An enthralling Serie A encounter at the Gewiss Stadium produced late drama and numerous breathtaking moments as Atalanta toppled Milan 3-2. Another poor away result for Rossoneri has left their faint Scudetto hopes in tatters.
Milan won back-to-back league games in the build-up to today’s fixture, but both those victories came at the San Siro. Stefano Pioli’s men had dropped a two-goal cushion on their previous two Serie A travels, drawing 2-2 against Lecce and Napoli. Therefore, despite Atalanta’s rough patch, Rossoneri couldn’t have taken anything for granted.
Charles De Ketelaere failed to open the scoring against his parent club, unfathomably skying the ball well over the bar from barely a yard out. However, Milan looked tired and unable to respond to Atalanta’s early warning despite enjoying more possession. Pioli’s side forced several high turnovers but couldn’t find a final touch.
After Milan spurned their chances, Atalanta made them pay late in the first half through a fortunate goal from Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian drew first blood as his effort from the edge of the box took a deflection off a defender. But the visitors replied on the stroke of halftime, with Olivier Giroud heading home Alessandro Florenzi’s cross.
It took Atalanta ten minutes into the second half to regain the lead. De Ketelaere served Lookman on a plate, with the quicksilver forward tapping the ball past helpless Mike Maignan. But Milan fought back again as Luka Jovic came off the bench to put Christian Pulisic’s cross across the face of goal into the back of the net.
When it looked like the teams would share the spoils, Luis Muriel came up with a moment of brilliance, netting a jaw-dropping backheel goal to inspire Atalanta to a last-gasp win.
Milan (4-3-3)
Mike Maignan – 6.5
Couldn’t do anything to stop Lookman on both occasions. Pulled off a stunning double save to deny the Nigerian a hat-trick. Tried to sell the same cross-field pass that teed up Pulisic against Frosinone several times but couldn’t connect with his outfield teammates today.
Davide Calabria – 3
Dependable at the back as ever but left Samuel Chukwueze on an island to fight Atalanta’s defenders on his own, refusing to make forward runs even when there was space. Hung his side out to dry with a late red card.
Fikayo Tomori – 3.5
A dismal performance from the English center-back as he had a fair share of the blame for both Atalanta goals and had some panic reactions when he should’ve done better.
Theo Hernandez – 4.5
The 26-year-old, deployed as a makeshift center-back again, often swapped places with Florenzi when Milan tried to build from the back or catch Atalanta on the break. But lost track of Lookman for Atalanta’s second.
Alessandro Florenzi – 6.5
Heavily involved in a build-up play, constantly moving around off the ball to open spaces for his teammates. Picked up an assist for his troubles.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
While putting his stamp on virtually every Milan move in the front third, his hesitance to release the ball earlier cast a shadow on his decent overall performance.
Yunus Musah – 5.5
Put in a shift but lacked guile despite finding himself in promising positions as if he had no confidence to take more risks in one-on-one situations.
Tijjani Reijnders – 5
Like in the match against Frosinone, the Dutch midfielder struggled to make an impact in the center of the field, misplacing too many simple passes.
Samuel Chukwueze – 3.5
With most of the visiting side’s attacks going through the opposite wing, the Nigerian had a marginal role today, especially early in the second half. A terrible evening for the left-footed winger.
Christian Pulisic – 7
Undoubtedly Milan’s liveliest performer in the first half, twisting and turning on the left-hand side, but couldn’t reap benefits from his electrifying display. Faded away after halftime before setting Jovic up on a platter.
Olivier Giroud – 6.5
Looked rusty in the opening stages and even made painful gestures, perhaps to confuse his markers, before leveling the score with a thumping header.
Substitutes
Ismael Bennacer – 6.5
Luka Jovic – 7
Yacine Adli – N/A
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