Serie A champions were lucky to escape with a point despite having taken the lead in their mad match against Atalanta! It ended 2-2 but could have easily gone either way after Edin Dzeko levelled and Inter had a penalty to win it. Atalanta thought they’d won it after all, only to have their would-be winner denied after a VAR check.
Inter got off to a perfect start at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza as Argentinean hitman Lautaro Martinez struck one of the best volleys you’re likely to see. Nicolo Barella delivered a pinpoint cross from the right-wing for the former Racing Club man to slice into the roof of the net with his right foot. The champions were ahead with less than five minutes gone.But Atalanta were inspired to challenge the reigning champions and they shocked the home crowd with two goals in just eight minutes. On the half-hour mark, Ukrainian midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi blasted a left-footed rocket into the side-netting to level the score and silence the home faithful.
Rafael Toloi scored an easy one on 38 minutes after the home team’s goalkeeper could only beat a Malinovskyi shot away into the path of the Brazilian-born Italy international. Inter were behind and looking groggy.Hakan Calhanoglu has had a match to forget as he never got into his familiar groove of bossing the midfield and dictating play – the traits he was signed from Inter’s biggest rivals AC Milan.Inter still managed to draw level in the second half when former Manchester City and Roma Bosnian hitman Dzeko scored one of his trademark poacher’s goal to maintain fine form since joining the club as a Romelu Lukaku replacement.
And the home team had their chance to win the game after Merih Demiral handled the ball in his area. Up stepped substitute Federico Dimarco and blasted the spot-kick off the crossbar with mere minutes remaining. He thought Atalanta had punished him late on when captain Toloi blasted in through the hands of Samir Handanovic. But after elaborate celebrations, the ref said that the goal won’t stand because there was an infringement spotted in the build-up.
The final whistle brought a mixture of satisfaction and disappointment for both sides after a great football show in Milan.
SERIE A – Round 6SaturdaySpezia – Milan 1-2 (0-0)/Verde 80 – Maldini 48, Diaz 86/Inter – Atalanta 2-2 (1-2)/Martinez 5, Dzeko 71 – Malinovskyi 30, Toloi 38/21.45: (2.85) Genoa (3.20) Verona (2.75)Sunday13.30: (1.40) Juventus (4.90) Sampdoria (9.00)16.00: (1.43) Sassuolo (4.70) Salernitana (8.50)16.00: (2.95) Udinese (3.20) Fiorentina (2.65)16.00: (2.70) Empoli (3.35) Bologna (2.80)19.00: (2.70) Lazio (3.35) Roma (2.80)21.45: (1.27) Napoli (6.75) Cagliari (11.0)Monday21.45: (3.60) Venezia (3.35) Torino (2.20)***odds are subject to change