Inter Milan vs Atalanta

Inter Milan and Atalanta Bergamo meet at the San Siro in a clash of sides who had their respective matches postponed in Round 12. The nerozzurri were scheduled to play host to Lazio while Atalanta were to have done the same against AC Milan. Inter remain unbeaten on the season and are the only side with that distinction left in Serie A. Atalanta are off to a promising start themselves and currently occupy on of the UEFA Cup slots in the league table.

Inter’s undefeated record has seen them amass 25 points through 11 matches which are the product of 7 wins with 4 draws. They have a superb goal difference of 22 goals scored and only 7 conceded. That defensive record is currently tops in the league. They maintain a 2 point edge on second place Fiorentina. The Bergamaschi are in 6^th place with 18 points which are the product of 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. They are within 4 points of 5^th place Udinese and are just ahead of Palermo on goal difference.

Inter’s last match came in Round 11 when they were able to hold out for a 1-1 draw away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. Atalanta are coming off of a big win away from home when they scored a 1-2 victory at Catania’s Stadio Carlo Castellani. Both sides feature players in the top 3 of the Serie A scoring table with Inter’s Ibrahimovic tied for 2^nd place with 7 goals while Doni represents Atalanta in a 3^rd place tie with 6 goals.

There are a couple of concerns for Del Neri as he prepares his squad for the match against Inter. In addition to the suspended De Ascentis, defender Rivalta has a slight muscle strain which could keep him out. Should he not be able to start Del Neri will need to choose between Balleri or Manfredini.

Roberto Mancini will be getting some key players back this week as Christian Chivu and Marco Materazzi are both available off of the bench. First choice keeper Francesco Toldo is still out the Brazilian Julio Cesar is coming off of a monumental performance in Brazil’s win over Uruguay earlier in the week and should be fine in his place. Walter Samuel will start alongside Ivan Cordoba in central defense with Materazzi on the bench.

Atalanta have proven to be a quality club this season and have only lost 1 match in 6 on the road this year. Inter are extremely tough to beat but that does not mean that Del Neri will not find a way to at least keep it close.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)