Skriniar helps Inter edge past Atalanta, go six points clear

A second-half goal from defender Milan Skriniar was enough to earn Inter Milan a 1-0 win over Atalanta on Monday, with the victory sending Antonio Conte’s side six points clear at the top of the Serie A standings and boosting their chances of winning their first league title in more than a decade.

Inter’s seventh successive win saw them restore their healthy advantage over second-placed AC Milan. They are also 10 points clear of third-placed Juventus, who has played a match less.

“Our rivals had won and closed the gap so it was inevitable that we felt a certain pressure, which will keep on increasing,” Inter coach Conte said. “Moreover, we were facing Atalanta which takes points off all the big teams. We’ve taken home a really important win against a team which could have disrupted our title bid but which is now 13 points behind us.”

It was the first time Atalanta failed to score away from home in Serie A since 2019, and Gian Piero Gasperini’s side remained fifth, a point behind Roma.

“We had a good match, were satisfied but angry because of the result,” Gasperini said. “For the game that we had we feel we deserved more than a defeat. But we were playing against Inter, which is first in the standings and on course for the title: it’s their year. Well come out of this match stronger, with more belief.”

The league leaders looked nervy in the first half in the San Siro, and had goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to thank for making a fine save to prevent Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata giving the visitors the lead.

Skriniar found a way through after 54 minutes sending in off fellow defender Alessandro Bastoni after a corner resulted in a scramble on front of goal, with Conte’s side digging in defensively late on to see out the victory.

Inter are without European commitments with nothing left to target but the league and are next at relegation-threatened Torino. Atalanta play at home against promoted Spezia before their Champions League last 16, second leg visit to Real Madrid.

Source: Dawn