Holders Inter Milan lock horns against Atalanta at San Siro for a place in the semifinals of the 2022/23 Coppa Italia.
Inter had to come from behind to beat Parma 2-1 in extra time in the Round of 16 while Atalanta played out a goal fest against Spezia to win 5-2.
INT vs ATN Match Details
Date: Sunday, 31 January 2023 / February, 1 February 2023
Time: 21:00 (BST) / 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazze, Milan
INT vs ATN Match Preview
With the race for Scudetto seemingly over for Inter with Napoli sitting 13 points clear of them at the top of the Serie A standings, Simeone Inzaghi’s men will look at other prizes up for grabs this season. The Nerazzuri did win the first silverware of the season thrashing city rivals AC Milan 3-0 in the Supercopa Italiana at Riyadh. Now, they are aiming for a cup double by retaining the Coppa Italia title after winning it for the seventh time in history last season. Inter want to match their title defense feat of this competition in the 2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10 and 2010/11 campaigns. The Champions League is the other tournament they are in but is long fetched one considering all the European heavyweights involved. The Nerazzuri have registered seven victories in the last nine games of the competition with a shock loss to Empoli sole backdrop of that period. Inter also went behind in the weekend league game against Cremonese but a Lautaro Martinez propelled them to winning ways again. The Argentinian also became the rescuer for his side in the 88th minute in the last 16 tie of the Coppa Italia against Parma after Inzaghi’s men went a goal down in the first half. Francesco Acerbi then scored the winning header in extra time. They will not like to make it that difficult against Atalanta in the last eight having not lost against them in the last eight meetings at San Siro in all competitions.
Meanwhile, the visitors have seen a total change of form post-World Cup period by staying unbeaten in the last six games in all competitions and restoring themselves among the top four in Serie A. Stunningly, Atalanta have scored 22 goals in that period alone having scored 17 in 15 games prior. Seven of them have come from the boots of the impressive Nigerian, Ademola Lookman who has added 14 goals to his name in all competitions this season. The 25-year-old also scored twice in the last Coppa Italia game against Spezia whom La Dea thumped 5-2. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have turned into goal-scoring monsters again after struggling before the break which saw them drift away from title contention and at a time looked to be missing European football once again. Nevertheless, they face fierce competition from Lazio, AC Milan and Roma for the Champions League places but will take Coppa Italia seriously. Atalanta have not won a trophy to award the scintillating football they offered over the seasons so fulfilling the desire by winning this competition for the first time in 60 years will be a great look. Title holders Inter might not like their intention having won against them in the league earlier in the season although La Dea have only lost twice in the previous eighty meetings between the sides. They have also progressed to the semi-finals in three of the last five seasons after ending at this stage last time losing against Fiorentina.
Recent Form (all competitions)
INT: WLWWW
ATA: WDWWW
INT vs ATN Team News
It is left to see whether Milan Skriniar will be an Inter player beyond January after publically confirming his verbal agreement with PSG. The Nerazzuri will now be forced to make a decision on his future before the transfer window closes. On the sporting side, the Slovenian has finished his suspension after receiving his second booking in the defeat against Empoli a week ago. He is available for the quarter final clash against Atalanta in Coppa Italia should he decide to stay. Nicolo Barella is also back after suspension and should feature from the start. The duo, Marcelo Brozovic with calf and goalkeeper Samir Handanovic with a muscle injury, are out but could be available at the weekend.
Center-back Jose Palamino (leg) and full-back Davide Zapacosta (hamstring) are not in the match squad for Atalanta. Berat Djimsiti replaced the former in the win against Sampdoria at the weekend and is set to retain his spot. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini is unlikely to make any changes in the starting lineup as he looks to guide his side to the last four.
INT vs ATN Predicted Lineups
INT: Andre Onana; Francesco Acerbi, De Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Eden Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez
ATA: Juan Musso; Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti, Giorgio Scalvini; Hans Hateboer, De Roon, Teun Koopmeiners, Joakim Maehle; Ademola Lookman, Jeremie Boga; Rasmus Hojlund
INT vs ATN Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Onana (8)
DEF: Maehle (8), Acerbi (8), Bastoni (8.5), Dimarco (8.5)
MID: Calhanoglu (9), Barella (8), Koopmeiners (8.5)
FW: Lookman (9), L Martinez (9), Hojlund (8.5)
Vice-captain: Lautaro Martinez
Captain: Ademola Lookman
