Inter vs Atalanta: Lautaro Martinez fails to counter Osimhen, but extends Golden Boot lead
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Lautaro Martinez scored goal number 23 of the season || Image credit: Imago

Inter vs Atalanta: Lautaro Martinez fails to counter Osimhen, but extends Golden Boot lead

Faruq Ibrahim 22:59 - 28.02.2024

Inter Milan beat Ademola Lookman's Atalanta 4-0 to open a 12-point lead atop Serie A.

Inter Milan continue their ruthless match towards the Scudetto title, with Atalanta being their latest victim. The Nerazurri romped La Dea 4-0 to open a 12-point lead.

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Simone Inzaghi's men extended their league-winning run to eight games, and star striker Luataro Martinez took his tally to 23 goals with a first-half strike but failed to maintain the pre-gameweek margin on last season's Capocannoniere, Victor Osimhen.

How it happened

Both teams generated threats early on, but it was Atalanta who got the ball into the back of the net, first when Charles de Ketelaere fired past Yann Sommer; however, the goal was ruled out due to a handball in the buildup. 

Inter also had a goal ruled out early on when Barella’s goal was immediately flagged for offside. 

Inter took the lead midway through the first half, however, when Lautaro teed up former Manchester United man Mateo Damian. The Italian finished coolly into the vacated goal. 

Lautaro Martinez came close to doubling the lead, but his strike from range rattled the upright. Just before halftime, however, he got his goal, curling the ball around the flat footed Marco Carnessechi and into the net. 

Lautaro was presented with a chance to grab a brace in the second-half from the penalty spot, but the Argentine's attempt was parried by Carnessechi, but Federico Di Marco was in range to rebound and put Inter three up. 

Davide Frattesi rounded up the scoring late in the game, jumping to flick in Alexis Sanchez's delivery from a free kick to give the hosts a 4-0 lead. 

Capocannoiere race 

Lautaro is now on 23 goals, and the penalty miss robbed him of the chance to make the job even harder for the chasing pack.

Lautaro Martinez and Victor Osimhen are in the mix for the Serie A Golden Boot | Imago
Lautaro Martinez and Victor Osimhen are in the mix for the Serie A Golden Boot | Imago

Dusan Vlahovic is his closest competitor with 15 goals, eight behind the Argentine. However, last season's Capocannoiere, Victor Osimhen, who has not put up a proper defence for his title so far due to injuries amongst other mitigating factors, announced himself earlier today as a contender not to be overlooked. 

The Nigeria international scored a hat-trick today to take his season tally to 11 goals in only 13 starts. It remains to be seen if he can catch Lautaro, who, for the purpose of this gameweek, failed to match the former Lille man’s figures. 

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