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After narrowly losing out on the bragging rights of the Derby della Madonnina to Milan, Inter aim to return to winning ways when they meet Atalanta this weekend at San Siro.
Inter’s 10-point lead at the top of the Serie A table was cut to seven following the Rossoneri’s 1-0 victory in their previous outing, thanks to Pervis Estupiñán’s goal. Christian Chivu’s men were unbeaten in the league since November, and finally their run came to an end at the hands of Massimiliano Allegri.
Striker Lautaro Martinez remains out of the team sheet due to an injury. Alessandro Bastoni is a doubt for the clash while midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu could be ready to feature in the line-up after missing the derby. Two from the trio of Francesco Pio Esposito, Marcus Thuram and Ange-Yoan Bonny will be chosen by Chivu as part of his attack.
Meanwhile, Atalanta come into this match on the back of a 6-1 thrashing by Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson, and Jamal Musiala put their names on the scoresheet at Bergamo while Mario Pasalic’s added-time goal was the only consolation for La Dea.
Rafaelle Palladino’s men are yet to register a single victory in March, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to secure a Europa League spot, as they are five points away from Roma, who are in 5th-place. Nikola Krstovic and Gianluca Scamacca are set to battle it out for a striker role. Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere will miss the match.
Predicted Line-ups for the match between Inter and Atalanta
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca.
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
