Thuram double helps Inter rout Atalanta and Torino maintains strong start with win at Venezia
Torino's Ivan Ilic, left, and Venezia's Michael Svoboda in action during the Serie A soccer match between Venezia and Torino at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium in Venice, Italy, Friday Aug. 30, 2024. Credit: AP/Marco Alpozzi
MILAN — Marcus Thuram scored twice and played a starring role as reigning champion Inter Milan went to the top of Serie A after a 4-0 win over Atalanta on Friday.
The result extended Inter’s unbeaten start to the season and tied it at the top with Torino, which beat Venezia 1-0 earlier in the day. Both teams have seven points from three games.
Inter started the match in devastating style with two goals in the first 10 minutes.
The opener was a disaster for Atalanta defender Berat Djimsiti. He stretched to stop Thuram’s cross but succeeded only in deflecting the ball past his own goalkeeper.
There was no luck about the second seven minutes later. Nicolò Barella volleyed home a cracker from the edge of the box to give Inter a commanding early lead.
Thuram hit the woodwork before halftime but he deservedly got his name on the scoresheet two minutes into the second half when he seized on a loose ball in the box and poked it home.
Nine minutes later, he got his second with another opportunist goal inside the penalty area.
Venezia's Francesco Zampano, right, and Torino's Saul Coco in action during the Serie A soccer match between Venezia and Torino at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium in Venice, Italy, Friday Aug. 30, 2024. Credit: AP/Marco Alpozzi
Earlier, Saul Coco scored with five minutes remaining to give Torino a 1-0 win at Venezia and extend its unbeaten start to the season.
Coco’s glancing header came at the end of a tepid game in which neither side created many clear-cut chances.
It was the central defender’s first Serie A goal since joining Torino from Las Palmas this summer.
Venezia has one point from its first three matches and is second to last on the table. Atalanta is eighth.
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