Inter vs Atalanta: Serie A's two best attacking sides face off on March 8, 2021 live in 200+ countries

March 8, 2021 By Ali M.

Topics: TV Schedules, Inter Milan, Atalanta, Serie A

The Nerazzurri aim to maintain their march towards the Scudetto while La Dea look to return to the top four. Here's a preview of Inter Milan vs Atalanta.

Inter Milan vs Atalanta – preview

Serie A leaders Inter Milan are gearing up for a crucial league game in their quest to win their Scudetto since the Mourinho era, with Antonio Conte's side set to face Atalanta on Monday. Kick-off for this fixture is scheduled at 2:45 p.m. ET as Italy's two best attacking teams look to get the better of each other in their Stadio Giuseppe Meazza encounter.

The Nerazzurri are currently the favorites to win the Italian top-flight for obvious reasons. Lukaku and Co. sit only three points ahead of second-placed AC Milan but would stretch their advantage to six points with a win and given their current form, they should be able to defend that lead and lift Scudetto.

Conte's men are unbeaten in their last nine league outings and have won their last six Serie A fixtures. This streak includes convincing back-to-back triumphs over Lazio and city rivals AC Milan towards the end of last month, with the Nerazzurri scoring six times across those two match-ups while conceding only once. Furthermore, there is the fact that Inter Milan have won each of their last nine home league games.

Another factor going in Inter's favor is the form of their three forward: Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez, and Alexis Sanchez. Lukaku is the club's top scorer, having netted 18 times in Serie A this season while contributing eight goals in his last four appearances (scored four, assisted four). His Argentine buddy was dropped in the recent win over Parma but this was not due to form but rather a need to rest the highly-rated 23-year-old. The Chilean deputized in Lautaro's absence and did extremely well, scoring both goals in the midweek triumph.

Conte's side are the best attack in the league, with no Italian top-flight side outscoring their tally of 62 goals this season. However, Atalanta are a close second, with the fifth-placed side netting a whopping 60 times, nine more than Juventus and Roma and 10 more than AC Milan. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have won all but one of their last six fixtures, with that sole defeat coming in the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid, meaning form is also on their side.

The visitors sit outside a UCL berth but only temporarily as victory at the San Siro would take them above Roma and into the fourth spot. Defeat would leave La Dea in a dangerous situation as they would be only two points ahead of Napoli having played a game extra. This should make for an interesting showdown with the league leaders.

Team news

Inter Milan: Conte has a fully-fit squad to choose from. Alexis Sanchez is likely to return to the bench despite his match-winning brace against Parma, with Lautaro Martinez destined to return to the lineup. Ashley Young and Vidal will be vying for a start but it remains to be seen whether they can displace Eriksen and Perisic in the lineup.

Atalanta: Hans Hateboer remains absent for the visitors while Sam Lammers, Bosko Sutalo and Viktor Kovalenko are all doubts. Matteo Pessina, Josip Ilicic and Duvan Zapata will likely return to the lineup.

Key stats

Inter Milan have won their last five league games and last five Italian top-flight home matches.
Atalanta are unbeaten in their last nine away league fixtures.
The Nerazzurri haven't lost in any of their last six home encounters with La Dea.