Coppa Italia PREVIEW | Inter v Atalanta

We have a thrilling Coppa Italia fixture coming up as current title holders Inter hosts Atalanta today evening at the San Siro for a place in the semi-finals.

Inter approach this match on the hunt for another trophy this season after clinching the Supercoppa Italiana earlier this month. They have lost only once in their last nine matches and have rejuvenated their hopes for a potential title challenge late into the season. 

After suffering a shock defeat to Empoli last week, the Nerazzurri were quick to respond and grab the three points from Cremonese in their recent league fixture, courtesy of a stunning brace from striker Lautaro Martinez. It was quite a favourable matchday for Inter as with the win, they moved up to the 2nd spot in the standings and are now 13 points short of leaders Napoli. 

Simone Inzaghi’s men have already beaten Atalanta during the current season, with a 3-2 scoreline and they will look to build on that psychological edge to cruise past La Dea and feature into the last four of the competition for the fourth successive season.

Meanwhile, Atalanta approach this match on the back of a 2-0 home victory against Sampdoria this past weekend. Though they suffered four defeats in five games at the end of 2022, they seem back to their dominating form after stringing up a six-game unbeaten streak. 

Goals from Joakim Maehle and Ademola Lookman helped La Dea to clinch the three points and cement their hopes of finishing in the top four. The match also helped them sharpen their defensive structure as this was the first clean sheet for them since October. 

Gian Piero Gasperini will aim to build on his side’s indomitable recent goalscoring form but their main concern still remains the defence which tends to get themselves exposed too much. 

Results from their last five matches in all competitions

Inter:

W L W W W 

Atalanta:

W D W W W

Team News

Simone Inzaghi is expected to rest out injury returnee Marcelo Brozovic for this fixture. 

PSG-heading Milan Skriniar is expected to feature after missing the Cremonese match through suspension. Midfielder Nicolo Barella is also tilted to return to the starting eleven, 

As for Atalanta, Jose Luis Palomino and Davide Zappacosta are out with long-term injuries. 

Manager Gasperini will hold his hopes on Ademola Lookman to continue his fine line of form during which he has scored seven in their last four matches. 

Predicted XIs

Inter (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Musso; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Hateboer, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Maehle; Lookman, Boga; Hojlund

Trambak Bhattacherjee (@RMA_Tram) | GIFN

 

 

 

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