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| Edin Dzeko of FC Internazionale shoots during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Bergamo, Italy. |
Inter Milan have failed to score a goal in a Serie A match for the first time in almost a year as they drew 0-0 at Atalanta.
There were plenty of opportunities for both sides but no goals as Inter's eight-match winning streak in the Italian top-flight was brought to an end, giving hope to the teams immediately below the defending champions.
Inter are two points above AC Milan and seven clear of third-place Napoli.
Atalanta, in fourth, remained eight points adrift of the Nerazzurri.
Inter last failed to score in a league game in a goalless draw at Udinese on January 23, 2021.
Fresh from winning the Italian Super Cup midweek, Inter were aiming to take a step toward another title.
Atalanta were missing a number of players including Josip Ilicic and Ruslan Malinovskyi, who were both reportedly out with the coronavirus.
Both sides attacked from the start and Inter almost took the lead in the 26th minute but Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso did brilliantly to fingertip Alexis Sanchez's strike over the bar.
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| Edin Dzeko of FC Internazionale competes for the ball with Merih Demiral of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Bergamo, Italy. |
Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic did the same at the other end, early in the second half, to prevent Matteo Pessina from breaking the deadlock.
Inter had another great chance in the 66th from Edin Dzeko's cross from the left but a last-ditch tackle from Giuseppe Pezzella, almost on the line, prevented Matteo Darmian from sliding in and putting the ball into an empty net.
Elsewhere, Sergio Oliveira marked his Serie A debut by winning and converting a penalty to help his new side Roma to a 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cagliari.
Oliveira, who joined on loan from Porto on Wednesday, netted in the 34th minute to help Roma end a winless streak of three matches and move into sixth spot.
Nani had an immediate impact as he provided an assist moments after coming on to help Venezia rescue a 1-1 draw against Empoli.
The Portuguese veteran came on for his Venezia debut 18 minutes from time and the former Manchester United player set up David Okereke moments later.
Szymon Zurkowski had scored the opener for Empoli in the 26th minute.
Meanwhile, Antonin Barak bagged a hat-trick as Verona won 4-2 at Sassuolo.
