Sacchi analyses Atalanta and Inter chances Scudetto showdown: ‘Impossible’ | OneFootball

Arrigo Sacchi has explained what to expect from both Atalanta and Inter ahead of their Serie A title showdown on Sunday evening, but admits that tonight’s game is ‘impossible’ to call ahead of kick-off.

Sunday’s fixture schedule brings an enormous battle for the lead of the Serie A table. There are currently three points separating the top three sides in the division: Inter on top with 61 points, Napoli in second on 60 and Atalanta in third on 58. All three sides will be in action on Sunday.

Napoli are up first, and could claim the lead with a victory over Venezia in Sunday’s early kick-off, ahead of the direct clash between Atalanta and Inter later in the evening.

Simone Inzaghi holds the trophy during the ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Sacchi previews Inter-Atalanta: ‘Impossible’ to predict

Sacchi says that it is “impossible” to predict which team will be on top of the Serie A table by the end of the night.

“Impossible, it’s a very open challenge,” Sacchi wrote in La Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday. “Atalanta is a model for all Italian clubs and has an entire city pushing behind it. Inter have the experience and the history, that is not a minor detail.”

The legendary former coach detailed what specifically to expect from both sides ahead of kick-off: “Atalanta plays man for man all over the pitch in the defensive phases. They are fantastic in terms of athletic qualities,” he explained.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Lautaro Martinez runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Davide Zappacosta of Atalanta during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 30, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“In Turin, against Juve, they dominated the game thanks to that physical exuberance. Gasperini’s boys come at you and don’t give you an inch of space. It’s difficult for anyone to come up with a solution other than giving the ball away in those conditions. I think they’ll do that to Inter as well.”

And, on the Nerazzurri, Sacchi added: “The Nerazzurri have grown a lot recently. They boast experience, height and strength in the defensive phase. Maybe sometimes they should drop back less and press more in the offensive areas, but that is a detail.”

CAGLIARI, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Alessandro Bastoni scores his goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between Cagliari and FC Internazionale at Sardegna Arena on December 28, 2024 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Sacchi believes that Atalanta-Inter could be decided in the midfield battle, though: “(There will be) a great fight on the wings, and also in the middle. The Ederson-De Roon duo will try to block the Inter midfielders, who are very good in intercepting and managing the game.

“I like Inzaghi’s team because they look like an accordion. They open and close, lengthen and shorten while always keeping the right distances between the departments on the pitch.”