The two teams came into the match level on points and knew that a win could see them enter the FIFA World Cup break in the top-four, depending on results elsewhere. It was a subdued start to the game though, with a lot of niggly fouls being committed. It wasn’t until around the quarter-hour mark that Atalanta began to take control of proceedings and tested André Onana twice in quick succession. First, Teun Koopmeiners was picked out at the back post, but his effort was tipped behind for a corner, from which José Palomino had a header brilliantly saved by the Cameroon goalkeeper.
Atalanta’s pressure was ramping up though, and it paid off as Stefan de Vrij brought Duván Zapata down in the box midway through the half. Ademola Lookman stepped up and smashed the penalty into the top corner for his seventh goal of the season - the best return in his career so far. The goal seemed to finally wake Inter up, and they equalised shortly before HT as their two strikers expertly combined. Lautaro Martínez nodded Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s cross towards Edin Džeko, who was left criminally unmarked just a few yards in front of goal, and he made no mistake flicking it in to send the sides into the HT break on level terms.
Inter came out a much-improved side in the second half, and took the lead 10 minutes in, though it came under fortuitous circumstances. Federico Di Marco’s cross ricocheted off an Atalanta defender onto Džeko's knee and it creeped over the line. The Nerazzurri then doubled their lead on the hour mark, once again coming with a stroke of luck. A corner was flicked on by Martínez and Palomino inadvertently headed the ball into his own goal.
Two goals in quick succession completely changed the dynamic of the game as Atalanta began to commit more men forward in an attempt to reduce the deficit. They did just that with just over 10 minutes remaining as Palomino made up for his earlier OG, with a sublime diving header - setting up a tense finale. Simone Inzaghi’s side held onto their slender lead though, wrapping up all three points in their final outing of the year.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Edin Džeko (Inter Milan)
