Inter Milan sent a powerful message to their Serie A rivals on Friday, demolishing Atalanta 4-0 in a dominant display at the San Siro. The victory propelled the reigning Italian champions to the top of the league table, albeit provisionally, as they continue their strong start to the new campaign.
The Nerazzurri wasted no time asserting their dominance, taking the lead in just the third minute when Atalanta’s Berat Djimsiti inadvertently diverted Marcus Thuram’s low cross into his own net. The early setback seemed to rattle Atalanta, and Inter capitalized quickly, with Nicolo Barella doubling the lead seven minutes later with a spectacular volley.
Inter’s relentless pressure continued throughout the match, with French forward Marcus Thuram emerging as the standout performer. Thuram, who has quickly become a key figure in Simone Inzaghi’s side, added two more goals in the second half, finding the net in the 47th and 56th minutes to complete the rout.
“We’ve only played three matches, it’s not a message for anyone. We played very well against a very difficult team. We’re happy,” Thuram modestly told DAZN after the match, downplaying the significance of the result this early in the season.
The comprehensive victory will be a source of concern for Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. His team, which entered the season with high expectations after winning the Europa League last term, appeared overwhelmed by Inter’s intensity and attacking prowess.
Gasperini acknowledged the impact of the early goals on his team’s morale, stating, “The first 10 minutes had a big impact on the morale of the team… I think our season will truly start after the international break.” He also pointed to the recent arrivals of new players and the need for time to integrate them into the squad.
The result leaves Inter level on points with Torino at the top of Serie A, both teams having accumulated seven points from their opening fixtures. Torino secured their position with a dramatic 1-0 win at Venezia, courtesy of a late header from Saul Coco.
As the Serie A season unfolds, attention now turns to other key fixtures. Juventus has the opportunity to reclaim the top spot if they can maintain their perfect start against Roma on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Napoli, buoyed by the recent signings of Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay, prepare to host Parma on Saturday, and AC Milan will look to jumpstart their campaign in an away fixture against Lazio.
Inter’s emphatic victory serves as a reminder of their title-defending credentials and sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive Serie A season. As teams jockey for position in these early stages, Inter’s performance against Atalanta has certainly raised the bar for their competitors.
