Atalanta drew an entertaining game 1-1 with Inter at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on Tuesday night in Serie A.
German Denis’ seventh career goal against Inter was enough to ensure that Atalanta remain unbeaten against the Nerazzurri home and away since 2010 as his first-half strike cancelled out Ricky Alvarez’ opener.
A lively start from the Orobici set the tone for an entertaining match in which both sides created plenty of chances to take victory in Bergamo.
Hosts Atalanta who should have taken the lead inside the first 10 minutes when Samir Handanovic struggled to deal with a Luca Cigarini free-kick, however, as the ball ricocheted perfectly for Michele Canini he headed towards the empty net only for the returning Fredy Guarin to clear off the line.
Instead it was Inter who went ahead on 16 minutes against the run of play. As Mateo Kovacic delivered the ball into the box Rodrigo Palacio, knowing he was too far from goal, knocked down to Alvarez who controlled and shot through the legs of Guglielmo Stendardo past Andrea Consigli.
However, that failed to subdue the Orobici and they nearly replied moments later when another great delivery from Cigarini found the unmarked Mario Yepes just yards from goal, only for the Colombian to head wide.
On 25 minutes Atalanta were level, Denis outmuscling fellow Argentinean Walter Samuel as the pair rose on the penalty spot to meet a Maxi Moralez cross from the right and placed his header expertly past Handanovic.
With Stefano Colantuono’s side continuing to press the Nerazzurri, Walter Mazzarri took a risk leaving Handanovic on the pitch after the keeper had obviously injured his right hip, however, after another cross broke to the edge of the Inter box he managed to get down quickly enough to deny Carmona’s effort.
Their insistence on taking the game to the visitors did run the risk of the counter from Inter and just before half-time Yuto Nagatomo hit the Atalanta post after meeting a deep Guarin cross.
It was the Biscione who had the first chance of the second half as Esteban Cambiasso stepped out of his deep lying midfield position to strike from distance at Consigli who, in the heavily falling rain, chose to palm away for a corner.
30 minutes from time Inter had the ball in the net again by Alvarez, however, his flick to Palacio during the build-up was correctly judged offside.
Inter substitute Mauro Icardi nearly made an instant impact on 73 minutes as he left Yepes flat footed when turning inside the defender on the edge of the box, but his drive cannoned off the foot of Consigli’s left hand post.
Despite having the better of the second half chances it was the hosts who nearly left with all three points when more poor defending left Yepes yards from goal once more, but although he hit the target this time his shot was straight at the legs of replacement keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
