The Rossoneri, second by two points, will pass the Nerazzurri in the event of victory over La Spezia (6:30 p.m.), even if Inter keep a joker with a game in hand.

Atalanta (4th) certainly resisted the best attack and took a point against a team that remained on eight straight wins in Serie A. But they also missed the opportunity to get on the podium and take a little margin on Juve (5th), in ambush at one point.

However, Gian Piero Gasperini's men did not spare their efforts to press and hinder Simone Inzaghi's technicians.

But that did not prevent the Nerazzurri from offering themselves the first clear chances: a header from Edin Dzeko alongside (16th) then a shot from Alexis Sanchez, preferred to Lautaro Martinez after his decisive goal in the Super Cup against Juventus (2-1 ap), hijacked by Juan Musso (26th).

Inter Milan's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez during the match of the 22nd day of Serie A, January 16, 2022 in Bergamo MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

The "Dea" then trembled in front of Dzeko (59th, 71st), Arturo Vidal (76th) then Danilo D'Ambrosio (89th).

But in this balanced match, Inter could also have lost without the decisive interventions of their goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, imperial in front of Matteo Pessina (49th) and Luis Muriel (80th).

"It was a nice 0-0. It was a difficult match but we played evenly matched, even if we fell a little at the end of the game," said DAZN Gasperini.

Portuguese recruits in evidence

"It's a good point, we take it, because we could win as well as we could lose," replied Handanovic, who is not worried about seeing AC Milan possibly go ahead: "There is still a half of championship to play, no pressure."

The 22nd day, played in stadiums that sounded a little hollow again with a maximum capacity temporarily reduced to 5,000 spectators (instead of 50%), was also that of Portuguese rookies Nani and Sergio Oliveira, who stood out for their beginnings with Venice and Roma.

The former Manchester United striker offered David Okereke the equalizing goal for Venice against Empoli (1-1), a few seconds after entering (73rd).

"I haven't trained a lot with the team, I'm not currently in the best condition, but when you want to do things well, it's possible," smiled Nani, 35, who played these three last seasons in the North American championship, in Orlando.

Sergio Oliveira, 29, wanted by his compatriot José Mourinho to strengthen the middle of AS Roma, scored the only goal for the Giallorossi against Cagliari (1-0), from the penalty spot (33rd).

AS Roma's Portuguese midfielder, Sergio Oliveira, congratulated by English striker Tammy Abraham, after opening the scoring on a penalty against Cagliari, during the 22nd day of Serie A, on January 16, 2022 at the Olympic Stadium Filippo MONTEFORTE AFP

Roma, dominating but unable to add another goal, was saved at the end of the match by the other Portuguese team, goalkeeper Rui Patricio, decisive and helped by his bar in front of Joao Pedro (84th).

"It's a very important victory, in a game that was controlled from start to finish but which could have ended 1-1. We need more Sergio Oliveira, more experienced players," said Mourinho.

© 2022 AFP