How did Dumfries and Martinez play? Inter players' ratings for the match against Atalanta according to Dailysports
Atalanta participated in the Supercoppa Italiana as the finalist of the Coppa Italia, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Juventus.
However, the tournament, held mid-season in far-off Saudi Arabia, has drawn criticism from many coaches of Italian clubs, who view it as an unnecessary addition to an already packed schedule.
Reflecting this sentiment, Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a heavily rotated lineup, with key players like Ademola Lookman and Éderson only entering the game after Atalanta conceded a goal in the 56th minute.
Inter showcased their ability to exploit Atalanta's weaknesses effectively. Using their opponent’s own high-pressing tactics against them, Inter created spaces and controlled the tempo.
Their victory was well-earned, but it’s important to note Atalanta fielded a second-string lineup for what many deem a secondary tournament. The Bergamaschi will now return home to prepare for upcoming challenges.
Top performers of the match:
Odilon Kossounou and Isak Hien
It was a tough game for Atalanta's center-backs, particularly against Lautaro Martínez, who managed eight shots, mostly from central areas of the box. Hien, as the central figure of the defensive line, was tasked with marking one of the world’s top strikers, while Kossounou often shifted centrally to support due to the team’s rotations.
Despite the pressure, both players made crucial defensive contributions. Hien recorded four blocked shots, while Kossounou had two. Although Hien might bear some responsibility for the second goal, his overall defensive performance outweighs that single error.
Davide Zappacosta
Zappacosta led Atalanta in shots with four and delivered two key passes. However, his standout contribution was his versatility. Operating equally well on both the left and right flanks, his heatmap showed balanced activity across the wings, with minimal presence in central areas. This positional flexibility made him one of Atalanta’s most influential players, providing support across the pitch.
Éderson
Despite playing only 34 minutes, Éderson made an impact with 40 touches, compared to Ruggeri's 33 in 56 minutes, the player he replaced. He combined with Lookman to score what could have been a game-changing goal, later ruled out by VAR for an extremely marginal offside. Éderson’s entry added much-needed dynamism to Atalanta’s attack, making them more dangerous in the final third.
Worth mentioning:
Ademola Lookman’s late introduction at the 56th minute revitalized Atalanta’s attack. While he only managed two shots in stoppage time, his presence added dynamism, enabling Atalanta to penetrate Inter’s box more frequently. Before his arrival, the team’s attack relied on predictable crosses and passing sequences, which Inter comfortably neutralized.
Player ratings:
- Bresciannini M. - 6
- De Ketelaere - 6
- De Roon M. - 7
- Djimsiti B. - 6
- Zaniolo N. - 6
- Zappacosta D. - 7
- Éderson - 7
- Carnesecchi M. - 6
- Kolašinac S. - 5
- Kossounou O. - 7
- Lookman A. - 6
- Palestra M. - 6
- Ruggeri M. - 5
- Samardžić L. - 6
- Scalvini D. - 6
- Hien I. - 6
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
