Atalanta 1-1 Inter: Player Ratings as Physical Contest Ends All Square

The points were shared in Bergamo on Sunday afternoon, as a high-octane contest between Atalanta and Inter ended in a 1-1 draw, which saw the hosts drop out of the top four in Serie A.

A physical opening 45 minutes saw both sides cancel each other out to go into the break goalless. Atalanta made better on their possession and looked more energised, but Inter defended well and grew into the game towards the end of the half, as referee Daniele Doveri tried his best to let the game flow despite some hefty challenges all over the field.

The Nerazzuri were much more composed after the break, however, and made good on a lapsed Atalanta side by keeping the pressure on. The hosts eventually caved just before the hour mark when Lautaro Martinez got on the end of a whipped ball from Ashley Young.

It wasn't enough, though, and Atalanta enjoyed a second wind as their substitutes made the difference. Aleksei Miranchuk found half a yard of space and fired home the equaliser on his Serie A debut with little over 10 minutes to play.

Atalanta were denied a late penalty in the dying embers of the game, with a tackle on Miranchuk deemed not to be a foul.

Here's how the players performed for each side in a tense Serie A clash, as Inter failed to leapfrog their Champions League rivals.

Atalanta

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Marco Sportiello (GK) - 8/10 - Not much he could do to stop Lautaro's header and pulled off a smart double save just past the hour mark to keep his side in the game. Another important, brave stop in injury time secured a point for his side and denied Romelu Lukaku.

Rafael Toloi (CB) - 6/10 - Swept up any danger while Romero kept himself busy. Generally good cohesion among the back three.

Cristian Romero (CB) - 7/10 - Had Lautaro Martinez in his back pocket throughout the first half. Perhaps got away with one or two challenges at times.

Berat Djimsiti (CB) - 6/10 - Keen to get forward, which is testament to Atalanta's intense and admittedly wild pressing system, but bullied by Lautaro and should've dealt with Ashley Young's cross.

2. Midfielders

Hans Hateboer (RWB) - 6/10 - Energetic first 45 minutes and had a few half chances but nothing clear cut to get stuck into.

Mario Pasalic (CM) - 6/10 - Composed on the ball and linked up well with other players around him, but couldn't break beyond a resilient Inter defence.

Remo Freuler (CM) - 6/10 - Poor cross nearly ended up in the back of the net, but an otherwise neutral game with hints of flair.

Matteo Ruggeri (LWB) - 6/10 - Looked comfortable on his Serie A debut and played in some smart crosses from the left flank.

3. Forwards

Ruslan Malinovsky (RF) - 6/10 - Snatched at a key chance 25 minutes in which could've given his side the lead with more composure. Bright on the ball but unable to find a way into the box throughout.

Duvan Zapata (ST) - 7/10 - Movement caused problems for Inter's back three throughout the first half but didn't get inside the 18-yard box enough. Starved of service after the break.

Alejandro Gomez (LF) - 7/10 - Atalanta's most energetic player. Popped up everywhere and created chances with smart dribbling and key passing.

4. Substitutes

Aleksei Miranchuk - 8/10 - Was the change of pace Atalanta needed and scored an impressively taken equaliser with little space. Not a bad way to make your Serie A debut.

Matteo Pessina - 6/10

Luis Muriel - 7/10

Sam Lammers - 7/10

Johan Mojica - N/A

Inter

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Samir Handanovic (GK) - 5/10 - Almost caught out from a poor Remo Freuler cross which he had to tip over the bar, but an otherwise quiet game.

Milan Skriniar (CB) - 5/10 - Struggled to contain Zapata in the first half and was fortunate not to get booked rather early on.

Stefan de Vrij (CB) - 5/10 - Equally as aggressive as Skriniar, if a little too aggressive at times, but ultimately did his job in keeping Atalanta out of the Inter box.

Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - 7/10 - Impressive long passing set forwards free and was more composed than his two colleagues in defence.

6. Midfielders

Matteo Darmian (RWB) - 5/10 - Typically quiet attacking output from the ex-Manchester United defender but competent defensively.

Marcelo Brozovic (CM) - 6/10 - More composed than Vidal and strong on the ball in the middle of the park. Nicely weighted ball to Ashley Young just before Inter's opening goal.

Arturo Vidal (CM) - 5/10 - Rash by nature but came close to scoring in the first half; should've scored when one on one with the keeper 65 minutes in.

Nicolo Barella (AM) - 4/10 - Quiet game for Barella who didn't see enough of the ball to make an impact.

Ashley Young (LWB) - 6/10 - Incredibly quiet in the first half but popped up with a well-whipped cross to assist Lautaro's opening goal.

7. Forwards

Alexis Sanchez (ST) - 5/10 - Forgettable game for Sanchez who struggled to make good with the ball at his feet and was easily dealt with by defenders.

Lautaro Martinez (ST) - 7/10 - Frustrating first half for the Argentine who was marked out of the game by Cristian Romero, but wriggled away and nodded home a real poacher's header for the opener.

8. Substitutes

Roberto Gagliardini - 5/10

Romelu Lukaku - 5/10

Ivan Perisic - 5/10

Achraf Hakimi - N/A

Danilo D'Ambrosio - N/A