Dumfries, with a brace, brought down Atalanta and propelled Inter into the Super Cup final after a dominant performance from the kick-off.
Inter have once again confirmed their status as a formidable opponent for Atalanta. The Nerazzurri validated their place in the final of the Italian Super Cup (where they will face the winner of Juve-Milan) with a deserved 2-0 victory over the Bergamo team, who failed to show their usual football intense and spectacular. Gasperini’s side created few chances and struggled for much of the match against the quality of Simone Inzaghi’s side.
Gasperini chose to start without Lookman or De Ketelaere, deploying Samardzic as a false nine, supported by Brescinanini and Zaniolo. That strategy took time to create danger against an Inter side that started strong and nearly opened the scoring in the first three minutes through Mkhitaryan, whose shot was blocked by Zappacosta. After another chance for Lautaro, who was thwarted by Carnesecchi’s sharp reflexes, La Dea began to threaten the opposition area but wasted a huge chance with Scalvini. The central defender, alone against Sommer, sucked weakly after an error from Bastoni. Carnesecchi, his team’s best player, continued his impressive performance with a brace of saves against Lautaro and Dimarco. The Argentinian was the player most sought after by his teammates, who on several occasions opted to assist him rather than shoot directly at goal. However, Lautaro, who had scored seven goals in 22 games before this encounter, was not precise in front of goal.
Read more:
Inter Milan triumph over Atalanta to become first Italian Super Cup finalists
At the start of the second half, Dumfries opened the scoring. The full-back scored the first goal just five minutes into the half with a spectacular acrobatic effort following a corner deflected by Bisseck. Moreover, in the 61st minute, he capped a quick Nerazzurri transition with a powerful first-time shot that hit the crossbar before rattling the net. Gasperini tried to change the course of the match by bringing in Lookman, De Ketelaere and Ederson. The latter found the net for 2-1 in the 72nd minute after a mix-up in the area, but the goal was canceled for offside after a VAR check. It was the only scare for an Inter team which subsequently managed the score without further shocks, apart from a double save from Sommer from a corner in the 91st minute. Additionally, the Nerazzurri had several chances to seal the match. The clash between the two most in-form teams in Calcio delivered a very clear verdict: the champion remains the best.
