MILAN – Inter Milan’s seemingly relentless march toward the Serie A title hit a snag this weekend, drawing 1-1 with Atalanta at the San Siro in a match overshadowed by contentious refereeing decisions and a growing sense of frustration within the Nerazzurri camp. While Inter maintains a comfortable lead in the standings, the result – and the circumstances surrounding it – have injected a degree of uncertainty into their title aspirations and handed a lifeline to rivals AC Milan.
The match, played on Saturday, saw Francesco Pio Esposito open the scoring for Inter in the 26th minute. However, Atalanta responded late, with Nikola Krstovic leveling the score in the 82nd minute. The equalizer was immediately met with protests from Inter players and staff, who felt the goal should have been disallowed due to a foul in the build-up. The incident sparked a heated exchange that resulted in Inter assistant coach Cristian Chivu being sent off after receiving two yellow cards.
The controversy didn’t finish there. Shortly after the goal, Inter were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty when Scalvini challenged Frattesi inside the Atalanta penalty area. The referee, Manganiello, waved play on, and VAR officials did not intervene, a decision that drew sharp criticism from Inter officials and Italian media. Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by SempreInter.com, argued that the challenge should have resulted in a penalty, stating that “Scalvini is late, the kick is clear and not measurable. In the past it has always been a penalty.”
The frustration within Inter is palpable, and echoes a similar situation from last season. As one source noted, this latest incident brought back memories of a 2-2 draw with Lazio in May, a result that ultimately proved pivotal in Inter’s failure to secure the Scudetto. The club has since entered a period of “silenzio stampa” – a media blackout – in protest of what they perceive as unfavorable officiating.
The incident involving Krstovic’s goal was particularly contentious. Reports suggest a physical altercation between Inter’s Dumfries and Atalanta’s Sulemana, with Inter claiming a foul on Dumfries. However, analysis suggests the contact was minimal, with Sulemana’s hand appearing to be on Dumfries’ chest and Dumfries’ hand on Sulemana’s back. The referee allowed play to continue, and Krstovic capitalized to score.
The non-call on the potential penalty for Frattesi further fueled the controversy. The incident saw Scalvini make contact with Frattesi as the Inter player went to shoot. While the referee may have deemed the contact incidental, the lack of VAR intervention raised eyebrows, particularly given similar incidents have been penalized in the past. As Gazzetta dello Sport pointed out, VAR’s silence was “not acceptable.”
Despite the controversy, Inter still hold a significant eight-point lead over AC Milan, who play Lazio on Sunday. A Milan victory would narrow the gap to five points with nine games remaining. Atalanta, meanwhile, remain seventh on 47 points.
Beyond the refereeing decisions, questions are also being raised about Inter’s recent form. The draw against Atalanta extended their winless run to three games in all competitions, and they have only won two of their last seven matches. Manager Cristian Chivu’s tactical decisions are also under scrutiny, with questions being asked about the substitutions made during the match, specifically the removal of Esposito, and Dimarco.
The Nerazzurri’s recent struggles are particularly concerning given their previously dominant form. Prior to their recent dip, Inter had been on a 15-game unbeaten run in Serie A. The team’s inability to convert possession into goals has also become a worrying trend, having scored only one goal in their last three outings.
The upcoming match against Milan will be crucial in determining the direction of the title race. A victory for Inter would effectively extinguish Milan’s hopes, while a win for Milan would reignite the competition and set up a tense final stretch of the season. The pressure is now firmly on Inter to respond to this setback and rediscover the form that made them early favorites for the Scudetto.
The situation is further complicated by the upcoming Coppa Italia semi-finals, where Inter will face either Lazio or Juventus. Balancing the demands of both competitions will be a significant challenge for Chivu and his team.
For now, Inter remains in a state of quiet frustration, hoping that the refereeing decisions will not derail their title ambitions. The club’s silence speaks volumes, and the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether they can overcome this latest hurdle and secure their first Serie A title in several years.
Next up for Inter is a crucial clash against Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-final, with the date yet to be confirmed. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on the team’s form and any potential changes in tactics as they prepare for this important fixture.
