Best match in Saudi Arabia.
Bergamo leaders need rest
Atalanta, as runners-up in the Italian Cup, traveled to the Middle East to compete for the country’s Super Cup. At the same time, the Bergamasques are having more difficulty than their competitors. Right now they are in the title race – but if Inter are used to it, then the Gasperini gang has no experience or quality rotation. The last matches of 2024 were difficult. At home against Empoli, they squandered their two-goal lead – Charles de Ketelaret saved in the 86th minute (scored the winner). Then we lost points against Lazio on the road
It is therefore not even surprising that Gian Piero Gasperini decided to organize a rotation for the Super Cup semi-final. Much of Atalanta’s core remained in reserve – Ederson, Berat Djimsiti, attacking leaders Charles de Ketelare and Ademola Lookman. We also missed Mateo Retegui a lot. The suddenly blossoming striker was injured in the match against Empoli and has not appeared on the pitch since then. All this should have affected the Bergamasques’ play – especially when they were in possession, ultimately.
Inter have an antidote to Atalanta pressure
Gasperini, despite the personnel changes, did not deviate from his usual plan; Atalanta’s trump card was always the same: active personal pressure. In segments, the team even closed the Nerazzurri in their own half – the ball then only moved between the central defenders and the goalkeeper. The Milanese made it as difficult as possible to escape the pressure. But we didn’t have the feeling that this caused Inter to panic.
Milan have already proven several times that they can resist Gasperini’s plan. In the last two matches, Inzaghi’s team crushed the Bergamasco, the aggregate score was 8:0 (and now another “cracker”). Inter is literally designed to beat such teams. Vertical football, consisting of fast attacks, ideally overlaps with Atalanta’s aggressive pressing. All the Nerazzurri needed was to find a moment to relax the spring – and they immediately found themselves with the ball in someone else’s penalty area. Sommer again played an important role – the goalkeeper made radio-controlled passes from any distance, even under pressure. Each line maintained a high attacking rhythm. The Nerazzurri simply had no problem with Bergamasco’s pressure because they transferred the pressure. Dumfries performance
Inzaghi’s ideal football is reactive attacks and goals from one side on the other’s pass. The Nerazzurri have definitely captured the mind: they have not conceded a goal in the last five games and have scored 15 goals themselves. Match with Lazio
In general, it can be analyzed as a summary of Simone’s system (back then, the full-backs were also spectacular). Yesterday’s fight can also be seen as that. Right-back Denzel Dumfries brought Inter victory. The 28-year-old full-back is spending his fourth season in Italy and is constantly attracting the attention of the other giants. In recent years, the Dutchman has been closely watched
Манчестер Юнайтед . It even affected negotiations with Inter over a new contract. But the last few months have shown that there is nothing to worry about: Denzel is at home here. A footballer can fight for trophies, the team is strong in European competitions. And in such a summit, Dumfries is the leader. He scored twice against Atalanta. First he fell after a corner, then he adapted to the ball and shot into touch from outside the penalty area.Enter the treble
Now we can say with certainty: Inter are back in shape and ready to fight for trophies. The latest games are on fire. The coach also only targeted complaints – this is what he noticed after the victory against the Bergamasques:
We were very good. We proved we were a great team in both halves. We were focused and played technically. We should have made it 3-0 in the second half, but I have to congratulate the guys. We played a good match and I’m very happy. These matches are never easy, but the players showed determination. It’s not easy to go to the field every 3-4 days with breaks for travel, but we exceeded all expectations.
The Nerazzurri win game after game while their competitors make mistakes. In the Serie A standings, Inter are one point behind Naples and Atalanta. At the same time, the opponents played one more match. Sixth place in the ranking
Лига чемпионов not that impressive – but for the team, the real fight won’t begin until the playoffs. Things are also going well in the Italian Cup and the Super Cup. For now, Inter have an excellent chance of winning a treble, or even a quadruple. Gasperini has clearly defined his priorities
The Atalanta coach, after losing to Inter, convinces that the team did not perceive the Super Cup as a second-rate tournament:
We didn’t neglect this tournament, we tried to win the match. To win these matches, you have to make a few fewer mistakes.
Lookman and De Ketelare (did not start) because they cannot play 50 90-minute matches. All others are first team players.
But objectively, the Super Cup is not as important for Bergamasco as Serie A and the Champions League. The team lacks a roster of champions and relevant experience. They are hard workers who found chemistry with the coach and became last year’s discovery
Euro League . From now on, Atalanta is the “dark horse” of the Italian championship. The coaching staff has superhuman efficiency, which is why they became the leaders of Serie A. The problem is that now leadership must be maintained – and here experience, stability and a powerful team come first plan. In each of the components, Atalanta is weaker than Inter.Source link
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