Preview: Inter Milan vs. Atalanta BC
A place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals will be at stake when holders Inter Milan play host to Atalanta BC on Tuesday.
Inter have lost only one of their last nine matches in all competitions, while Atalanta are unbeaten in six competitive games.
Inter have already added one trophy to their collection this season, winning the Italian Super Cup earlier this month with a comfortable 3-0 victory over their rivals AC Milan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
They earned their place in the Super Cup by winning last year’s Coppa Italia, and they are looking to win the cup competition in back-to-back seasons, something that they achieved in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns.
After suffering a surprise defeat to Empoli, Simone Inzaghi’s side returned to winning ways last weekend, securing a narrow 2-1 away victory over Cremonese thanks to a Lautaro Martinez brace.
The win leaves Inter in second place, but with 13 points separating them from league leaders Napoli, they will recognise that the Coppa Italia and the Champions League represent their best hopes of winning more silverware this term.
Inter have already beaten Atalanta during the current campaign, recording a 3-2 league away league victory when the two sides met in November, and after progressing to the last four of the Coppa Italia in each of the last three seasons, they will be confident of securing their place in the semi-finals.
Atalanta rounded off 2022 with four defeats in five games, but they have rediscovered their best form since the winter break, embarking on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Impressively, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have racked up 22 goals in that six-game period, where they have recorded four victories and two draws.
La Dea also managed to keep their first clean sheet since October at the weekend, with goals from Joakim Maehle and Ademola Lookman guiding them to a 2-0 home win over Sampdoria.
Atalanta are currently well positioned in fourth place, but they will put their quest for Champions League qualification on hold to focus on the Coppa Italia, as they dream of winning the competition for a second time after previously lifting the trophy in 1963.
Although they were eliminated by Fiorentina at the quarter-final stage last season, Atalanta have reached the semi-finals in three of the last five seasons.
Inter Milan Coppa Italia form:
W
Inter Milan form (all competitions):
DWWWLW
Atalanta BC Coppa Italia form:
W
Atalanta BC form (all competitions):
DWWWDW
We say: Inter Milan 3-2 Atalanta BC (after extra time)
Atalanta are in a free-scoring mood, and we expect them to continue their impressive form in front of goal against Inter.
However, after conceding at least two goals in each of their last three competitive away games, they may struggle to keep Inter at bay, and although we an entertaining game will finish level after 90 minutes, we believe that the hosts will edge out Atalanta in extra time.