Internazionale – Atalanta Bergamo: A Game That Insults The Former Structures (1-1)

Two teams needed responses after demoralizing losses. Instead, they produced a game that can be highlighted as a case study of some of Serie A’s wider tactical issues. Now the title race could be back on, and the chances of Atalanta Bergamo in the Champions League next season are getting slimmer.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

When doubt bleeds into the Inter psyche, a conveniently placed Atalanta has been a good source of medicine. Two 4-0 wins in a row at the San Siro; Inter needed a similar reaction to get the title procession back on track.

Last weekend’s defeat in Derby della Madonnina reignited some feelings. Their significant lead at the top had only been reduced to seven points, but their record versus Serie A’s best is back under scrutiny. Cristian Chivu became the first Inter coach in over fifty years to lose his first two games against AC Milan, and an early Champions League exit has left a sour taste, even with the big lead on top. Ahead is a decisive month: starting against Atalanta, but with Fiorentina, Roma (two teams they lost to going into the final months of last year) and Como (both in the cup and league) coming up, Chivu needs to regroup.

A rough midweek has left Atalanta in melancholy. Raffaele Palladino switched to . . .