AC Milan hosted Atalanta at San Siro during one of the darkest yet most decisive moments of the season. The atmosphere was thick with dissatisfaction directed at the Rossoneri, who risk missing out on Champions League qualification after weeks of sterile play, especially in attack. In response, Massimiliano Allegri attempted to introduce some adjustments, fielding Santiago Giménez alongside Rafael Leão in the starting lineup.
The Portuguese winger created the first chance of the match down the left flank, but the clearest opportunity came in the 4th minute when Adrien Rabiot fired from outside the box, hitting the outside of the post. While the Rossoneri tried to respond, Atalanta took the lead in the 7th minute through Éderson, who pounced on a loose ball after Giacomo Raspadori’s effort from a low cross by Charles De Ketelaere: 0-1.
Atalanta celebrating Éderson’s goal against AC Milan.
Daniele Mascolo
Raspadori’s second-striker role seemed to unsettle Milan’s setup, preventing them from delivering balls into Atalanta’s box. In the 16th minute, the Dea had a double chance: first Krstović from distance, then Zappacosta with a powerful cross from the right. Milan’s defense tried to close ranks, and Mike Maignan had to intervene multiple times, effectively limiting his performance to defensive duties.
However, in the 30th minute, the Rossoneri failed to read the play down the right flank. Zappacosta intercepted a pass from Krstović, overpowered Gabbia in a duel, and scored to make it 0-2 as San Siro whistled at the home side.
Milan’s response came in the 34th minute with their first truly notable action: Giménez received a through ball and shot with his left, but the referee flagged for offside. Leão also tried to make an impact, cutting inside past Zappacosta and firing at Carnesecchi, but it wasn’t enough to find the net. The same fate befell Saelemaekers, who before halftime first attempted a left-footed strike from outside the box and then tried again after a one-two with Giménez, only for Hien to close him down.
The second half began with Leão accelerating down the left and shooting with his right, but it didn’t produce a goal or spark a reaction from Milan. In the 52nd minute, Ricci and the Portuguese lost possession while playing out from the back, and Atalanta quickly capitalized. Raspadori beat De Winter and unleashed a powerful shot to the near post for 0-3.
All of this unfolded under the gaze of Luka Modrić, seated in the stands, while the Curva Sud left the stands in protest, leaving that section of the stadium empty. Allegri’s idea then shifted to playing without both strikers, fielding Niclas Füllkrug with support from Saelemaekers and Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman tried a right-footed shot on the counterattack, but the individual effort didn’t pay off. Nkunku became Milan’s main hope in the final stretch to stay alive. Another solo run in the 64th minute, starting from the left, led to a shot, but Carnesecchi made a good save. Atalanta then regained control with a flowing move: after a low cross from Bellanova, Krstović nearly scored, deflecting the ball just wide. The Dea’s superiority was already evident in the result.