Atalanta vs. Inter Milan, Preview: Nerazzurri hope to stay the pace

Oh where, oh where have the little goals gone? They've gone, they're gone, away to other sides. Atalanta have just 10 goals thus far, beating out only Palermo and Pescara. At least Pescara have the excuse that their scorers were woo'd away by other clubs -- as for la dea, it seems Germán Denis has simply forgotten how to get the ball in the back of the net.

But if they're going to get a goal against Inter, this is the week to do so. Andrea Stramaccioni is without two of his trusty center backs, with both Andrea Ranocchia and Walter Samuel out with injury. That puts a bit of a wrinkle in Strama's back three, which has been quite effective this season. But with only Juan Jesus and Matías Silvestre healthy, it'll almost half to be a back four, unless Esteban Cambiasso drops into the three.

Considering it's almost a certainty that Juventus will beat Pescara, the nerazzurri head to Bergamo knowing they've got to score, particularly with this unstable defense. Fortunately, Diego Milito, Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio are all healthy, so goals are practically inevitable. A win over Atalanta means Inter can, at the least, maintain their pace, staying just one point behind Juve.

Atalanta Injuries and Suspensions

Daniele Capelli, Adriano Ferreira Pinto and Ivan Radovanovic

Nothing new for Atalanta.

Inter Milan Injuries and Suspensions

Cristian Chivu, Philippe Coutinho, Jonathan, Joel Obi, Andrea Ranocchia, Walter Samuel, Wesley Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic (injured)

Well, uh...at least Inter don't have anyone suspended?

Match Date / Time: Sunday, November 11 at 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo

TV: Sky Calcio 1 (Italy); BeIN Sport (USA); RAI Internazionale