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Ademola Lookman's Atalanta have been knocked out of the Coppa Italia following a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan.
Not even Ademola Lookman’s incredible recent form could save Atalanta as they got knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Inter after a 1-0 loss.
Lookman’s good form did not earn him a starting place as Duvan Zapata was tasked with leading the Atalanta line, but he and the rest of his teammates could not find a way through Inter’s rock solid defense and that has cost them a place in the Copa Italia semifinal.
How it happened
Inter and Atalanta, separated by only two points in the Serie A table, met on Tuesday night to decide which club would carry on the quest for a trophy in the Coppa Italia, and which would be left chasing other competitions.
The first half was for all intents and purposes a cagey affair with few chances to speak of. Despite Romelu Lukaku getting his first start for Inter since the Nerazzurri’s first game of 2023 against Napoli, Inter struggled to create clear-cut chances for the big man upfront, and it was in Atalanta who had the best chance of the opening period.
Duvan Zapata latching on to a brilliant cross from Joakim Mæhle should have done much better with his free header but managed to sky his effort from point-blank range.
Despite not seeing the quality of chances that Atalanta did, Inter came closest to scoring in the first half, but Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu could only watch his effort cannon off the base of the post.
In the second half, Atalanta tried to turn the screw on Inter, bringing on regulars, Lookman and Rasmus Winther Højlund, but it was Inter instead who found a goal through a very unlikely source.
Wing-back Matteo Darmian found some space on the edge of the area after brilliant intricate play by Inter to rifle home his second goal of the season, and his eighth for Inter in nearly 100 appearances for the club.
Try as Atalanta did, they could not find a way through Inter’s stubborn defence, who became the first to stop Atalanta from scoring in the month of January, after seven matches in all competitions.
Lookman and Atalanta crash out of Coppa Italia
Atalanta scored 22 goals in the month of January, but on the final day of the month when they needed it the most, goals eluded them.
The loss means that Atalanta now have only the faint hopes of catching Napoli in the Serie A as the only opportunity for a trophy this season. However, they are better off focusing on reaching the race for a UEFA Champions League place next season.
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