Inter Milan 1-1 Atalanta – Refereeing Controversy Aside Nerazzurri Disasterclass Opens Door For AC Milan Scudetto Fightback | OneFootball

The Scudetto race is officially back open; the unambiguous verdict of La Repubblica following Inter Milan and their 1-1 draw with Atalanta, and while the referee controversy has dominated the headlines, the outlet are equally scathing about Inter’s own contribution to their undoing.

“The draw snatched by Atalanta at San Siro in the final minutes, amid Inter’s protests against the referee, hands Milan an unexpected opportunity, one that was perhaps unthinkable on the eve of the March 8th derby,” Repubblica write, via FCInterNews.

Nine games remain. The gap has narrowed.

And the atmosphere around the title race, they note, is “increasingly poisoned.”

With every big match now ending in controversy over refereeing decisions.

Indeed, a climate that risks distracting from what happens on the pitch.

Inter Milan 1-1 Atalanta – Lacklustre Nerazzurri Can’t Use Referee As Only Excuse

The media blackout Inter chose after the final whistle, Repubblica observe pointedly, also had the convenient effect of avoiding a more uncomfortable conversation.

Namely, how Inter failed to win a home match in which they led after 25 minutes.

On that front, the verdict is damning.

Thuram spurned two chances to double the lead.

And Chivu, according to Repubblica, had no tactical answer when Palladino responded by introducing a heavyweight attacking trio of Sulemana, Krstovic and De Ketelaere in the closing stages.

“The half-disaster at San Siro is not only about the referee,” they conclude. It is a line that will sting, and one Inter cannot afford to ignore.