Inter Milan moved six points clear at the top of Serie A after a 1-0 win at home against high-scoring Atalanta on Monday.
Defender Milan Škriniar scored early in the second half and boosted Inter’s chances of winning its first Italian league title in more than a decade.
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Inter Milan moved six points clear at the top of Serie A after a 1-0 win at home against high-scoring Atalanta on Monday.
It was the first time Atalanta failed to score away from home in Serie A since 2019, and Gian Piero Gasperini’s side remained fifth, a point behind Roma.
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Atalanta's Duvan Zapata, front, fights for the ball with Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, front, fights for the ball with Atalanta's Cristian Romero during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Atalanta's Duvan Zapata, right, challenges for the ball with Inter Milan's Stefan de Vrij during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Atalanta's Duvan Zapata reacts during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter restored its healthy advantage over second-placed AC Milan.
Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar, left, celebrates with his teammates his goal against Atalanta during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
It was the first time Atalanta failed to score away from home in Serie A since 2019, and Gian Piero Gasperini’s side remained fifth, a point behind Roma.
Atalanta scored 11 goals in its past three matches and came closest to taking the lead at the end of a tense first half as first Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanović pulled off a fantastic save to deny Duván Zapata then Marcelo Brozović had to clear from practically on the line from the ensuing corner.
Inter broke the deadlock nine minutes after the break when Atalanta failed to properly clear a corner and Škriniar fired the loose ball into the bottom left corner.
Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar in action during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
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Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte gives instructions to his players during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Atalanta's Duvan Zapata, front, fights for the ball with Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, front, fights for the ball with Atalanta's Cristian Romero during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Atalanta's Duvan Zapata, right, challenges for the ball with Inter Milan's Stefan de Vrij during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Atalanta's Duvan Zapata reacts during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Atalanta at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)