Inter Milan vs Atalanta
Inter Milan vs Atalanta: Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final Match Preview

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Here comes the semis match of Inter Milan against Atalanta on 2 January 2025, with scintillating form shown from both sides in the Supercoppa Italiana at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a tie that deals with high stakes, which promises a gut-wrenching and strong-minded confrontation with pride, momentum, and a step closer to capturing the much-needed silverware up for grabs.
Dominant Inter Milan, ambition intact: In a season that has seen everything fall just in place, the reign of incumbent Simone Inzaghi, Inter Milan indeed have become this season's juggernaut. Coming into this tie, the reigning Scudetto champions were coming back off an unprecedented streak. A 3-0 win over Cagliari in their last Serie A outing had just about the right combination of solidity at the back and aggression up front. Goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu secured a fifth straight Serie A win without conceding since 2012.
But Inter's dominance is not about simple domestic success, and with three already won, a record Supercoppa Italiana, the Nerazzurri want more. Should they win this year's edition, that will also see them go into history books as the very first team to have lifted the trophy four years running. And that burning desire was encapsulated in recent comments made by Inzaghi as he spoke about holding their winning mentality.
Refreshed and marshaling with Yann Bisseck, Stefan de Vrij has been solid and a strong cornerstone of Nerazzurri. Add the firepower in attack, Inter does look capable of dominating the tempo of the games at any given time against any opposition.
Atalanta's Resurgence and Ambitions
Gian Piero Gasperini transformed Atalanta into one of the most exciting and tactically sound teams in Italy. This season is shaping up to be a really brilliant campaign for the Bergamo outfit, with excellent positions both in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. The defeat in the early part of the season against Inter 4-0, Atalanta have impressively bounced back since then.
That result kept them unbeaten in the last 13 games played in Italy with 1-1 against Lazio in the last round in Serie A, to which the team gave in for a draw, possibly to end their run of success there in 12 wins, it just showed how solid and full-of-fighting-spirit they could be. A dynamic, attacking play is what usually heads the strong point of Atalanta, spearheaded usually by Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere. Probably without the injured Mateo Retegui and Gianluca Scamacca, Gasperini has built a deep squad that is quite competitive.
The neutral venue in Riyadh will be a godsend for Atalanta, that have been simply outstanding on the road this term. Their run of ten unbeaten away games-that includes eight wins-really underlines their ability to respond to pressure.
Key Players to Watch
Lautaro Martinez has been great upfront for Inter, bagging goals now and then, and fitting quite well with Marcus Thuram. Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be the other shining spark in as much as how influential he has been in the middle of the park in the Inter team. His vision and ability to control the game's pace might just make all the difference in unlocking the back four of Atalanta.
At the other end, Ademola Lookman will once again look to inspire the final third for Atalanta. Speedy, creative, and with just that coolness of Charles De Ketelaere in front of the goal, it remains a deadly combination. Of course, deeper in the midfield, it's at Teun Koopmeiners where their central role in dictating play to Atalanta largely lies, particularly in how it will switch gears from back to front.
Inter's 3-5-2 under Inzaghi has been one of the hallmarks of success, mainly with wingbacks-most especially Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco-playing out of position to drag the opponent's backline and thus give width for crosses and situational awareness up into the box. This is the sort of setup that, with Hakan Calhanoglu pulling the strings in midfield and Lautaro Martinez at the head of an attack, can see the team take care of possession and move forward for scoring opportunities.
They set up in their now-familiar 3-4-2-1, affording them flexibility on the field tactically. They do love to overload midfield and exploit the space out wide. Above all, Gasperini ensures a high-pressing side with quick transitions - a direct cause for Inter's concern if their rhythm can be disrupted at the earliest part of the game.
Recent Head-to-Head Record
Inter have a better head-to-head from the recent clashes with Atalanta, unbeaten in 13 matches against La Dea. Also, in the last six meetings, this head-to-head yielded wins for Inter, where they scored 19 times, conceding only four times during that period. The dominance of their opponents and the form of this moment in time gives Inter a psychological advantage going into this game.
But then, Atalanta have always been good for any big occasion. Their resilience and tactical astuteness render them uncomfortable opponents who can pip any in-form team at any moment.
Team News
Inter will once again have to do without long-time injury absentees Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavard. Their rearguard, marshaled by Bastoni, De Vrij, and Bisseck, has fared pretty well in their absence, though. Matteo Darmian's return to full fitness adds options once again for Inzaghi, but Denzel Dumfries should continue on the right flank.
Retegui and Scamacca continue to remain out due to their respective injury concerns. The other big gun missing for this game is Juan Cuadrado. Despite such setbacks, Gasperini can still bank on people like Lookman, De Ketelaere, and Koopmeiners to deliver from the front.
Predicted Lineups
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Samardzic, Lookman; De Ketelaere.
Prediction
Inter Milan are the favourites in the semis for the fact that they have been able to manage a slightly better form over Atalanta and have beaten them twice in three previous games. Their solidity in the defence and deep attack make them all set against Atalanta's danger.
Atalanta, however, are no pushovers. Their ability to adapt and execute Gasperini’s tactical plans could make this a closer contest than expected. If Lookman and De Ketelaere can exploit Inter’s defensive gaps, La Dea might find opportunities to upset the odds.
Prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 Atalanta
Much is at stake, with Supercoppa Italiana final berths in question. This will be an exquisite watch, considering that two heavyweights from the whole of Italy get into each other. Though Inter Milan goes slight favorites into the game, much similar to Atalanta, the grit and unpredictability allow them to make this clash memorable for long in head-on rival opposition.