Atalanta vs Internazionale Preview

November 10, 2012 By Gregory Sica

Having upset Juventus last weekend, the Nerazzuri will be after another road win against what are expected to be difficult opposition.

Inter Milan will be hoping to remain on the heels of league leaders Juventus by picking up a positive result in what is likely to be a tricky visit to Bergamo.

Andrea Stramaccioni's side have been in sensational form in recent weeks and come into the clash after having downed Partizan Belgrade 3-1 in the Europa League.

Inter, who are evidently Juventus' main contenders for the Scudetto this season after having brought La Vecchia Signora's extraordinary 49-game unbeaten record to an abrupt end with a 3-1 win last weekend, will definitely rate their chances of returning from the Azzurri d'Italia with the three points.

However, in order to achieve this first they must not underestimate what are expected to be difficult opponents. Atalanta are unbeaten in their last four games with three wins and one draw and are extremely tough nuts to crack when playing in front of their home fans.

Last season the Orobici held Inter to two draws, both at the Azzurri d'Italia and the San Siro, and will be looking to go a step better this time around.

Stefano Colantuono, the coach of Atalanta, is expected to name an identical starting eleven as to the one that featured in the 2-1 victory at Sampdoria last weekend. Once again German Denis will be Atalanta's lone striker, with fellow Argentine Maximiliano Moralez playing in a deeper attacking role.

Stramaccioni rested a number of his key players against Partizan midweek, so will count with a fresh side where in-form attacker Rodrigo Palacio, who scored twice against the Serbs, will play behind strikers Diego Milito and Antonio Cassano.

Dutch international Wesley Sneijder continues to remain sidelined, but the playmaker is expected to be back in action in the next couple of weeks. The Nerazzuri haven't missed the Dutchman all that much, and it is unknown as to whether he will regain his spot in the team once he's back to full fitness.

Inter come into the clash as the clear favourites, not only because they have won their last ten road games in all competitions, but because all three of their attackers have been ruthless when presented with goal-scoring opportunities this season.