European roundup: Internazionale sink Atalanta to retain top spot
Calhanoglu and MartĂnez on target for Serie A leadersChampions Napoli fourth after beating Salernitana Internazionale’s Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro MartĂnez scored either side of halftime for a 2-1 win at Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday, securing Simone Inzaghi’s side top spot for another week. Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a penalty just before the break and MartĂnez doubled Internazionale’s advantage with a shot inside the far post before Gianluca Scamacca pulled one back for the hosts after the hour mark. Internazionale, on 28 points from 11 games, provisionally extended their lead to five points over second-placed Juventus, who travel to Fiorentina on Sunday. Internazionale, who are now unbeaten against Atalanta in their last 10 Serie A games, have equalled their longest streak of consecutive games without losing against the Nerazzurri, which was set between December 1950 and March 1955. The visitors bided their time in the first half and registered their first attempt on target past the half-hour mark. But Calhanoglu put the visitors in front from the spot just before the interval after they were awarded a penalty for a challenge by goalkeeper Juan Musso on Matteo Darmian. Former Milan midfielder Calhanoglu has scored 10 out of 10 penalties in Serie A since 2017-18 behind only Romelu Lukaku’s perfect 14. MartĂnez thought he had made it 2-0 for Inter with a header in the 54th minute but his effort was ruled out for offside. But the Argentinean made no mistake with a shot inside the far post three minutes later for his 12th league goal this season. Scamacca gave the home side some hope when he netted a low shot, profiting from a neat pass by Ademola Lookman, but they failed to find an equaliser with their few remaining chances. Atalanta went down to 10 men in stoppage time as substitute Rafael Toloi got a second booking for a foul on Alexis Sánchez. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who conceded their first goals at home this season, are fifth with 19 points. They are two points behind fourth-placed champions Napoli, who beat bottom side Salernitana 2-0 earlier on Saturday with goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Elif Elmas. Salernitana set a club record of 12 consecutive Serie A games without a win. Continue reading...
