Krstović and Carnesecchi end Atalanta’s winless run before Inter visit Bergamo

Atalanta won 1-0 at Monza to end a six-game winless run, with Nikola Krstović scoring and Marco Carnesecchi making key saves. Inter now face a Bergamo side with some pressure lifted on 22 November, the date Lautaro Martinez is targeting for his return.

Inter’s next opponent has found a way to win again. Atalanta left Monza with three points and a scorer in form.

The goal came early in the second half. From the left, Bernasconi sent in a delivery that Monza goalkeeper Törnqvist failed to hold. Krstović reacted first and put it in. The striker has now scored in two straight games.

Monza were left with regrets. The home side played very well in the first half but could not turn their chances into goals, Monza’s own match report said. Carnesecchi was the main reason. In the 24th minute he made four saves in a row, stopping Varela twice and then Robinson and Kouadio.

The goalkeeper was needed again late on. In the 82nd minute he kept out a left-footed shot from Andrea Colpani, a former Atalanta player. That save protected the lead and kept Maurizio Sarri’s side ahead until the end.

For Inter, the timing matters. Sarri’s side go into the international break with some pressure lifted. They had struggled for results. Now they have a clean sheet and a match-winner in Krstović.

The performance at Monza was not dominant. Atalanta needed their goalkeeper to survive a difficult first half. They then took their one clear opening after the break. That pattern suggests a team that can still be pressed, but one that now has a reason to believe in itself.

Inter cannot afford to drop points in Bergamo. Lazio lead the table by one point. Even a win in Bergamo would only move Inter ahead if Lazio drop points against Lecce; otherwise the gap stays at one point.

The trip to Bergamo could also mark the return of Lautaro. The club announced on 15 October that tests at the Istituto Humanitas in Rozzano had found a problem in his left hamstring. Sky Sport Italia reported that the Bergamo fixture was his possible comeback date, after an absence that would also keep him away from national-team duty.

His availability would give Inter another option against a defense that has just recovered some solidity. It would also add attacking depth for a match that carries weight in the title race.

Krstović, meanwhile, will arrive at the game in form. Stopping him will be a key task for Inter’s back line. Carnesecchi, on the evidence of Monza, will be a difficult obstacle at the other end.

The schedule adds one more factor. Matchday 12 starts on Saturday 21 November, when Lazio host Lecce at 15:00. Inter will know that result before kickoff. Atalanta and Inter then meet at 20:45 CET on Sunday 22 November.