Inter beat Atalanta 1-0 away thanks to Lautaro Martínez, staying top of Serie A with 36 points from 16 games, while AC Milan remain 1 point behind after a 3-0 win and Napoli sit 3rd following a 2-0 victory.
Inter continued their steady march at the top of Serie A on Sunday with a hard fought 1-0 away win against Atalanta, a result that reinforced their status as the pace setters of the Italian title race.
In a league where away matches against well organised, high intensity sides often decide championships, Inter’s ability to come through in Bergamo with three points felt significant, not only for the table but also for the message it sends to their closest rivals.
The match itself followed a familiar pattern for a clash between two teams that know each other well. The first half ended goalless, shaped by tactical caution and a strong defensive structure from both sides. Atalanta, backed by their home support, looked to impose their usual aggressive approach, pushing forward in phases and attempting to disrupt Inter’s build up. Inter, however, remained composed, refusing to turn the game into the type of chaotic contest that Atalanta often thrive in. Instead, they focused on controlling transitions, limiting spaces between the lines, and keeping the match within a tempo that suited their own strengths.
Inter’s patience was rewarded after the interval. In the 65th minute, Lautaro Martínez delivered the decisive moment, scoring the only goal of the game and ensuring that Inter left Bergamo with a victory that could prove pivotal in the longer narrative of the season. It was the sort of goal that leaders often find, arriving in a match where margins were tight and where clear chances were limited. For Inter, that ability to remain calm until the breakthrough arrives has increasingly become a defining feature of their campaign.
With the win, Inter maintained top spot with 36 points from 16 matches. Beyond the raw total, the timing matters. Serie A seasons are often decided by short stretches where contenders face difficult away fixtures, handle pressure, and avoid dropping points in games that are not glamorous but are deeply demanding. Inter, at least in this round, passed that test.
Atalanta, despite the defeat, will take encouragement from their competitiveness across the 90 minutes, especially in the first half when they managed to keep Inter from settling into a dominant rhythm. But the result also highlights a challenge Atalanta have faced in big games, where creating sustained threat against the very best organised defences can be difficult when opponents deny space in behind and stay disciplined during transition moments. In these contests, a single lapse in concentration can define the outcome, and that is exactly what happened when Martínez found the opening.
The win also set the stage for the continued pursuit from AC Milan. Milan responded to the pressure by beating Verona 3-0, keeping themselves firmly in the title conversation. They sit just 1 point behind Inter, having played the same number of matches. That gap remains small enough to keep the race wide open, and the nature of Milan’s win also matters: a comfortable scoreline suggests confidence and control, the kind of performance that helps maintain momentum during a long season.
Milan’s victory came without Rafael Leão, the Portugal international who missed out through injury. His absence is a notable storyline in itself, because Milan’s attacking identity often leans heavily on Leão’s ability to destabilise defences through pace, direct running, and chance creation. Winning convincingly without him will be welcomed by Milan’s staff and supporters, as it underlines the depth and flexibility within the squad. Over a season where injuries and fatigue inevitably affect every contender, the ability to maintain results without key players can be decisive.
Napoli remain close enough to keep genuine pressure on the top 2. Their 2-0 away win against Cremonese left them in 3rd with 34 points from 16 matches, only a short distance from the summit. Napoli’s position is particularly interesting given their recent success in lifting the Italian Super Cup against Bologna. That trophy can serve as both a confidence boost and a signal that the squad has the mentality to win finals and manage high expectation environments. The challenge now is to translate that momentum into consistency in the league, where week to week focus often matters more than peaks of brilliance.
Bologna, fresh from their Super Cup disappointment, were held at home to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo. The point keeps them in 7th with 26 points, a respectable standing that still leaves the club in contention for European places depending on how the next phase of the season develops. Matches like this, though, can feel like missed opportunities, especially at home against opposition positioned lower in the table. Sassuolo, 9th with 22 points, will see the draw as a useful result and a reminder of their capacity to compete away from home when they stay compact and take their chances.
Looking across the table, the picture is clear. Inter are first, Milan are close behind, and Napoli are positioned to capitalise if either of the top 2 show vulnerability. At this stage of the season, every point carries added weight because the schedule begins to test squad depth and mental resilience. Title challenges are often shaped by how teams handle the balance between performance and pragmatism, and Inter’s win at Atalanta felt like a prime example of that balance. It was not a match built on spectacle, but it was built on control, patience, and a decisive contribution at the critical moment.
If the early signs are any indication, Serie A is heading toward a tightly contested run where small details, injuries, and results in difficult away fixtures will define the outcome. For now, Inter remain the team to catch, and victories like this one are the reason why.
