Atalanta 1-1 AC Milan: Late Ronaldinho Goal Equalises For Rossoneri

A late Ronaldinho goal cancelled out Simone Tiribocchi's first-half strike and meant that Atalanta and AC Milan will have to share the spoils of an intense match.

Milan started out better, closing down on the whole pitch, but the first chance on goal belonged to Atalanta.

On nine minutes, Doni served Valdes from the right but the Chilean's volley went wide.

In the 19th minute, Huntelaar thought he had scored for Milan with a diving header following Seedorf's cross from the left, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

But Atalanta would not make the same mistake as they scored in the following minute. A low cross from the right into the box fell to Tribocchi, who slammed the ball past Storari from close range.

The home side were reduced to ten men five minutes before the break, as Radovanovic was shown his second yellow card after pulling down Pato at the half-way line.

Atalanta could have netted their second on 42 minutes, when Padoin did what he wanted with Zambrotta down the right before sending a cross for Tiribocchi, whose shot went over the bar.

The second period began with Ronaldinho being introduced for Mathieu Flamini, and the Rossoneri demonstrated their attacking intent two minutes later, but Pato's low shot from inside the box was saved by Consigli at point-blank range.

Milan were finding it very hard to break down Atalanta's defence, and had Filippo Inzaghi replace Huntelaar in the 57th minute in what was another fairly disappointing match by the Dutchman.

Atalanta were very close to scoring their second of the match in the 67th minute. A Guarente free-kick from the left was targetted at the centre of the box, where Manfredini moved ahead of Ambrosini but shockingly could not connect to the ball.

The visitors went in search of the equaliser and could have found it in the 77th minute, as Seedorf, following a scramble inside the box, picked up the ball and, facing the opposition of three defenders, still created space to send it goalwards but his effort was deflected past the post.

And the Rossoneri would equalise on 83 minutes. Nesta chipped the ball into the middle of the box to Ronaldinho, who controlled it down with his chest and smashed it home without letting it touch the ground.

The last chance of the match belonged to Milan, who almost got the winning goal two minutes before stoppage time in a counter-attack, but Seedorf's effort was denied by Consigli.

Luís Mira, Goal.com