Inter move six points clear at the top of Serie A thanks to Skriniar's strike - the home team's only attempt on target all game. Atalanta will feel they did enough to earn at least a point, but Handanovic produced a superb save to keep out Zapata in the first half and Djimsiti was denied on the line by Brozovic moments later.
Conte's side have now won six league games in a row and travel to Torino next up on Sunday. As for Atalanta, who remain a point outside the top four following this first defeat in six league games, they host Spezia on Friday.
That is all for today's live text coverage. Thanks for joining, goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+4'
FULL-TIME: INTER 1-0 ATALANTA22:39
90'+3'
Atalanta lump the ball into the box from deep - can you really blame them? - and Pasalic attempts to meet it with an overhead kick. He misses the ball and instead catches D'Ambrosio on the shoulder.22:38
90'+2'
Inter are continuing to stand firm with two minutes to go. Atalanta are probing away but that final ball is too often lacking. All they need is one final chance - but will it arrive?22:37
90'
Four minutes have been added on at the end of the match at San Siro!22:35
89'
Barella gets an important touch to Ilicic's throughball. It trickles out of play for a corner, which is flicked on at the front post and gathered by Handanovic.22:35
88'
A cross from the left is played straight into the hands of Handanovic. That should eat up another 30 seconds or so.22:32
87'
Atalanta have had 68 per cent of the ball in the second period. It is attack against defence now but the visitors do not exactly have time on their side.22:32
85'
Darmian takes over from Perisic out wide for the final five minutes of normal time.22:31
85'
Conte needs to change something and he has done exactly that with two more changes. D'Ambrosio is on for Hakimi.22:31
84'
NEARLY! Toloi picks out Pasalic and the midfielder's volley is just wide of the target. This is going to be a nervy finale for league leaders Inter!22:30
83'
It is hard to work out exactly what formation Atalanta are playing at the moment. The visitors are not exactly going all out for an equaliser, though - they have still managed just one shot on target since falling behind.22:28
81'
That is all five substitutions made by Atalanta now as Djimsiti makes way for Palomino.22:27
81'
Pasalic comes on for Freuler as Gasperini goes for a different approach.22:26
80'
There is no way out of their own half for Inter. Maehle gets in behind down the right and sends a cross towards the near post, where Skriniar is waiting to nod it clear.22:26
79'
Luis Muriel has scored five goals against Inter in Serie A, but none in three matches with Atalanta prior to today. Since the beginning of 2021, only Inter's Romelu Lukaku (13 - seven goals and six assists) has been involved in more goals than the Colombian in Serie A (12 - eight goals and four assists).22:24
77'
Sanchez, who many expected to start today, is on for the final stages. Martinez is the player to make way.22:22
77'
Conte makes a double change, with Gagliardini on for Brozovic in the first of those substitutions.22:22
76'
SAVE! Muriel drives a low shot on target and Handanovic is equal to it at his near post. Can Inter really afford to sit this deep with around 15 minutes still to go?22:21
75'
Zapata has an ice pack on his knee, explaining the decision to take him off. Atalanta have had more of the ball and managed more shots than Inter - nine to five - but they need to start testing Handanovic if they are to claim a point.22:20
73'
A third change for Atalanta now as Miranchuk replaces Pessina.22:18
72'
All the momentum is with Atalanta at the moment as Djimsiti glances Ilicic's free-kick wide. However, the visitors have yet to register an attempt on target in the second half.22:16
70'
Zapata, who has twice come close to scoring for Atalanta, makes way for Muriel with 20 minutes to go.22:14
69'
INCHES WIDE! Zapata takes a couple of touches to set himself after receiving the ball from Pessina and fires into the side-netting. That was very close!22:15
68'
Martinez has what should be a pretty simple pass into space for Lukaku but goes the wrong way. Conte is screaming at his players down on the touchline.22:15
67'
Handanovic gathers another overhit throughball. Zapata was challenged on the edge of the box shortly before that but Atalanta did not get a free-kick.22:12
65'
Freuler's cross is met by Gosens but the header is off target. Gasperini may be tempted to turn to his bench again with around 25 minutes to play.22:08
63'
Martinez overhits a pass for Barella and the midfielder is not happy with his team-mate. Inter have looked a lot better since Eriksen was introduced, giving them more of an attacking edge.22:07
61'
Atalanta have scored at least three goals in 12 league games this season, which is a joint-record in the top five European leagues this campaign alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.22:05
59'
Romero is cautioned for a high foot. He did not catch Martinez, but the referee is right to book the Atalanta defender.22:04
58'
CHANCE FOR LUKAKU! Djimsiti slips and that allows Lukaku to race through. He has time to set himself for the shot but Romero does superbly to get back and tackle the Inter striker before he can pull the trigger.22:03
56'
Inter win another corner, which Djimsiti is able to deal with on this occasion. Gasperini will be incredibly frustrated with the defending for that opening Inter goal.22:02
54'
Bastoni wanted a penalty for a challenge in the box but defensive team-mate Skriniar fired in anyway.22:01
54'
GOOOOAAAALLL!!! INTER 1-0 ATALANTA!! The visitors are unable to deal with a corner and Skriniar fires the loose ball into the bottom-left corner from eight yards to give Inter a lead they do not exactly deserve.
Vidal is off and Eriksen on in a change Conte perhaps could have done with making at half-time.03:18
52'
Martinez turns beautifully but is blocked from continuing his run into the box by Romero, who clips the South American forward's heels.21:58
50'
De Roon takes the ball away from Barella at full stretch to halt Inter's counter before it could truly begin. Muriel has been sent to warm up for the visitors, who look as though they are here for all three points.21:55
48'
Ilicic has been heavily involved since coming on. He has a shot from 20 yards blocked and is then very nearly played through, but an Inter player intercepts the ball in the box.21:53
46'
RESTART! Atalanta, who will move into the top four as things stand, get us back under way at San Siro.21:50
46'
Atalanta have made a change at the interval, with Ilicic on for Malinovskiy in attack.21:50
Conte's decision to start with Vidal over Eriksen has not really worked so far, and the Inter coach may well be tempted to make a change at the interval. Sanchez is another option for the home team, while Atalanta have Ilicic and Muriel among their subs. This one is surely not finishing 0-0.21:36
Inter and Atalanta go into half-time goalless. There was only one real chance of note in the opening 45 minutes - Zapata's header being brilliantly kept out by Handanovic from point-blank range. The home team have yet to create any clear-cut opportunities of note.21:35
45'+1'
HALF-TIME: INTER 0-0 ATALANTA21:33
45'
Perisic plays a low cross towards the edge of the six-yard box. Lukaku gets in front of his man but is unable to make contact with Perisic's pass.21:32
44'
Inter win a corner of their own. The set-piece is dealt with, as is the second cross into the box.21:30
43'
Zapata cannot quite turn Maehle's cross on target. Atalanta are ending the first half on top and look good value for a breakthrough goal.21:29
42'
OFF THE LINE! Atalanta threaten from the next corner, too, with Brozovic clearing Djimsiti's attempt underneath the crossbar.21:49
41'
WHAT A SAVE!! This is superb from Handanovic! Zapata gets on the end of a corner eight yards out but Handanovic produces a great one-handed reaction save to deny the Atalanta man.21:27
39'
Zapata has a bit of space to run into 30 yards from the Inter goal. He perhaps could have carried it further and taken on the shot, but the attacker instead played it to Gosens on his left and the cross was intercepted.21:25
37'
Not for the first time, Djimsiti cynically stops an Inter attack from developing high up the pitch. Lukaku is the latest victim and is not best pleased.21:23
35'
Sportiello comfortably deals with a cross in the box before Lukaku can pounce. That followed a promising, albeit rare, attacking move from Inter.21:21
33'
Conte's decision to go with Vidal over Eriksen does not appear to have paid off so far. Inter are unable to play the ball through the middle of the park and are inviting pressure onto themselves.21:20
31'
Inter are struggling to build any sort of momentum. Atalanta, on the other hand, are enjoying the odd promising moment as Zapata sends a shot high and wide.21:17
29'
Zapata does well to get away from his man down the left, but he is unable to pick out a team-mate in the middle. This has turned into an open contest all of a sudden.21:15
28'
CHANCE FOR INTER! Lukaku carries the ball forward down the middle and is as good as through on goal, but Djimsiti sticks with his opponent and makes a decisive interception in the box before the Inter striker can shoot. Djimsiti then charges down Martinez's follow-up.21:14
26'
A nervy moment for Vidal as his clearance ricochets off a sliding Freuler and flashes wide.21:12
25'
Neither side has managed a shot on target with more than a quarter of the contest played. Lukaku sticks out a leg to divert a cross goalwards but it trickles through for Sportiello to gather.21:11
23'
The visitors have dominated possession over the last five minutes, but they have very little to show for it. Play is temporarily halted following a clash of heads between Martinez and Maehle.21:08
21'
Atalanta have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three away Serie A games. Only twice have they had a longer streak on the road in the top flight - in 1997 and 2016 (four in both cases).21:06
19'
Zapata takes the ball past Skriniar but then flashes a shot-cross wide of the target. Atalanta are getting in some good positions.21:06
17'
ALMOST AN OWN GOAL! This would have been a classic own goal. Under pressure from Lukaku, Romero lifts the ball back towards goal but clearly does not realise that Sportiello is off his line. The Atalanta keeper backpedals and headers over the bar.21:02
15'
I can only assume Conte was unhappy with the awarding of a corner, though quite why he was so worked up is anyone's guess.21:00
14'
CONTE YELLOW CARDED! The Inter head coach is unhappy with something and is given a telling off by the referee. Despite being repeatedly warned, he continues to argue back and is issued with a yellow card.20:59
12'
A well-worked Atalanta attack culminates in Gosens playing a pass across the face of goal. It is crying out to be helped over the line but nobody can get a touch.20:57
10'
The home team are looking to play quick balls in behind. Atalanta, who like Inter are operating with a 3-5-2 formation today, have been alert to the danger thus far.20:56
8'
Inter are not being allowed to settle down due to Atalanta's pressing. Martinez is slipped in inside the box but Romero intercepts.20:54
6'
De Roon overhits an attempted throughball for Zapata. There has been very little between the sides in the opening stages.20:52
4'
Zapata is given a long ball to chase down but Skriniar gets to it first. Atalanta do at least win a corner from their first attacking move, though the set-piece is rather disappointing.20:51
2'
Perisic is played into acres of space down the left with 20 seconds on the clock. He attempts to bring it inside but is prevented from doing so and has to settle for a corner, which is cleared away.20:48
1'
KICK-OFF! Inter, who can move six points clear at the top with victory today, get us up and running at San Siro.20:47
Both sets of players are out on the field at San Siro and kick-off is just a few moments away in this battle between the division's two most in-form sides.20:43
Inter have won only one of their last six matches against Atalanta in Serie A (D4 L1) - since 2018, Roma are the only other Serie A side they are yet to beat.20:30
Gasperini has made three changes to Atalanta's starting line-up following their 5-1 win against Crotone five days ago. Muriel and Ilicic have surprisingly been named among the subs today, meaning starts up top for Malinovskiy and the returning Zapata. Palomino is the other player to make way, with Toloi and De Roon earning recalls.20:28
Inter show two changes from their 2-1 win at Parma last Thursday. Sanchez scored twice in that game but drops to the bench today, with Martinez getting the nod alongside Lukaku up top, while Vidal takes over from Eriksen in central midfield.20:24
Subs: Sam Lammers, Davide Ghislandi, Jose Luis Palomino, Josip Ilicic, Viktor Kovalenko, Mattia Caldara, Mario Pasalic, Matteo Ruggeri, Luis Muriel, Pierluigi Gollini, Francesco Rossi, Aleksey Miranchuk.20:21
ATALANTA XI (3-5-2): Marco Sportiello; Cristian Romero, Berat Djimsiti, Rafael Toloi (c); Joakim Maehle, Remo Freuler, Matteo Pessina, Marten de Roon, Robin Gosens; Ruslan Malinovskiy, Duvan Zapata.20:21
Subs: Andrea Ranocchia, Matias Vecino, Matteo Darmian, Alexis Sanchez, Aleksandar Kolarov, Roberto Gagliardini, Ionut Radu, Christian Eriksen, Danilo D'Ambrosio, Ashley Young, Andrea Pinamonti, Stefano Sensi.20:18
INTER XI (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic (c); Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Achraf Hakimi, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Arturo Vidal, Ivan Perisic; Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martínez.20:18
Atalanta also enter this game in good form thanks to a run of four league wins in a row, most recently thumping Crotone 5-1 last Wednesday. Gian Piero Gasperin's charges are fifth in Serie A and can move level on points with third-placed Juventus with a victory today.20:15
Inter have won their last six league matches and are three points clear of second-placed Milan - who they recently usurped at the top - with this game in hand to play. At home, meanwhile, Antonio Conte's side have won nine in a row in the top flight - their best-such streak since May 2011 when winning 13 on the spin.20:15
Welcome to our live text coverage of the Serie A clash between Inter and Atalanta at San Siro.20:10
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori20:10
Inter - Atalanta is a match of 26 day of the season Serie A 2020/2021. The match will be 8 march at 20:45 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Inter - Atalanta will be Maurizio Mariani with the help of Daniele Bindoni e Davide Imperiale. At VAR there will be Paolo Valeri.
Currently Inter is 1° in the standings with 62 points (thanks of 19 wins, 5 draws and 2 defeats); while Atalanta is 5° in the standings with 49 points (thanks of 14 wins, 7 pareggi and 5 sconfitte). Inter scored 63 goals and conceded 25; Atalanta scored 60 goals and conceded 33. The first leg Atalanta - Inter was played on 8 november 2020 and it ended on a 1-1 score.
At home Inter scored 34 points (11 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss). Away Atalanta scored 25 points (7 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss). Inter in the last three matches of the season challenged Genoa, Parma and Atalant obtaining 9 points thanks to 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. Atalanta in the last three matches of the season challenged Napoli, Sampdoria and Crotone obtaining 9 points thanks to 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. In the last match Inter was against Atalanta winning 1-0 while Atalanta was against Crotone winning 5-1.
Inter and Atalanta competed 119 times in the league. In the previous matches Inter won 63 times, Atalanta won 24 times while the number of draw was 32.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Inter-Atalanta You can see the live match Inter-Atalanta here on Virgilio Sport starting 20:45 CET of 8 march. Discover who will broadcast live Inter - Atalanta between Sky and Dazn.
