Well, what a game that turned out to be! So dominant were Milan throughout the first half, and most of the second, that there really seemed to be no way back whatsoever for Atalanta, however that controversial penalty, and even more controverisial second goal, meant that the final score was far closer than anyone would've thought when Leao tucked home Milan's third goal!
Although he and his team were very much second best for the vast majority of that match, Duvan Zapata can be pleased that he played a big, big role in what could've been an unbelievable comeback. A goal and an assist, from three shots on target and three key passes, proved that despite the introduction of Ilicic and Muriel from the bench, the Colombia international is still very much the main man when it comes to his side's endeavours, in both Serie A, and on the continent.
With that commanding, for the most part, win, Milan remain unbeaten, and overtake their intercity rivals Inter to go second in the table behind Napoli. And, with players like Ibrahimovic, Olivier Giroud and Allesandro Florenzi yet to return to the side, Stefano Pioli can have confidence that this Milan side can go all the way to win their first Serie A title since 2011. Atalanta, meanwhile, won't take many positives out of this game, but with his side top of their Champions League group, Gian Piero Gasperini will have confidence that this underwhelming performance was merely a blip, as Atalanta continue to punch above their weight.
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
That's all from our coverage of this match, we look forward to seeing you in the next one. For now though, goodbye.22:58
FULL-TIME: ATALANTA 2-3 MILAN.22:42
90'+4'
There are several pleas from Milan defenders, Kjaer in particular, that Zapata fouled Messias in the winning of that crossed ball. However, the referee judges that the big Colombian forward simply outmuscled the Milan midfielder and the goal stands!22:41
90'+4'
GOOOALLL!!! This might not be over just yet!!! Zapata overpowers Messias on the byline and crosses through a fleet of Milan defenders to the unmarked Pasalic. He has all the time in the world to pick his shot, and finishes past Maignan to make it 3-2!!!! We're into the last minute and this game is hotting up once again!!
A lovely chipped throughball from Bennacer is aimed towards Messias, however Palomino is there to flick the ball out for a Milan corner.22:40
90'+1'
We're into an additional four minutes of added time as Milan look to wind down the clock, in what has been an extremely impressive performance away from home.22:37
90'
Pietro Pellegri comes on for Milan, replacing the scorer of his team's third goal in Leao, who has been everywhere for the away side tonight.22:36
88'
Leão is the next to be booked, as he takes far too long taking a throw-in up the field and is rightfully carded by the referee.22:34
87'
Captain Freuler is replaced by Mario Pasalic for Atalanta. He'll be glad to see the back of this game, as he was dispossessed all too easily by Tonali, for Milan's second goal.22:58
86'
GOOOALLL!!! Atalanta are finally on the board!! Zapata steps up for the penalty, and makes no mistake in sending Maignan the wrong way to make it 3-1! A consolation goal in what has been a dismal performance by Atalanta's usual high standards.
Messias is booked for blocking Zappacosta's shot with his hand. It's Mike Maignan who'll be more bothered though, as his clean sheet may now be eradicated!22:31
84'
The referee goes over to the VAR screen for what seems like an age, this is looking likely to be given as an Atalanta penalty. A lifeline for the home side? Perhaps.22:30
82'
CHANCE!!!! A scramble in the Milan box sees the ball fall to Zappacosta, and his fierce shot deflects back off Messias. Atalanta players claim handball, and we may be having a closer look at this one...22:29
80'
Fodé Ballo-Touré is also introduced, replacing Theo Hernandez who like Tonali, has been excellent for Milan in this game.22:28
80'
The impressive Tonali is replaced by Bennacaer, and the former is cheered loudly by the travelling Milan supporters.22:28
78'
The link-up between Hernandez and the substitute Messias was the architect of that well-worked third goal. The two shared possession of the ball from one box to the other, and Leao was on hand to apply the finishing touch. No way back for Atalanta now, and they haven't looked like troubling Milan at all in this second period.22:27
78'
GOOOOALLL!!! That surely wraps it up for Milan! Messias and Hernandez break forward and the substitute selflessly leaves Hernandez's throughball for Leao to latch onto, who makes no mistake in firing the ball past Musso to make it 3-0 to Milan!! Game, set and match? It's beyond any reasonable doubt now.
Koopmeiners, who is somewhat of a long-range goal specialist, is in acres of space as Zapata looks to pick a pass, however he instead feeds Ilicic, only for the subsititute to lazily backheel the ball forwards to no one as Milan regather possession. 22:24
76'
Diaz, who has been involved in 13 duels in this match, didn't manage to add to his three goals in seven games so far this season, however his presence in the pocket behind Rebic has been felt throughout the game, as his more defensively-minded team-mates, in Calabria and Tonali, got themselves on the scoresheet.22:22
74'
Diaz is withdrawn by Milan manager Stefano Pioli, and Brazilian loanee Junior Messias takes his place.22:19
72'
Tonali and Saelemaekers link up beautifully just outside Atalanta's box, however De Roon nips in front of the Belgian to divert the ball away for a corner.22:19
70'
Pezzella finds himself in a position to shoot, however it's on his weaker right foot and is easily blocked by the ever-dependable Kjaer for Milan. Time is running out for Atalanta to salvage something from this game.22:17
68'
It's difficult to see where any sign of a goal is going to appear for Atalanta, particularly given that their most dangerous player, Malinovskiy, with three good crosses from a total of seven completed, was taken off for Ilicic just before the hour mark.22:15
66'
Pezzella looks to open up a chance down the left for Atalanta and cuts back an inviting cross from the byline, however nobody is there to meet the ball and Milan easily deal with the threat.22:12
64'
Calabria is again involved, this time at the corner, flicking the ball to Rebic. However, the Croatian's volleyed cross is loosely hit, and finds no one, before the home side are able to clear.22:15
62'
Calabria again drives forward and links up with Diaz on the edge of the box. He looks to beat Musso with a low shot from the outside of his boot, but it deflects off Djimsiti and flies over for a corner!22:08
60'
WHAT A SAVE!!! A brilliant Rebic cross finds Saelemaekers, whose close-range, goalbound header is superbly kept out by Musso with an acrobatic save!22:09
59'
Ilicic's first touch is far from memorable, as he chooses to shoot and blazes the free-kick high over the bar.22:04
58'
Hernandez brings down Zappacosta near Milan's left-side corner flag, and Atalanta have a dangerous-looking free-kick which Ilicic will cross in.22:04
56'
Likewise, Malinovskiy, who has somewhat impressed, is brought off for the ever-dangerous Josip Ilicic.22:02
56'
Maehle is withdrawn in place of Colombian striker Luis Muriel, as Atalanta look to spark a greater attacking impetus further up the pitch.22:02
55'
The pace of the game has slowed to a snail's pace to coincide with a downpouring of rain that started around half-time. It'll be interesting to see how both sides contend with these conditions from now on, especially as Atalanta chase this two-goal defecit.22:01
53'
Malinovskiy takes a long, long run-up to the free kick that he hammers goalwards, however the inaccurate shot flies past Maignan's left post and behind for a goal kick,21:59
52'
Tomori picks up Milan's first booking having pulled back Maehle as the Atalanta wing-back looked to break away.21:57
50'
Leao just beats Djimsiti for pace and crosses into the box looking for Rebic, however a backwards clearance from De Roon sees Zappacosta having to race back to clear the danger!21:57
48'
Atalanta look to start the fightback right from the offset and do well to win a corner, however the resultant cross is hit too hard, and does little to trouble Maignan.21:55
46'
Atalanta have introduced Teun Koopmeiners in place of Demiral, with their summer signing from AZ likely to play in defensive midfield.21:51
46'
Milan will re-start the match, as they look to put the reuslt beyond any doubt in the second half!21:50
The teams are back out and ready to go, and it looks like Milan's game to lose barring a momentous fightback from the home side!22:56
Tonali ran the show for Milan in that first half, with all of his 26 passes finding their intended targets, and 23 of them being forward-thinking passes to aid in his team's attacking output. That, and his well-timed second goal, have put Milan in the driving seat at Gewiss Stadium, and should Tonali keep this up in the second period, Atalanta can surely see no way back from this two-goal defecit.21:41
Well, what a way to start and end that first half! Milan set about Atalanta from the very first whistle at breakneck speed, and were rewarded with the opener less than half a minute in! The half did somehwat lose its intensity towards the middle as Pessina was withdrawn, however up popped Tonali just before half-time to snatch a second for the away side! Atalanta have lots of work to do if they're to pull this game back, from a Milan side now firmly in control.21:37
45'+2'
HALF-TIME: ATALANTA 0-2 MILAN.21:35
45'
We have two additional minutes of stoppage time to play in this first half, and Milan fans couldn't have asked for two better-timed goals heading towards the interval.21:51
45'
CLOSE!!! Milan nearly have a third as the ball comes out to Kessie on the edge of the box. The Ivorian looks to curl a shot around Musso, but his strong effort just beats the post and the home crowd take a hugh sigh of relief.21:34
44'
Atalanta fans will be fuming wth their captain Freuler for that loss of possession that led to the goal. Tonali snuck up on Freuler, who should've seen the challenge coming, and from then on, it was easy pickings for the Milan midfielder who carelessly beat the helpless Musso!21:52
42'
Diaz is booked by the referee having vehemently protested De Roon's challenges, but then does the exact same to Malinovskiy!21:53
42'
GOOOALLL!!! Milan double their lead! Tonali easily dispossesses Freuler and is one-on-one with Musso, and the Italy international calmly side-foots a deft shot past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to Milan!
De Roon again brings down Hernandez, in an almost identical position, and as a result receives the first booking of the match.21:29
38'
Hernandez is caught late by De Roon and the Dutch midfielder does well to avoid a booking as Tonali stands over the resultant free-kick.21:53
36'
Despite having taken seven corners to Milan's one, Atalanta have done very little to trouble Maignan in the away team's goal. He has had a mere three saves to make, all of which were relatively straight-forward.21:25
34'
Zapata does well to get past Kjaer and looks for runners into the box. With little to aim at, he instead tries a shot, however the effort is weak and from a tight angle, not worrying Maignan in the slightest.21:22
32'
Milan look to press forwards once again as Saelemaekers chases a long ball into the box, however he's nowhere near it as Musso races out and collects the ball for Atalanta.21:21
30'
Neither side have created much in the way of chances since Pessina's subsitution. A sign perhaps that the introduction of Pezzella was to limit the threat of Milan, particularly down that right-hand-side?21:20
28'
Calabria, captaining his side tonight, opened the scoring after just 28 seconds, and that early strike was not only his first of the season, but only his sixth goal for Milan since making his debut in 2015.21:19
26'
It'll be interesting to see how Gian Piero Gasperini handles the loss of Pessina, as natural left-back Pezzella doesn't appear to be a like-for-like replacement for the withdrawn creative midfielder.21:16
24'
Pessina is indeed replaced, by on-loan Roma defender Giuseppe Pezzella.21:12
23'
Pessina is still receiving treatment, just off to the side of the pitch, and it's looking increasingly doubtful as to whether the ex-Milan midifelder will be able to carry on.21:11
21'
It's chaos in the Milan box as several players from both sides compete for the ball. It's eventually cleared upfield by Milan, however Pessina is down in their box after a challenge from Tomori.21:09
20'
Rebic gets back to help his side out defensively but cannot prevent Atalanta from winning a corner. Despite being 1-0 down so early on, the home side have had four corners to Milan's one.21:08
19'
Leao breaks forward at pace and feeds Diaz. The Spaniard's drive is well hit, but is easily saved by the feet of Musso, and Palomino clears before Diaz can get to the rebound.21:07
18'
Atalanta break forward and do well to get the ball into the Milan box, Zappacosta races onto a dangerous-looking throughball from Pessina but Milan are able to deal with the threat and Leao charges upfield with the ball.21:13
16'
Milan win their first corner of the match after a Rebic shot is deflected wide, however Diaz's cross is hit far too strongly, and the home side can easily avert the danger.21:04
14'
CHANCE!!! Atalanta have their best chance by far, as Zapata looks to beat Maignan. The French goalkeeper can't hold the shot, however Malinovskiy's goalbound follow-up is cleared off the line by Tomori!21:03
13'
The corner is once again dealt with unconvincingly by Milan, however this time it's Zappacosta who tries a shot from range for Atalanta. His drive is blocked almost immediately however, by the back of Tomori.21:01
12'
Maehle looks to make up for his team-mate's error and forces a corner from the goalscorer Calabria.21:00
11'
Milan's pressing is heavily restricting Atalanta's options at the moment, as an attempted cross-field pass from Malinovskiy flies well beyond the reach of Maehle and goes out for a Milan throw.20:59
9'
The corner leads to a goalmouth scramble and the ball is eventually hoofed away. But, it's only as far as de Roon, whose volley is wayward to say the least, and flies high into the stands posing no threat to Maignan whatsoever.21:13
8'
Atalanta have slowly grown back into the game in the past few minutes, and a deflected throughball from Pessina wins his side their first corner of the match.21:14
7'
Milan once again press forward, and a ball from Diaz almost finds the chasing Leao, but the pass is just too long for the Portuguese winger to connect with, and the relieved Musso gathers.20:55
6'
Atalanta are finally able to conjure up a decent spell of possession, and Zapata breaks forward. However, his cross from the goal-line is inaccurate and flies well beyond Malinovskiy. The Atalanta players still look shell-shocked as to how Milan were able to carve them open so easily, at such an early stage.21:14
4'
Milan aren't letting Atalanta off the hook despite being 1-0 up, as Kessie races towards the box. His teasing cross from the byline is too long, however, and the Atalanta defenders breathe a sigh of relief following what has been a frantic opening few minutes.20:52
2'
That must be the fastest goal in Serie A this season, if not the last several! Milan started like a team possessed, and the ball from Hernandez to Calabria was absolutely delicious! What a start to this match, and if proceedings carry on in that manner, then we're in for one hell of a fixture at Gewiss Stadium.20:51
1'
GOOOOALLLLL!!!! WHAT A START FOR MILAN!!!! With just seconds on the clock, a delightful throughball from Hernandez finds Calabria of all people, and despite Musso saving his first shot, the Milan captain is on hand to tap in the rebound!!! Wow, just wow, we did not see that coming and Milan are 1-0 up inside thirty seconds!!!
KICK-OFF: It's the home side who get us underway, as Zapata kicks off for Atalanta!20:49
Both teams are on their way out of the tunnel at Gewiss Stadium, and kick-off is just moments away!20:43
Likewise for Milan, their side is also minus a key figure, with talismanic Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic once again missing as the 40-year-old veteran continues his recovery from an achilles injury.20:36
Unbeaten in their last five matches, Atalanta will have to contend this match without the influential Robin Gosens at left-wing-back, as the German international, the club's joint-top scorer so far this season, is absent through injury.20:32
MILAN SUBS: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Ismael Bennacer, Fode Ballo-Toure, Samu Castillejo, Alessio Romagnoli, Andrea Conti, Pierre Kalulu, Daniel Maldini, Junior Messias, Matteo Gabbia, Pietro Pellegri, Andreas Jungdal.20:36
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Simon Kjaer, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Franck Kessie; Alexis Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Ante Rebic.20:37
ATALANTA SUBS: Marco Sportiello, Giorgio Scalvini, Giuseppe Pezzella, Matteo Lovato, Francesco Rossi, Mario Pasalic, Luis Muriel, Josip Ilicic, Roberto Piccoli, Teun Koopmeiners, Aleksey Miranchuk.20:37
ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Juan Musso; Jose Luis Palomino, Berat Djimsiti, Merih Demiral; Davide Zappacosta, Marten de Roon, Remo Freuler, Joakim Maehle; Matteo Pessina; Ruslan Malinovskiy, Duvan Zapata.20:37
Third-placed Milan, however, are still unbeaten in the league, and will be hoping that a win tonight can bridge their five-point gap to leaders Napoli, who beat Fiorentina 2-1 earlier today. 20:17
Home side Atalanta, having drawn their last fixture, are seventh in the table, although anything but a defeat in this match would see them rise to fifth, above Fiorentina and Lazio.20:17
Hello, and welcome to live coverage of this Serie A fixture between Atalanta and Milan.20:37
Atalanta - Milan is a match of 7 day of the season Serie A 2021/2022. The match will be 3 october at 15:00 in the stadium Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. Referee of Atalanta - Milan will be Marco Di Bello with the help of Giovanni Baccini e Dario Cecconi. At VAR there will be Rosario Abisso.
Currently Atalanta is 8° in the standings with 11 points (thanks of 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats); while Milan is 2° in the standings with 19 points (thanks of 6 wins, 1 pareggio and 0 sconfitte). Atalanta scored 10 goals and conceded 9; Milan scored 15 goals and conceded 5.
At home Atalanta scored 4 points (1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses). Away Milan scored 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses). Atalanta in the last three matches of the season challenged Sassuolo, Inter and Mil obtaining 4 points thanks to 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Juventus, Venezia and Spezi obtaining 7 points thanks to 2 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses. In the last match Atalanta was against Milan losing 2-3 while Milan was against Spezia winning 1-2. The best scorer of the team coached by Gian Piero Gasperini is Duván Zapata with 3 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Brahim Díaz with 3 goals.
Atalanta and Milan competed 120 times in the league. In the previous matches Atalanta won 25 times, Milan won 52 times while the number of draw was 43.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Atalanta-Milan You can see the live match Atalanta-Milan here on Virgilio Sport starting 15:00 CET of 3 october. Discover who will broadcast live Atalanta - Milan between Sky and Dazn.
