Unstoppable Marcus Thuram leads Inter's ruthless demolition of Atalanta
STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA (Milan): Inter could not have made a bigger statement of intent than thrashing Atalanta 4-0 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in their first major test of the season on Serie A Matchday 3.
Marcus Thuram took the spotlight with a brace and an overall display that even overshadowed the return of captain Lautaro Martinez to the starting lineup, but Nicolo Barella also got his name on the scoresheet with a sensational volley and was equally impressive, bossing the midfield with his tireless run and exceptional passing.
The first half from Simone Inzaghi's side was an exhibition of pure football, full of seamless combinations all over the pitch and sudden changes of pace that left the Atalanta with no chance.
La Dea's defending was simply calamitous, with much of the backline out injured. Berat Djimsiti was the only recognised centre-back on the pitch for Atalanta and it was he who turned into his own net in the first three minutes. That really set the tone.
Inter surge ahead with two early goals
The fans in the Curva Nord barely had the time to begin their display of noise for the night before the hosts took the lead at the end of a brilliant team move. Henrikh Mkhitaryan completed a one-two with Benjamin Pavard before playing a through ball to Thuram, whose low cross was deflected by Djimsiti into his own net.
Despite a fair share of luck, Inter's lead was deserved given the intensity with which they had started the game. Inzaghi's side kept coming and the fans' growing enthusiasm was rewarded by a stunning second goal which came after just 10 minutes.
A failed clearance from Atalanta's defence after a throw-in saw Pavard flick the ball into the path of Barella, who unleashed a spectacular left-footed volley from the edge of the box that left Marco Carnesecchi helpless as the ball flew into his top corner.
Despite seeming to start from an offside position, Thuram sent a deflected shot against the post moments after the cooling break at the 25-minute mark to notch yet another chance for Inter, as Atalanta struggled to find an answer to their intensity.
As much as Atalanta's defensive absences certainly took a toll, their lack of threat also probably came as a result of Raoul Bellanova and Lazar Samardzic's unfamiliarity with Gian Piero Gasperini's system. It was not a coincidence that La Dea's main forays forward were created down the opposite side through Davide Zappacosta.
Thuram excels to pile more misery on Atalanta
Atalanta barely seemed to fight back after a nightmare opening 45 minutes and it took Inter 30 seconds to create their first chance of the second half, as Mkhitaryan sent a low drive just wide of the post. Things were not going to change after the break, as proved by another tragic attempted clearance from Djimsiti that allowed Thuram to pounce on the ball and add a third from close range.
The Frenchman turned a one-sided contest into a humiliation for Gasperini's side by scoring a fourth minutes later in a similar fashion. His third Serie A goal in as many games is further proof that he's adding ruthlessness to an already wide array of skills, which could make him a devastating weapon for the Nerazzurri this season.
The hosts kept pushing for more with substitutes Marko Arnautovic, Davide Frattesi and Mehdi Taremi on the pitch and the lack of precision from Arnautovic was the main thing preventing them from scoring a fifth, while Atalanta's additions from the bench failed to leave any kind of impact.