Lautaro Martínez’s second-half strike proved the difference as Inter secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atalanta in a Serie A clash that lived up to its billing on December 28.
The Argentine captain broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, converting from a Francesco Pio Esposito assist to settle a contest that had threatened to remain scoreless. It was a moment of quality that punctuated Inter’s dominant performance, where they controlled 55% possession and peppered Marco Carnesecchi’s goal with 15 shots.
Inter thought they’d opened the scoring earlier when Marcus Thuram found the net in the 35th minute, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal offside. The decision kept Atalanta in the hunt, though their attacking output remained frustratingly blunt—registering seven shots but failing to test Inter’s goalkeeper with a single effort on target.
Federico Dimarco orchestrated proceedings from the left flank, delivering four key passes as Inter’s creative hub. Hakan Çalhanoğlu added three of his own from midfield, while Inter’s defensive trio of Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, and Alessandro Bastoni formed an impenetrable wall, each registering match ratings above 7.0.
Atalanta’s best performer was Carnesecchi, whose three crucial saves kept his side within touching distance. Charles De Ketelaere worked tirelessly in attack with two key passes, while Éderson and Isak Hien contributed three interceptions apiece to stem Inter’s attacking tide.
Despite Gian Piero Gasperini deploying four substitutions in search of an equalizer, including changes on 58 and 65 minutes, Atalanta couldn’t find a breakthrough. Their superior pass completion rate of 80% meant little without cutting edge.
Inter’s victory was built on clinical efficiency—converting one of four shots on target while maintaining defensive discipline throughout.
