Inter strikes a blow to Atalanta and crowns a superb week with a victory in the top clash

Internazionale reinforced their grip on the Serie A title race with a commanding 2-0 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo, taking another decisive step toward securing the Scudetto.

Fresh off a successful midweek clash in the Champions League, where they comfortably dispatched Feyenoord to book their place in the quarterfinals, the Nerazzurri quickly refocused on their domestic ambitions. With Napoli breathing down their necks in the title chase, every match carried immense significance.

Atalanta, always a dangerous opponent at home, entered the match with hopes of reigniting their own title aspirations. A victory against the defending champions would have put them back in contention, but they faced a well-drilled Inter side that had found its rhythm under Simone Inzaghi. Marten de Roon anchored the midfield for the hosts, providing experience and leadership, while Inter welcomed Denzel Dumfries into the starting eleven. However, Stefan de Vrij was ruled out due to injury, forcing a slight defensive reshuffle for the visitors.

Right from kickoff, Inter displayed their attacking intent, taking control of possession and dictating the tempo. Lautaro Martínez, the team’s talismanic forward, was at the heart of everything, orchestrating the attack and creating chances for his teammates. In the 12th minute, he delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Marcus Thuram, who had been in sensational form against Feyenoord. The French forward burst into the box, found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot ricocheted off the inside of the post and agonizingly rolled across the goal line before being cleared to safety.

Atalanta, unfazed by the early pressure, responded with attacking intent of their own. In the 22nd minute, Marten de Roon sent in a precise cross toward Mario Pasalic, whose powerful header seemed destined for the top corner. However, Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer, demonstrating his world-class reflexes, managed to get a fingertip on the ball and pushed it just over the bar, keeping the score level. It was a reminder that despite Inter’s dominance in possession, Atalanta remained dangerous on the counter.

The first half continued with Inter pushing forward but struggling to break through Atalanta’s compact defensive shape. Thuram, Martínez, and Nicolò Barella combined well in midfield, attempting to find gaps, but Atalanta's defense held firm. A few half-chances fell to Hakan Calhanoglu and Federico Dimarco, but neither was able to truly test Juan Musso in goal. As the teams headed into the halftime break, the match remained finely poised at 0-0, with Inter frustrated by their inability to capitalize on their control.

The second half began in dramatic fashion. Just minutes after the restart, the match was unexpectedly halted due to a medical emergency in the stands. The crowd fell silent as medical personnel rushed to assist a fan experiencing distress. After a tense few minutes, the stadium was relieved to see the individual regain consciousness, and once the situation was under control, the match resumed.

From the restart, Inter wasted no time in punishing their opponents. The play restarted with a corner, and Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up to deliver a curling cross into the heart of the box. Rising highest was Carlos Augusto, who met the ball with a thunderous header that left Musso with no chance. The visitors erupted in celebration as they finally broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, putting themselves in the driver's seat at 1-0.

With the lead secured, Inter dictated the game with more authority. Atalanta, now trailing, pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but they struggled to break down Inter’s well-organized defensive unit. Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi were impenetrable at the back, cutting out Atalanta’s attempted through balls and winning crucial aerial duels.

As the match entered its final stages, Atalanta threw everything forward, introducing fresh attacking options in hopes of snatching a late equalizer. However, this left them vulnerable at the back, and Inter ruthlessly exploited the spaces left behind. In the 86th minute, a swift counterattack sealed the result. A quick transition saw Barella sprint through midfield before threading a pass to Lautaro Martínez, who unselfishly squared the ball to Davide Frattesi. The Italian midfielder calmly slotted home the second goal, putting the match beyond doubt and securing a 2-0 win for Inter.

The victory was a statement of intent from Simone Inzaghi’s side, reinforcing their status as the team to beat in Serie A. It also extended their lead at the top of the table, further distancing them from Napoli and leaving Atalanta with a steep uphill battle to re-enter the title conversation. For Inter, this result capped off a perfect week, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level both domestically and in Europe. With just a handful of matches left in the season, they appear to be in pole position to defend their crown and lift another Scudetto.