Interistas Milan won 2-0 against Atalanta, thanks to a brace from Denzel Dumfries, in a match held on Thursday in Riyadh. This victory allows them to qualify for the final of the Italian Super Cup.
This clash pitted the defending champion against the current leader of Serie A, who are only separated by one point in the championship. However, the meeting turned out to be less contested than expected, with Atalanta having surprised by leaving two of its stars, Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere, on the bench.
When their coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, finally brought on these two players in the 56th minute, the Bergamo team was already 1-0 behind, a goal scored by Dumfries from a corner in the 49th minute.
The Dutch midfielder then scored Inter’s second goal in the 61st minute, with a masterful strike that dashed the ‘Dea’s hopes.
“We wanted to reach the final and I saw my team focused. I am very satisfied because it is never easy with so many trips and matches, but the boys showed their character and were motivated,” celebrated Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.
The defeat could have been more severe for Atalanta without the many remarkable interventions of its goalkeeper, Marco Carnesecchi, who particularly stood up to the attempts of Lautaro Martínez and Federico Dimarco.
This setback puts an end to the ambitions of Atalanta, who had chained eleven victories and a draw in their last twelve Serie A matches, to win a new trophy, after those of the Italian Cup in 1963 and the Europa League in 2024.
For its part, Inter Milan, which has won the last three editions of the Italian “Supercoppa”, will face in the final on Monday the winner of the second semi-final, which will oppose Juventus (champion of the last Cup of Nations) on Friday. Italy) to AC Milan (vice-champion of the last Serie A).
During this match, Portuguese Sergio Conceiçao will make his debut as Milan’s new coach, after replacing his compatriot Paulo Fonseca.
For the fifth time, the Italian Super Cup is taking place in Saudi Arabia, an event which has evolved from a single match format between two teams to a mini-tournament involving four clubs since 2023.
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This match highlights not only Inter’s competitiveness, but also the constant challenge of managing a team with stars on the bench. Tactical choices can determine the course of a match, and this match offered a glimpse into the sometimes strange but strategic decisions of teams. How can these choices influence the long-term dynamic in a championship as competitive as Serie A?
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