Inter Milan has secured their spot in the final of the Supercoppa Italiana after defeating Atalanta 2-0 on January 2, 2025, at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This victory not only brings Inter one step closer to winning their fourth consecutive title but also marks their seventh straight triumph over Atalanta.
Denzel Dumfries stood out for Inter, scoring both goals of the match, with his performances showcasing the formidable attacking threat presented by Simonezaghi’s side throughout the evening. "The lads were excellent; it was never in doubt against a team of great quality. We wanted this Final, we made the first step, and now know the most important one still has to be made," said coach Simone Interzaghi, as he reflected on their performance.
Inter Milan, the reigning Serie A champions, demonstrated superior control against their rivals, who currently lead the Serie A standings. The match began with Inter dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities. Early efforts included attempts from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lautaro Martinez, both of which were foiled by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Despite pressure from Inter, Atalanta managed to sustain their defense until halftime, thanks to Carnesecchi's impressive saves, including a double stop against Dimarco and Lautaro. Still, the tide began to turn early in the second half when Dumfries struck the first goal after collecting a loose ball and executing an acrobatic bicycle kick just minutes after the break.
The Dutchman's second goal came shortly thereafter when he unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, which found the back of the net after hitting the crossbar. This electrifying play highlighted Inter's attacking prowess and resilience; "Dumfries has always scored goals for Inter and the Netherlands, so he is not a surprise," added Interzaghi, praising his contributions.
Atalanta struggled to respond effectively, partially due to strategic decisions made by their coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who opted to rest key players like Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere for most of the match. Even after introducing these talents, the Bergamo side fell short, with Ederson’s potential goal being disallowed after VAR review confirmed he was offside.
Inter continued to press, showcasing their defensive solidity as they maintained their lead. The match concluded with Inter managing their advantage effectively, leaving Atalanta little opportunity to mount any attacks. Thuram, who left the pitch at halftime with a suspected thigh injury, raises questions about his availability for the upcoming final against either Juventus or AC Milan on January 6.
Upon reflection, Inter has produced six consecutive clean sheets, which hasn’t been achieved since 2007, and they now sit just one point behind Atalanta and Napoli with a game in hand. The team clearly displays their ambition to continue their winning streak with eyes firmly set on the upcoming Supercoppa Final.
Simone Interzaghi's perfect record of winning all five of his previous finals adds to the excitement as he seeks to secure yet another title with Inter. His squad’s unwavering determination and intense focus are evident, providing hope for fans eager to see their team lifted yet again as champions.
This thrilling performance reaffirms Inter Milan's status as one of the leading clubs not just in Italy but on the international stage as they chase yet another significant victory. The stakes are high as they prepare to defend their supremacy against either Juventus or AC Milan, making the upcoming final not just another match but possibly historic.