Serie A: Inter Milan and Atalanta played out a thrilling 2-2 draw

Inter Milan and Atalanta played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Serie A fixture at San Siro on Saturday at the ongoing Serie A. Within five minutes of kick-off, Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring with a sensational goal before Ruslan Malinovskyi equalized with a brilliant strike. Before the break, Rafael Toloi gave the lead to the away side but Eden Dzeko levelled the score in the second half. Meanwhile Federico Dimarco missed a penalty. Elsewhere, AC Milan beat Spezia 2-1 at Alberto Picco courtesy of goals from Daniel Maldini and Brahim Diaz.

Nicolo Barella’s brilliant out-swinging cross from the right side was slotted in by Matrinez’ sensational half-volley from 10-yards out. Inter kept on the pressure as Martin de Roon’s attempt went wide. At the half-hour mark, at the other end, Malinovskyi’s powerful left-footed shot from outside the box beat Samir Handanovic and went inside the goal.

The equalizing goal shifted the momentum slightly towards the away side and they took the lead in the 38th minute. Malinovskyi was again involved as his shot from outside the box was saved by Handanovic, but the rebound fell to Toloi who made the score 2-1 for Atalanta.

Malinovskyi’s left foot was causing all sorts of problems to the Inter defence. The Ukrainian’s low free-kick smashed the inside of the far post and Duvan Zapata couldn’t turn in the rebound.

Inter boss Simone Inzaghi made a triple substitution before the hour-mark to turn things around. Federico Dimarco, Matias Vecino and Denzel Dumfries came in. Barella was having an excellent game for the hosts. The 24-year-old’s ins-winging cross from the left side found Vecino at the far post, but the Uruguayan’s header was tipped over the crossbar by Juan Musso.

Barella was involved again, his low cross from the left side was pushed away by Musso, only towards the path of Martinez, but the Argentine couldn’t turn it in at the far post. The home side kept pushing and finally earned the equalizer in the 71st minute. Barella laid the ball to Dimarco inside the box to take the shot, although Musso managed to get one hand to the ball, Dzeko followed up with a close range finish.

It was end-to-end action as both sides went for the winner. Substitute Josip Ilicic’s strike was palmed over the bar by Handanovic. And then Inter earned a penalty for Merih Demiral’s handball inside the box. But Dimarco failed to convert the spot kick as his attempt hit the crossbar.

Moments later, Handanovic failed to collect the ball cleanly from Roberto Piccoli’s shot but no damage was done. Dzeko’s header from Alexis Sanchez’ cross went wide deep into stoppage time.

After the draw, Inter are placed third in the table with 14 points from five games  whereas Atalanta are fifth with 11 points from six games.

Spezia 1-2 AC Milan

In Spezia, Daniel Maldini, son of Paolo Maldini and grandson of Cesare Maldini broke the deadlock for the visitors three minute into the restart. And then, ten minutes from time, substitute Daniele Verde equalized for the hosts.

At the other end, Alexis Saelemaekers managed to lay the ball to Diaz after some good work down the left side of the penalty area. The Spanish footballer slotted the ball between the legs of Spezia goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet and into the goal.

It was Milan’s fifth league victory in six games and they are now top of the points table with 15 points.