Battle Of The Central Defenders In Inter Milan Trip To Atalanta As Switzerland & Sweden Stars Hope To Be Decisive | OneFootball

Atalanta vs Inter will also feature a key battle between Manuel Akanji and Isak Hien, with the two central defenders set to play decisive roles at opposite ends of the pitch in Bergamo.

As highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the duel between the Swiss and Swedish internationals stands out among the many individual contests within the match.

Isak Hien arrives in strong form after scoring the winning goal against Genoa, underlining his growing influence in Atalanta’s defensive structure.

On the other side, Manuel Akanji is still searching for his first goal in Inter colours.

While goals were never his primary calling card, Akanji did find the net five times in 136 appearances during his spell at Manchester City, showing his threat from set pieces and late runs.

Hien Vs Akanji Key For Atalanta Vs Inter Showdown

BERN, SWITZERLAND – NOVEMBER 26: Portrait of Isak Hien of Atalanta during the UCL anthem prior the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between BSC Young Boys and Atalanta BC at Stadion Wankdorf on November 26, 2024 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

Stylistically, the two defenders offer contrasting profiles. Hien thrives on aggression, front-foot defending and physical duels.

Akanji, by contrast, brings composure in possession and a stronger passing range, acting as a facilitator in Inter’s build-up play rather than a pure stopper.

There is also a generational gap.

Akanji is around three-and-a-half years older and boasts a different trophy haul, including a Champions League medal.

Hien counters with his Europa League triumph in 2024, a landmark moment in his career.

Alongside Alessandro Bastoni, Akanji leads Inter in a key underlying metric: the balance between expected goals for and against when he is on the pitch.

It is a statistic that reinforces his importance not just defensively, but as a structural pillar in possession.

In a match likely to hinge on fine margins, the influence of both central defenders could prove decisive.