Ten years ago | Inter 3 - 1 Atalanta: Mariga, Chivu and...the leapfrogging

MILAN – In the endless library of memories that makes up the 2009/10 season, the game between Inter and Atalanta on 24 April 2010, ten years ago today, often ends up being ignored.  However, it was in the end the decisive match in leapfrogging Roma on the path the winning the Club’s 18th Scudetto title.

It was played on Saturday at 18:00 CEST. Everyone’s heads were full of thoughts: three days earlier Mourinho’s team had played one of the best games in Inter’s history, the 3-1 victory over Barcelona. Incredible. Four days later, on the 28th, they were due to play Barcelona again in the second leg at the Camp Nou: Messi, Ibrahimovic, Guardiola, in short, that whole Barça side were waiting.

Inter were playing at 18:00 on Saturday, Roma at 20:45 on Sunday, and the top of the league table before the first whistle looked like this: Roma 71, Inter 70. The Giallorossi had been on top of the table for two matchdays.

Their minds were so clouded that in the fifth minute Atalanta were already ahead at San Siro, thanks to Tiribocchi’s goal. In matchday 35 of the league, there’s little to joke about and whoever falters, loses. So…the ball was played into Milito, who provided a delicate touch over Coppola, 1-1. Their heads were cleared, and their legs were freed to do their thing. The tempo increased and play became smoother: Sneijder to Eto’o to Mariga, goal. The first Kenyan goal scorer in Inter’s history, Mariga’s first goal for the Nerazzurri, courtesy of a slight deflection off Sulley Muntari. A goal that allowed breathing space: 2-1.

The crucial blow that sealed the win came in the 78th minute courtesy of Cristian Chivu’s long range strike that beat Coppola. A brilliant, beautiful left-footed shot that was celebrated in a special way. It was the Romanian’s first goal for Inter, but above all a liberating one, it was his first since the injury on 6 January. There were hugs, smiles, lots of affection and then the headguard taken off to salute the fans at San Siro.

That wasn’t any old 3-1. Not by any means. They were three vital points, because that Saturday night the table was as such: Inter 73, Roma 71. Now they could look towards Barcelona and keep an eye on Roma vs. Sampdoria on Sunday. A match that the Blucerchiati won 2-1 thanks to Pazzini’s double. The overtaking was complete! The Treble was on!

INTER 3-1 ATALANTAScorers: 5' Tiribocchi, 24' Milito, 35' Mariga, 78' Chivu.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu; 17 Mariga, 5 Stankovic (70' 8 Thiago Motta), 11 Muntari; 10 Sneijder (46' 19 Cambiasso); 22 Milito (80' 89 Arnautovic), 9 Eto'o.Substitutes: 21 Orlandoni, 6 Lucio, 7 Quaresma, 25 Samuel.Coach: José Mourinho.

Atalanta: 32 Coppola; 4 Capelli, 77 Bianco, 5 Manfredini, 13 Peluso; 79 Ferreira Pinto (57' 70 Ceravolo), 17 Guarente, 22 Padoin, 20 Valdes (57' 9 Amoruso); 72 Doni (71' 21 Radovanovic), 90 Tiribocchi.Substitutes: 91 Rossi, 6 Bellini, 15 De Ascentis, 19 Chevanton.Coach: Bortolo Mutti

Referee: Daniele Orsato (from Schio)Yellow Cards: 8' Bianco, 26' Stankovic, 47' Cordoba, 64' Manfredini, 64' Coppola, 83' Materazzi.Specators: 63,779