Inter extend lead at the top with 2-0 win at Atalanta

Inter Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A to three points with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Atalanta in a hard-fought encounter on Sunday. Goals from Carlos Augusto and Lautaro Martinez secured the win for the visitors, in a match that saw both teams finish with 10 players.

Inter moved to 64 points, ahead of Napoli (61 points), who drew 0-0 at Venezia earlier on Sunday. Atalanta remain third with 58 points.

The visitors started strongly, with Marcus Thuram hitting the upright early on. Atalanta, however, grew into the game, and Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was forced into a full-stretch save to tip a Mario Pasalic header over the bar. Ederson also fired wide from distance for the home side. Ademola Lookman missed target, just before break.

The match was briefly interrupted shortly after the interval due to a medical emergency involving a fan in the away section. When play resumed, Inter took the lead in the 54th minute. Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner was met by an unmarked Carlos Augusto, who headed into the bottom corner.

Atalanta’s hopes of a comeback were severely damaged in the 81st minute when midfielder Ederson received two yellow cards in quick succession – the first for dissent, the second for sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision – resulting in his dismissal.

Inter capitalized on their numerical advantage, doubling their lead in the 87th minute. Lautaro Martinez timed his run perfectly to meet Nicolo Barella’s pass and finished clinically from a wide angle just outside the six-yard box.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini was then sent off for dissent. Inter substitute Davide Frattesi had a late chance to make it 3-0 but shot straight at Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi when one-on-one.

Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni was also sent off in added time, receiving a second yellow card, but the late dismissal had no impact on the outcome.

The victory ends Atalanta’s seven-game unbeaten league run and provides a significant boost to Inter’s title defense. The match highlighted Inter’s ability to grind out results, even in challenging circumstances, while Atalanta will rue their missed chances and ill-discipline.