Atalanta makes Inter tremble. In the 1-1 draw at San Siro it was the Nerazzurri from Bergamo who had the most regrets, testifying to another great performance in the presence of a more famous, but not stronger, team. Two major reasons for regret: a penalty not awarded in the first half on Toloi and, above all, the one missed by Muriel in the 88th minute. Barring sensational twists, it would have been Atalanta's winning goal and instead the Colombian bewitched by Handanovic, thus allowing Conte to avoid a bad defeat. It must also be said that in the first half Inter had been clearly superior, deserving the lightning advantage of Lautaro (4', assist by Lukaku) and coming close to scoring the second goal several times, in particular with the Argentine himself.
But Atalanta, as demonstrated several times during the season, never dies and so in the 40th minute there is the first sign of reaction: Toloi's header and Handanovic's save, with the next tap-in missing by centimetres. However, the explanation comes in the replay seen by everyone but not by Var Irrati, obviously distracted: the Brazilian is held back by Lautaro and that's why he can't get to the ball. Sigh of relief for Inter who, however, return to the field decidedly under tone. The beautiful team in the first half, capable of a frenzied pressing devoted to exalting Lukaku and Lautaro, in fact leaves room for an Atalanta at times sumptuous, even ferocious in closing Conte in his half, moreover without even leaving him the counters. Gasperini's move to remove the evanescent Zapata for a much more bubbly Malinovskyi was decisive, thus removing points of reference from the Inter defense.
From then on it was a Bergamo domain, certified by the Ukrainian's post and, above all, by the equalizer by Gosens, quick to take advantage of Candreva's indecision and beat Handanovic (75'). The Gasp, who in the meantime had also included Muriel, feels an air of coup and actually it would be like this, were it not for that the Colombian, sent to the penalty spot by a foul by Bastoni on Malinovskyi, lets himself be hypnotized by a great Handanovic, decisive in safeguarding the draw. Conte thus misses the victory that would have given him the mathematical winter title but perhaps, in light of the match, he prefers to look at the glass half full. “We have started a journey and we find ourselves there, we have many merits having 46 points but we must be very realistic because there is a path to take – his analysis at the press conference. – We are pulling everything out in a difficult situation. Then you see the standings, you see you're there and you close your eyes to so many situations. I always pray that all players are there, but injuries and suspensions are there and therefore the blanket becomes too short".
The message to the club, once again, is quite explicit but they are well aware that the coach is right: it is no coincidence that the moves on the transfer market continue, starting with Eriksen (he is negotiating with Tottenham for immediately having him) passing through Giroud and Young, both very close. But now the ball passes to Juve, called to beat Roma in the super challenge at the Olimpico (20.45 pm) and to conquer the title of winter champion. A delicate match for both, because if it's true that points weigh a lot for the Bianconeri, the same can be said of the Giallorossi, currently tied by Atalanta in fourth place. In short, today's match risks shifting several balances in the upper area of the standings, which is why the tension will be very high.
“It's a difficult match – admitted Sarri in no uncertain terms. – Roma have many technical players and know how to get the ball going well when they win back the ball, they can be very dangerous if you let them play. But we have a very high offensive potential, we just have to be able to make the most of it. So far we have only been good in some parts of the race, the goal is to find continuity over the long term, like against Cagliari”. Just the match against the Sardinians gives confidence to the black and whites, the opposite of a Roma fresh from the knockout with Turin which undermined their certainties and self-esteem. The result at San Siro also earned Atalanta the hook, which is why losing again could be very expensive.
“I'm more worried when we play against Genoa or Turin rather than against Juve, Inter or Napoli – replied Fonseca. – So far we have always faced the best teams in the best possible way, it's a problem of attitude: we have to work to change mentality and demand more and more. Against Juve we know we can't make mistakes, we'll need absolute concentration. And soon we will be able to fight with them and Inter also in an absolute sense…”. However, the present tells us that the two teams are fighting for different objectives and that tonight, in the face of the sold out stadium at the Olimpico, they will not be able to afford mistakes.
Sarri has decided to confirm the 4-3-1-2 already seen against Cagliari, therefore Szczesny in goal, Cuadrado, Demiral (ahead of De Ligt), Bonucci and Alex Sandro in defense, Rabiot, Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Ramsey on the frontline, Dybala and Ronaldo in attack. Many more problems instead for Fonseca, forced to give up both Kluivert and Mkhitaryan, as well as having to deal with the influenced Spinazzola. His 4-2-3-1 will thus be almost obligatory with Pau Lopez between the posts, Florenzi, Mancini, Smalling and Kolarov in the back, Veretout and Diawara in the midfield, Zaniolo, Pellegrini and Perotti behind the lone striker Dzeko.
