Atalanta Vs Inter Milan [0–1] – Serie A 2025/2026: Cristian Chivu’s Defender-Led Attack Breaks Through – Tactical Analysis

Atalanta faced Inter Milan recently at the New Balance Arena for the 17th fixture of Serie A, and the game ended with an extremely important win for the Nerazzurri.

Although Atalanta put on a convincing overall performance and came very close to scoring the equalising and winning goals, they failed to do so and will have to accept the loss.

The loss leaves Atalanta 10th with 22 points, five behind the European spots, but a bit further from the top four.

Atalanta’s mission for the rest of the season will be complicated as the target will be to achieve one of the top four spots, but due to the fierce competition for those spots, it will not be that easy for Atalanta, especially if they keep losing points for the coming crucial period.

On the other hand, the win guarantees more stability for Inter Milan and allows everyone to work more easily during this intense period, especially after the disappointing elimination from the Italian Supercup.

Thanks to their win against Atalanta, Inter Milan now tops the standings once again, with 36 points and one more delayed game to play.

In this tactical analysis article, our focus will be on Inter Milan’s intelligent use of defenders (centre-backs and wing-backs) in the attacking phase, and on how their role in this phase is becoming even more central to the team’s attacking plans.

Atalanta Vs Inter Milan Lineups & Formations

Raffaele Palladino started the match in a 3-4-3 formation, with Marco Carnesecchi as the goalkeeper, and all three of Isak Hien, Berat Djimsiti, and Sead Kolašinac as centre-backs.

The midfield consisted of Marten de Roon and Éderson as central midfielders, with Davide Zappacosta and Nicola Zalewski as wing-backs.

Attacking-wise, Atalanta relied on Charles De Ketelaere and Mario Pašalić on the wings, with Gianluca Scamacca as the team’s main striker.

For Inter Milan, Cristian Chivu preferred to start the match using their usual 3-5-2 formation.

Yann Sommer occupied his usual spot in goal behind Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, and Alessandro Bastoni as the three centre-backs.

Federico Dimarco started at left wing-back, while Luis Henrique started at right wing-back.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu started alongside Nicolò Barella and Piotr Zieliński as the three central midfielders, with Barella leaning a lot more to the right flank and advancing more often towards the penalty box.

And in attack, Chivu used his best starting duo: Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez, before subbing Pio Esposito on at a crucial time.

Inter Milan Attacking Performance: Centre-Backs & Wing-Backs Attacking Involvement

Inter Milan’s performance against Atalanta highlighted an important tactical trend in Chivu’s tactics: the centre-backs and wing-backs’ crucial, productive participation in the team’s attacking play.

Inter Milan were most dangerous when they attacked with their wing-backs and defenders involved, as this not only gave them numerical superiority but also added quality in passing and duels.