Inter Milan and Atalanta go head-to-head in Serie A at San Siro on Saturday.
Inter host the Bergamo club looking to respond to a derby setback and strengthen their position at the top of the table. Atalanta arrive chasing European qualification after a bruising Champions League defeat.
Inter Milan vs Atalanta – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 14th March.
- Kick-off: 2pm BST.
- Venue: San Siro, Milan.
Inter Milan team news
Inter are managing a growing injury list, with key defenders and forwards facing late fitness tests ahead of Atalanta’s visit.
Centre-back Alessandro Bastoni is a major doubt and is set for decisive medical checks after suffering a lower-leg knock in the Milan derby. Carlos Augusto is on standby to replace him on the left of the back three.
Hakan Calhanoglu remains a doubt for the match with a thigh problem. Lautaro Martinez is still recovering from a calf issue and faces a race against time to feature. Marcus Thuram has also been dealing with illness, leaving coach Cristian Chivu short of firepower in attack.
Cristian Chivu has urged his squad to show resilience after the derby defeat, stressing that “this team has already proved it can respond under pressure” in his pre-match media duties.
Atalanta team news
Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere are still expected to miss this match although they have resumed training.
Emerson is also doubtful due to his muscle issue and could be a last-minute call.
Coach Raffaele Palladino is expected to stick with his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, trusting the structure that has kept the Bergamaschi in the European chase domestically.
Marco Carnesecchi should continue in goal behind a back three of Odilon Kossounou, Isak Hien and Sead Kolasinac, with Davide Zappacosta and youngster Lorenzo Bernasconi operating as wing-backs.
Gianluca Scamacca is expected to lead the line again, supported by attacking midfielders such as Lazar Samardzic and a mobile wide threat like Kamaldeen Sulemana or Nicola Zalewski.
Palladino has called for a reaction after the Bayern loss, insisting Atalanta “must show personality at San Siro” and highlighting the opportunity to respond immediately against the league leaders.
Atalanta are expected to rotate selectively rather than wholesale, balancing recovery from European exertions with the importance of the Serie A run-in.
Form
Inter Milan
Inter sit top of Serie A heading into the weekend with 67 points in 28 matches, having built a strong platform over the course of the campaign, but they are looking to bounce back after a costly derby defeat to AC Milan (0-1) last time out. Despite the defeat, they lead the table by seven points as AC Milan sits second in the table with 60 points.
Atalanta
Atalanta remain firmly in the hunt for European qualification, sitting seventh in Serie A with 46 points in 28 matches, just five points behind fourth-placed Como and four points behind sixth-placed Juventus, ahead of the trip to Milan, but their form has been mixed in recent weeks.
After their comeback win against Borussia Dortmund to progress to the round of 16 of the Champions League, they haven’t won a single match in their last four outings with their most recent one being a huge 6-1 loss to Bayern Munich.
Predicted lineups
Inter Milan: Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Carlos Augusto; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca
How to watch Inter Milan vs Atalanta?
In the UK, Inter Milan vs Atalanta will be shown live on DAZN.
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