Champions Inter Milan failed to score for the first time in 39 games in their top-of-the-table clash in Bergamo on Sunday and also missed out on points after eight league wins in a row. A win would have been possible, but for Atalanta as well.

Both Inter Milan and Atalanta Bergamo have been known for their extremely reliable attacking lines for years now, but on this 22nd matchday neither side wanted to score. Or rather, no goal was allowed.

Both Musso in the Bergamo box and Handanovic in the Internazionale FC box excelled on Sunday evening. The former made a superb save from Supercoppa matchwinner Alexis Sanchez (26th minute) in the first period, which the Nerazzurri controlled a little more. Dzeko, meanwhile, missed the goal with his header from a good position (16th) and later also made acquaintance with the 27-year-old Musso (59th).

Pasalic close to complete despair

In the second 45 minutes, Handanovic’s hour struck. The now 37-year-old captain, who was also a guarantor of Milan’s success in the 2020/21 championship season, first saved an attempt by Freuler (47th), before the Slovenian dived quickly in a duel with Pessina and made a great save (49th).

The game continued with a neat move by Dzeko, who beat Musso with a lob. But in front of the box, Darmian, who had been played in, was disturbed by an opponent and could not get the ball over the line (66.). After that, however, a goal should have been scored, which must have haunted Pasalic for a while: The 26-year-old Croatian nodded past on the left (79th), then Muriel failed after a very strong sprint to Handanovic, before Pasalic again made an appearance. But again Handanovic was the winner twice (87.).

And because d’Ambrosio also failed to beat Musso with the last action from a very good position (89th), it really came to a nil number, with which Inter as still sovereign leaders could certainly live better – ended series or not.