Inter Milan advanced to the final of the Supercoppa Italiana with a convincing 2-0 victory over Atalanta at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. The match highlighted Inter’s attacking prowess, particularly showcasing the talents of wingback Denzel Dumfries, who scored both goals for his team.
The match kicked off with both teams showcasing their tactical setups; Inter lined up with their familiar 3-5-2 formation, led by coach Simone Inzaghi, who opted for Yann Sommer in goal and paired Lautaro Martínez with Marcus Thuram up front. Atalanta, under Gian Piero Gasperini, fielded its own concoction of youth and experience, featuring key players like Nicolò Zaniolo and Sead Kolašinac.
Despite the efforts from both sides, the first half ended without goals. Inter controlled much of the proceedings, but Atalanta's goalkeeper, Marco Carnesecchi, was exceptional, making several key saves to keep his side level. One of the highlights of the first half was when Lautaro missed a golden opportunity, with Carnesecchi again denying the Argentine.
Returning for the second half, Inter quickly capitalized on their momentum. Just minutes after the restart, Dumfries leaped to the occasion, scoring the opening goal at the 49th minute. He netted the goal after a corner taken by Inter, which saw defender Bisseck nod the ball down for Dumfries, who executed an acrobatic finish. Atalanta’s protests for a foul on Scalvini went unheeded by referee Daniele Chiffi, who allowed the goal to stand after checking with VAR.
Just twelve minutes later, Dumfries struck again, stunning the Atalanta defense with another well-placed shot, which rifled off the crossbar before nestling securely in the net. It was clear at this point how much Inter had capitalized on Atalanta's defensive weaknesses.
Atalanta fought back, with Ederson finding the net at the 72nd minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside, much to the frustration of the Atalanta bench. Gasperini lamented, "It was disappointing to see our goal disallowed again, especially since we worked hard to get back in the game," showcasing the emotional rollercoaster of cup competitions.
The second-half blitz from Inter also was marked by incredible resilience from Carnesecchi, who kept Atalanta’s hopes alive with several difficult saves throughout the match. This allowed Atalanta to stay within reach until Dumfries's second goal cemented the match.
"We studied every detail; we know it's complicated," said Dumfries post-match, reflecting on their preparations leading to the semifinal. The win ensures Inter's progression to the Supercoppa final, where they will look to not only reclaim the title but also set a record of four consecutive Supercoppa victories—a feat never achieved before.
Looking forward, this match signified more than just progression; it reiterated Inter's dominance over Atalanta, having secured six consecutive victories against them, which fuels their confidence moving forward. The historical significance of this victory cannot be understated, as they are now on the brink of becoming the first club to win four Supercoppa trophies consecutively.
Indeed, this iteration of Serie A football not only resonates with competitive spirit but also tells tales of tactical depth and player development, epitomized by young talents on both sides. While Inter will savor this moment and prepare for the final against either Juventus or AC Milan, Atalanta will seek to rebound and learn from this challenging knockout experience as they remain strong contenders in Serie A.
With the match concluded, excitement builds for the next chapter of the Supercoppa Italiana as Inter eye yet another title to add to their illustrious history.