Serie A | Inter 1-1 Atalanta: Chivu anger at more dropped points | OneFootball

Inter were furious after protesting two refereeing decisions in the final minutes of their 1-1 draw with Atalanta, as Nikola Krstovic cancelled out a Francesco Pio Esposito opener.

It had been a rough week for both sides, as the hosts lost the Derby della Madonnina and saw their lead at the top reduced to seven points. La Dea scraped one point from two Serie A rounds, then were humiliated 6-1 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Alessandro Bastoni joined Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu on the treatment table, though Marcus Thuram returned and Denzel Dumfries got his first start since November 2025. Giacomo Raspadori, Charles De Ketelaere and Ederson were still carrying muscular issues.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Federico Dimarco shinned a volley from a similar position to one he scored against Genoa, while Yann Sommer only parried a Gianluca Scamacca low drive on the counter-attack, managing to smother before Scalvini could pounce on the rebound.

Inter opened the scoring when Dumfries intercepted the ball for Sead Kolasinac and Niccolò Barella sent it down the left for Pio Esposito’s precise angled drive, surprising Marco Carnesecchi at the near post.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Dimarco flashed another attempt across the face of goal, while Piotr Zielinski’s counter-attack was deflected just wide.

Twice Dumfries tried and failed to steer a header on target at the back post from Dimarco crosses, while Thuram blasted just wide of the near top corner following a Mario Pasalic error.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta controls the ball whilst under pressure from Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan surged forward to set up Thuram, forcing a desperate Carnesecchi save one-on-one, then Dumfries couldn’t keep his finish down under pressure on a roll across from the right.

Lorenzo Bernasconi got it all wrong with a badly scuffed finish on the Nikola Krstovic lay-off, allowing Carlos Augusto to charge it down.

Thuram turned a back-heel flick wide of the near post from Ange-Yoan Bonny’s pull-back.

De Ketelaere made his comeback for Atalanta, but Manuel Akanji limped off for Inter in the final minutes.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Mario Pasalic of Atalanta is challenged by Nicolo Barella of Inter during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Atalanta equalised in controversial circumstances, as Kamaldeen Sulemana robbed Dumfries just outside the area, tested Sommer, and Krstovic was free to turn in the rebound. Referee Manganiello had the whistle in his mouth after that contact, but never blew it, and VAR also gave the all-clear, a decision that saw Cristian Chivu sent off for his furious protests. Dumfries claimed he had been fouled, but any contact seemed minimal.

Inter were also enraged moments later when Giorgio Scalvini caught Davide Frattesi on the boot as they both went for a bouncing ball, but the referee and VAR ignored penalty appeals.

Both sides pushed to the end, but these are more dropped points for the Nerazzurri.

Inter 1-1 Atalanta

Esposito 26 (I), Krstovic 82 (A)