a new low in ennui and lethargy during the lacklustre home loss to Lazio the preceding week.
This weekend Inter host neighbours Atalanta in the second of a trio of winnable matches right ahead of the two home matches against rivals Roma and Juventus. Atalanta can often pose a problem to Inter but thankfully for the hosts they will be without their suspended league top scorer Duvan Zapata. That said, his presumed replacement, Josip Ilicic, has been a regular tormentor of Inter defences in his own right.
Luciano Spalletti will probably start with Roberto Gagliardini and Radja Nainggolan in midfield, both of whom had very strong showings against Genoa and if still in similar form, will provide a great source of attacking prowess and defensive solidity against Gasperini’s often tricky Atalanta.
It may be a bit of a blessing for Inter to be facing their nemesis when the pressure on them is the lowest it’s been in weeks. Let’s hope this reduced pressure allows the players to grow into the performance rather than allow them to feel overconfident and pedestrian.
Team News
Since Lautaro Martinez and Stefan de Vrij are both still injured, one can expect Spalletti to use the same lineup and formation as in the match against Genoa. Bearing in mind that Milan Skriniar and Marcelo Brozovic are both one yellow card away from suspension, it might be wise if they both collect yellow cards to sit out next weeks match against Frosinone and be available for both critical matches against direct rivals Roma and then Juventus.
Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-2-3-1) Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Skriniar, Asamoah; Gagliardini, Brozovic; Politano, Nainggolan, Perisic; Icardi
Stats
Last Season: Inter 2 – 0 Atalanta
Last 10 Head to Head: Despite matches against Atalanta being generally viewed as difficult trap games, Inter beaten the visitors in the last four home matches, scoring twelve goals and conceding just one.
Keep an Eye on
Radja Nainggolan: The Belgian gladiator was in some of his finest vintage form against Genoa last matchday, if he’s able to replicate some of that match’s output, he could prove to be a decisive contributor to the match result.
Officials
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati
Assistants: Lo Cicero, Marrazzo
Fourth Official: Maresca
VAR Assistants: Rocchi, Di Liberatore
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Inter 2 – 0 Atalanta with Gagliardini and Nainggolan scoring.
Concluding remarks: Inter have an opportunity to lay down a real marker here. A strong showing and all three points can mean all the difference come the season’s end.