Inter took to the San Siro pitch tonight to face their bogey team, Atalanta. The Nerazzurri had not beaten the visiting side at home since 2010 and were looking to break the hold that the Bergamo side held over them.
The match had its share of ups and downs, including two spectacular goals from Inter, but unfortunately starlet striker Mauro Icardi was substituted during the match due to a sustained injury.
Hopefully the young Argentine striker's injury is not serious and Inter get him back sooner than later, especially with the run of games going into early October.
Lineups:
Inter: Handanovic, Ranocchia, Vidic, Juan, Jonathan, Guarin, Medel, Kovacic, Dodo, Palacio, Icardi
Atalanta: Sportiello, Zappacosta, Benalouane, Cherubin, Dramè, Estigarribia, Carmona, Cigarini, D'Alessandro, Moralez, Bianchi
Match Summary:
Inter sprinted out of the starting blocks and almost opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Gary Medel unleashed an effort that narrowly missed the top corner.
The Nerazzurri continued to push forward and should have been rewarded, but Nemanja Vidic shook the crossbar with a bullet header.
However, the positive vibes around San Siro dissipated quickly after Mauro Icardi limped off with an injury in the 25th minute and was replaced with Pablo Osvaldo.
Not soon after, Andrea Ranocchia was impeded in the box and the referee wasted no time pointing to the penalty spot. Rodrigo Palacio stepped up, but his shot was punched away by Marco Sportiello.
The opening half hour was a rollercoaster, as the Nerazzurri hit the crossbar, missed a penalty and saw their star striker limp off with an injury all in the first half-hour.
It was hard not to think of the hoodoo Atalanta has had over Inter in recent years. However, Osvaldo erased those bad feelings in one swipe of the foot as he volleyed brilliantly past Sportiello five minutes before the half-time interval.
Nerazzurri Nation could breathe a sigh of relief as Walter Mazzarri's men went into the break 1-0 to the good.
Inter almost doubled its advantage early in the second frame, but Palacio's low drive hit the post.
Hernanes replaced Fredy Guarin in the 65th minute and jumped right into the fray as his shot rolled wide of the post.
Atalanta missed a golden opportunity to level matters when Marcelo Estigarribia nodded wide from close range.
The Nerazzurri were on the back foot and had to soak up some pressure as Gomez hammered a shot that went wide of the target.
German Denis made his much-feared entrance into the game but luckily, he was a non-factor much to the relief of the San Siro faithful.
Inter put the match to bed when Osvaldo won a free kick on the edge of the area and Hernanes stepped up and lashed a laser beam past Sportiello to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage.
The Nerazzurri repelled everything that came their way to remain unbeaten in Serie A after four rounds.
Goal scorers:
1st half: Osvaldo 40'
2nd half: Hernanes 86'