Reigning Coppa Italia champions Inter Milan will host Atalanta on Tuesday night at San Siro in the tournament’s quarterfinals. The Nerazzurri are aiming for back-to-back Coppa Italian trophies.
Atalanta hit a slump in November but since the return of football following the FIFA World Cup, they have been in solid form. La Dea are unbeaten in six straight games in all competitions with four of those matches ending as wins.
Inter go into the match fresh off a come-from-behind 2-1 win away to Cremonese. The win came following a shock defeat against Empoli at San Siro in Serie A play.
The Nerazzurri were nearly eliminated in the last 16 and needed a strong comeback to defeat Serie B’s Parma. Inter trailed 1-0 at the San Siro and needed a late goal to force extra time.
Lautaro Martinez scored in the 88th minute to give Inter hope of progressing. Francesco Acerbi scored for Inter midway through extra time to send Inter into the quarterfinals against Atalanta.
Inter are unbeaten in eight straight games versus Atalanta. Five of those eight games ended in draws, while Inter picked up three wins. Earlier this season, the Nerazzurri defeated Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium 3-2 in a thrilling fixture.
Atalanta opened the scoring from the penalty spot thanks to a goal from Ademola Lookman. Edin Dzeko then scored twice to give Inter the lead and a Jose Palomino own goal gave Inter a 3-1 lead. Palomino then scored for Atalanta to make the match 3-2.
Atalanta are in good form and they play far better on the road than at home. La Dea have an away record of 6W-3D-1L, with 18 goals for and 10 against. Inter are strong at home, with a record of 10W-1D-3L.
Gian Piero Gasperini has two players on the injury list ahead of the match. Defender Palomino has a leg injury and is out of action until February. Midfielder Davide Zappacosta is out with a hamstring injury and won’t play until February.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has two players out of action. Goalkeeper Samir Handanovic is out until February with a muscle injury. Marcelo Brozovic won’t play following a calf issue.
Inter and Atalanta drew five of their last eight games. The Nerazzurri nearly went out of the tournament in the last 16 and needed extra time to win the tie against Parma.
Two of Inter’s last three games in all competitions at San Siro ended without wins.
Tuesday’s Coppa Italia quarterfinal should finish as a draw. Inter and Atalanta should end 1-1 with extra time needed for one of these sides to progress.
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