Inter Milan vs. Atalanta: Preview

Reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan will aim for their second consecutive league win on Friday when they host Lombardy rivals Atalanta BC at San Siro. After a shaky start to the 2024-25 season, Inter Milan bounced back with a victory over Lecce last week, while Atalanta suffered a narrow defeat in Turin after missing a late penalty. I

Inter began their title defense with a 2-2 draw in Genoa but secured a much-needed win against Lecce, with Matteo Darmian scoring early and Hakan Calhanoglu converting a penalty, marking his 17th consecutive successful penalty in Serie A. The 2-0 win ensured Inter Milan’s streak of never losing their first home game in 12 years and continued their trend of winning their opening home fixture for six consecutive seasons.

With a favorable start to their schedule, Simone Inzaghi’s team now faces one of their toughest tests before the international break. Last season, Inter remained unbeaten against all their top-five rivals, and Inzaghi aims to keep that record intact, beginning with this match against Atalanta.

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Inter Milan vs. Atalanta: Head-to-Head

Recent results favour Inter, who defeated Atalanta 4-0 at San Siro last season with Darmian again opening the scoring. Inter Milan hasn’t lost to Atalanta in their last 11 league encounters, highlighting their dominance in this Lombardy rivalry.

Despite falling short in their recent matchups against Inter Milan, Atalanta has been performing well, securing a top-five finish last season and winning their first-ever European trophy under Gian Piero Gasperini. However, a challenging transfer window has impacted their early-season form. Atalanta, with key players like Teun Koopmeiners and Ademola Lookman potentially leaving and others injured, struggled after their UEFA Super Cup loss to Real Madrid but won their league opener against Lecce. Mateo Retegui scored in that match but missed a crucial penalty in a 2-2 draw with Torino.

Facing another away game while their home stadium is renovating, Atalanta will deal with several absences. Coach Gasperini will continue to address squad gaps, including the expected departures of Koopmeiners and Lookman and the departures of El Bilal Toure and goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Team News

Inter Milan may again be without captain Lautaro Martinez due to a muscle issue, with Mehdi Taremi likely to partner Marcus Thuram up front. Stefan de Vrij is back in training and could join Piotr Zielinski on the bench, though Tajon Buchanan remains sidelined.

Atalanta’s lineup will feature new arrivals such as Rui Patricio and Juan Cuadrado, while Raoul Bellanova competes for a wing-back spot. Mateo Retegui, who has scored three goals in his first two Serie A games, will be supported by Charles De Ketelaere in attack.

Inter Milan vs. Atalanta: Probable Starting XI

Inter Milan: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi

Atalanta BC: Carnesecchi; De Roon, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Brescianini, De Ketelaere; Retegui

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Article originally written by Jaineel Kariya