Inter Milan 3-2 Atalanta: Win sees Simone Inzaghi’s side secure Champions League qualification

Two goals in the first ten minutes set Inter Milan on their way to victory over Atalanta which secures their top-four spot in Serie A.

The hosts were in front with less than a minute played when Lautaro Martinez’s slide-rule pass allowed Romelu Lukaku to run through then round Marco Sportiello and score.

The lead was doubled in the third minute when another fine Martinez ball found Federico Dimarco and when he had two efforts blocked the ball dropped for Nicola Barella to volley home.

Atalanta dominated the second half and were well worthy of their goal which came when Mario Pasalic drove home high into the net after a goalmouth scramble.

The game was put beyond doubt 13 minutes from time when Lukaku played Marcelo Brozovic through the middle and he opted to slide the ball square to Martinez who tapped into an empty net.

Substitute Luis Muriel’s incredible strike from 25 yards gave Atalanta brief hope with a goal a minute into injury time but Inter held on.

Inter go second for at least 24 hours, but most crucially are eight points clear of fifth-place Atalanta whose dreams of Champions League qualification will be over if AC Milan draw at home to Verona on Sunday.

TALKING POINT – A nice run out for City game

Going two goals up within the first 10 minutes, Inter sat back and invited Atalanta to attack them for the rest of the match. This may not have been the best tactics to put the game beyond doubt and it seemed like Simone Inzaghi would make changes at half time after the visitors dominated the final 20 minutes of the first half. Instead he kept his side playing behind the ball and looking to attack on the counter attack – likely what they will have to do for much of the Champions League final in two weeks’ time. One move where Nicola Barella drove on the counter attack then found Lukaku wide and his cross was almost converted by Martinez and also the goal Martinez eventually scored are the sort of moves they will try to replicate against Pep Guardiola’s side. It goes without saying they need to be more switched on defensively, but Inzaghi may well shift his system to assist with this also. Needless to say, as well as Edin Dzeko has played in European competition this season, Lukaku must start in the No. 9 position.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Lautaro Martinez (Inter)

The Argentine striker effectively ensured Inter would have the point they needed from the game with the way he started, splitting the Atalanta defence with precision passes. There are few players Manchester City will be concerned about coming up against but Martinez and his strike partner will cause Guardiola some sleeepless nights. His deserved goal ended up being key.

PLAYER RATINGS

Inter: Onana 6; D’Ambrosio 6, Acerbi 7, Bastoni 6; Dumfries 6, Barella 7, Brozovic 7, Calhanoglu 7, Dimarco 6; Martinez 8*, Lukaku 7.

Subs: Goosens 6, De Vrij 6, Asllani 6, Dzeko 6, Darmian 6.

Atalanta: Sportiello 7; Toloi 6, Djimsiti 6, Scalvini 6; Maehle 6, Ederson 6, De Roon 6, Zappacosta 6; Pasalic 7, Koopmeiners 6; Hojlund 6.

Subs: Lookman 6, Muriel 7, Okoli 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

1′ GOAL FOR INTER! Lukaku latches onto a through-ball from Martinez and easily rounds the goalkeeper before slotting home.

3′ GOAL FOR INTER! Amazing. Martinez put through DiMarco whose effort was saved, then the ball fell for the winger again, and once more the ‘keeper saved well but Barella following up volleyed with style in off the bar.

8′ BALL IN THE NET AGAIN… A marvellous volley from Calhanoglu but he was in an offside position when Acerbi’s shot was blocked up in the air. He could not have caught the volley sweeter.

36′ GOAL FOR ATALANTA! It has been coming. A scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Pasalic who smashed the ball into the net. After a long VAR check it is confirmed.

77′ GOAL FOR INTER! A goal on the break and a deserved one for Martinez. Brozovic ran through the middle one-on-one to latch onto a ball from Lukaku and then slipped the ball to the left where Martinez was faced with an empty net.

90+1′ GOAL FOR ATALANTA! And it was a screamer. The substitute Muriel’s initial shot from a free kick was blocked but he then rifled an unstoppable effort home from 25 yards.

KEY STAT