Milan, Jan. 17 (BNA): Inter Milan failed to score a goal in a Serie A match for the first time in nearly a year, as they drew 0-0 with Atalanta in an entertaining match.
There were plenty of chances for both sides but no goals as Inter’s eight-game winning streak in Serie A was ended, giving hope to teams directly below the defending champions, the Associated Press reported.
Inter are two points above Milan and seven points above third-placed Napoli. Fourth-placed Atalanta remained eight points behind the Nerazzurri.
The last time Inter failed to score in a league match that drew 0-0 with Udinese on January 23, 2021.
After winning the Italian Super Cup midweek, Inter were looking to take a step towards another title.
Atalanta have been missing a number of players including Josip Ilicic and Ruslan Malinovsky, who are said to have been out of the coronavirus.
Both teams attacked from the start and Inter almost took the lead in the 26th minute, but Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso brilliantly hit Alexis Sanchez’s ball over the crossbar.
Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic did the same at the other end, early in the second half, to prevent Matteo Pesina from breaking the deadlock.
Inter had another big chance in the 66th minute when Eden Deco sent in a superb cross from the left but the last intervention from Giuseppe Pezzella, almost on the line, prevented Matteo Darmian from slipping and putting the ball into the empty net.
ultimate goal
Sergio Oliveira made his debut by winning and converting a penalty to help Roma’s new side win 1-0 at relegation-threatened Cagliari.
Oliveira, who joined on loan from Porto on Wednesday, scored in the 34th minute to help Roma end a three-game losing streak and move to sixth in Serie A with Cagliari two points from a safe place.
Roma, led by Jose Mourinho, entered the match after two consecutive defeats, but he thought the start was perfect when referee Lorenzo Magini awarded a penalty in the fourth minute.
However, after reviewing the incident on the stadium screen, the referee realized that Cagliari defender Andrea Carboni had had possession of the ball after a superb tackle on Nicolo Zaniolo and disallowed the penalty.
The VAR was in Roma’s favour later in the half, as the referee went back to the screen and saw that a shot from Oliveira was saved by Cagliari’s Dalbert with his arm.
Oliveira hit the resulting penalty in the lower right corner.
Roma had to double their lead and almost paid for their extravagance with six minutes remaining, but goalkeeper Rui Patricio saved a close shot from Joao Pedro on the crossbar.
instant effect
Nani had an immediate impact as he provided assisting moments after coming to help Venezia rescue the 1-1 draw against Empoli.
Nani came on his first appearance 18 minutes before the end of time, and set up former Manchester United player David O’Keerick moments later. Szymon Żurkowski scored the opening goal for Empoli in the 26th minute.
Antonin Barak also scored a hat-trick in Hellas Verona’s 4-2 victory over Sassuolo.