Serie A: Atalanta clinch important win against Inter in 7-goal thriller
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 07: Ezequiel Schelotto (R) of FC Internazionale Milano reacts to Ciro Polito of Atalanta BC at the end of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Atalanta BC at San Siro Stadium
In what could turn out out to be a very important match in deciding the European qualifiers from Serie A, Inter couldn’t stand up to the challenge of keeping up with AC Milan, whose own disastrous result on the day meant Inter could have gone within 5 points of 3rd place. Instead, they stand at 5th, 8 points away from a Champions league spot with just 7 games to go.
With Milito and Palacio injured, the strike partnership up ahead comprised of the veteran Rocchi and Antonio Cassano. This partnership seemed limp at times as they lacked the drive to go ahead and finish whatever few chances fell to them. Cassano succumbed to his hamstring injury in the 32nd minute, and this injury came in as a boon for the Nerazzurri in the form of introduction of Alvarez. Alvarez and Rocchi had multiple chances to break the deadlock, before Rocchi finally was able to convert from Pereira’s corner.
While the first half looked drab and the deadlock seemed impossible to break at times,the second half was totally different with as many as 6 goals being scored in the final forty-five minutes. The onslaught started with inept defending from Samuel and Ranocchia leading to a well-taken goal from Bonaventura. However, Atalanta’s joys weren’t to start yet as Inter led again within 2 minutes, as Alvarez converted with a header from a long ball. The Alvarez show continued as his second goal came in another five minutes, coupled with more susceptible covering from the Atalanta defenders. With two goals in hand, Alvarez seemed to have closed the game; but this was before the start of the Denis and Ranocchia show. It was becoming increasingly clear as he first conceded the penalty and then couldn’t cover in his own box that it simply wasn’t Ranocchia’s day. On the other hand, Denis calmly finished off both these chances before poking in home his hattrick goal from Bonaventura’s cross. Ranocchia’s woes weren’t to end there as his chance to redeem himself fell at his feet with the goal just a couple of yards away; but he somehow managed to miss it.
Overall, some inept depending from both sides and attacking brilliance from the likes of Denis, Alvarez and Bonaventura led to a match which changed from a drab one to an exciting 7-goal thriller. In the end, Inter lost not only a brilliant chance of getting European qualification in their sights, but also another attacking threat in the form of Cassano. Just how much his loss affects Inter’s European dreams, only time will tell.
Man of the match: Denis
Flop of the match: Ranocchia
Moment of the match: Ranocchia’s miss right at the death
Elsewhere in Serie A:
1) Juventus and Napoli marched on with routine wins over Pescara and Genoa.
2) Milan threw away a good chance to win over Fiorentina as they conceded two penalties after going two up.
3) Palermo make a point of getting out of the bottom three by fighting and getting a much-needed 3-1 win over Sampdoria.