Milan v Atalanta Live Commentary & Result, 26/2/23, Serie A

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	NAP Napoli	38	28	6	4	77	28	+49	90	W D W L W
2	LAZ Lazio	38	22	8	8	60	30	+30	74	W W W D L
3	INT Internazionale	38	23	3	12	71	42	+29	72	W W L W W
4	MIL Milan	38	20	10	8	64	43	+21	70	W W W L W
5	ATA Atalanta	38	19	7	12	66	48	+18	64	W L W L L
6	ROM Roma	38	18	9	11	50	38	+12	63	W L D D L
7	JUV Juventus	38	22	6	10	56	33	+23	62	W L L W W
8	FIO Fiorentina	38	15	11	12	53	43	+10	56	W W D W L
9	BOL Bologna	38	14	12	12	53	49	+4	54	W D W D D
10	TOR Torino	38	14	11	13	42	41	+1	53	L W D W D
11	MON Monza	38	14	10	14	48	52	-4	52	L L W W D
12	UDI Udinese	38	11	13	14	47	48	-1	46	L L L L W
13	SAS Sassuolo	38	12	9	17	47	61	-14	45	L D L L D
14	EMP Empoli	38	10	13	15	37	49	-12	43	L D W D W
15	SAL Salernitana	38	9	15	14	48	62	-14	42	L W D W L
16	LEC Lecce	38	8	12	18	33	46	-13	36	L W D D L
17	SPE Spezia	38	6	13	19	31	62	-31	31	L L D W L
18	VER Hellas Verona	38	7	10	21	31	59	-28	31	L D L L W
19	CRE Cremonese	38	5	12	21	36	69	-33	27	W L L L W
20	SAM Sampdoria	38	3	10	25	24	71	-47	19	L D L D L

That concludes our commentary of the Serie A fixture between Milan and Atalanta! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Milan and Atalanta both feature again on Saturday, when the Rossoneri travel to play Fiorentina and the Nerazzurri return home to host Udinese.

Milan leave it until late to secure the three points but ultimately secure their fourth clean sheet in-a-row in all competitions, beating Atalanta by two goals to nil. Musso’s unfortunate own goal after a Hernandez volley 20 minutes from the interval gave the hosts a lead, which despite Atalanta’s problems in attack, never quite felt secure. The visitors improved slightly in the second half but without a shot on target, Maignan’s return to the pitch was a straightforward affair. Pioli’s side wrapped up the victory with a late goal through Messias, who chipped the goalkeeper from close range to give the Rossoneri a second win in their last three meetings with the Nerazzurri. Milan go above Roma and into third with the result while Atalanta stay sixth.

90' + 5' FULL-TIME: MILAN 2-0 ATALANTA.

90' + 3' The fourth official indicates four minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

90' + 1' Boga looks to go low under the wall with his free-kick but the defence stand firm and clear it all the way down the pitch to Musso.

R. Krunić

Yellow Card

90' Krunic slides into a tackle and catches Boga from behind, earning the midfielder a yellow card which will see him miss Milan’s next match.

A. Saelemaekers

Junior Messias

89' Saelemaekers is also given a chance to stretch his legs, with Messias coming off with a goal to his name.

A. Rebić

Rafael Leão

88' Immediately after providing the assist, Leao is withdrawn by Pioli, with Rebic on in his place.

Rafael Leão

Assist

86' Leao may not have found the back of the net himself today but he's contributed in an impactful way, creating the assist for Messias' goal.

Junior Messias

Goal

86' THE HOSTS TAKE A TWO-GOAL LEAD! 2-0! Krunic plays a square pass to Leao inside the centre-circle, with the Portugal international immediately sweeping it forward for the run of Messias. The winger gets past the last defender and draws Musso off his line before chipping it over the goalkeeper and in!

L. Vorlický

T. Koopmeiners

84' Vorlicky replaces Koopmeiners in Atalanta's final change of the contest.

M. Ruggeri

D. Zappacosta

84' Ruggeri takes Zappacosta's spot with six minutes remaining.

J. Palomino

G. Scalvini

84' Palomino is sent on to add a bit of experience to the side. Scalvini is the one to make way.

83' Milan have picked up just one point in their last four matches against sides in the top six positions in the Serie A table at the start of that matchday (D1 L3), their last such win was against Inter (3-2 on September 3rd, 2022).

81' Boga plays a neat trick to get the ball through the legs of Krunic but Atalanta’s progress is temporarily halted with Kalulu beating Hojlund to the pass, putting it out for a throw-in.

79' Hernandez plays a dangerous one-two with Leao on the edge of the penalty area but the Milan captain’s first touch lets him down as the ball runs too far ahead of him and into the arms of Musso.

78' Ibrahimovic is first to the loose ball on the wing but he’s unable to turn and get past Scalvini, with the two battling players ending up on the pitch. Play is allowed to continue, with the visitors in possession with the referee playing the advantage.

76' Milan are furious as the referee impedes the run of De Ketelaere, allowing Atalanta to win possession back in midfield. The visitors turn defence into attack immediately but they’re unable to fashion anything meaningful with Hojlund unable to corral a pass from Toloi.

C. De Ketelaere

Brahim Díaz

74' De Ketelaere is also sent on by Pioli, who withdraws Diaz.

Z. Ibrahimović

O. Giroud

74' Ibrahimovic makes his long-awaited return to the pitch, replacing Giroud with just over 15 minutes remaining.

73' Muriel is tasked with taking the corner but it’s easily repelled by Messias, who gets there before Hojlund to put it out for a throw-in.

71' MILAN SHOULD HAVE SCORED! Hernandez takes on Zappacosta, initially losing possession before winning it back inside the penalty area. He squares a pass to Leao, who prods it to the far post for Messias. With the entire net to aim at from six yards out, the winger sends his shot high over the crossbar as the hosts continue to search for a second goal.

L. Muriel

A. Lookman

69' Muriel comes on for Lookman as Atalanta continue to search for a way back into the game.

67' Boga is tasked with taking the free-kick but it’s met by Messias’ diving header on the six-yard line, with Atalanta then forced to play it all the way back to Musso.

M. Thiaw

Yellow Card

65' Thiaw is shown a yellow card for sticking out a leg and catching Maehle, giving Atalanta a free-kick in a promising position on the left.

J. Boga

Éderson

63' Boga comes on for Ederson as Gasperini makes a first change for the visitors.

62' Tonali’s inswinging corner is comfortably met by Toloi, who powers a header away from his penalty area.

60' WHAT A STOP FROM MUSSO! Messias is allowed to drive up the right wing before cutting inside and playing a pass towards the 18-yard box for Diaz. The forward meets it with a backheel flick for Giroud, who waits for the goalkeeper to move before attempting a chip but Musso makes the stop while on the ground!

59' The referee blows his whistle while the ball is in the air following a Musso goal-kick, giving himself time to go over and show Gasperini a yellow card. The Atalanta coach is barking back at the match official, evidently unhappy with something as his side are forced to get the ball in play with a second attempt.

57' Diaz breaks free down the middle of the pitch and goes down under a challenge but not before finding Giroud. The striker has to turn to keep possession but he eventually loses the ball in his feet before it’s cleared away.

56' Leao – who scored in his last Serie A match at San Siro against Atalanta – has not been involved in any Milan goal in his last seven appearances in all competitions: the last time he played 8+ consecutive games with the Rossoneri without a goal or assist was in March 2021 (nine).

54' Messias wins a free-kick on the flank on the halfway line, scooping the ball up and over Maehle before going down under a challenge from the wing-back. It’s inventive play from the winger, who was otherwise out of options.

52' Koopmeiners goes straight for goal from the free-kick a long way out on the left wing but his effort fails to curl back towards the corner, going wide for a goal-kick.

50' Scalvini picks his head up just inside his own half and floats an aerial pass over the top of the defence for the run of Hojlund. The striker looks to get the better of Thiaw but Maignan is quick off his line to meet the ball at the edge of his penalty area.

48' Krunic takes a risk to keep possession in his own half, putting it through the legs of Scalvini and turning past Lookman before finding Messias, who is promptly fouled by Maehle.

46' Milan get the match restarted from the kick-off!

Atalanta will need a way to spark their attack into life in the second half, with Gasperini able to call upon a couple of important options from the bench. Muriel and Boga will likely have a part to play in the second half with Lookman and Hojlund failing to settle, while Soppy could provide fresh legs on the wing. Milan will no doubt be looking for a fourth clean sheet in a row, while potentially giving Ibrahimovic his long-awaited return to the pitch as well.

A tight and tactical first half at San Siro ends with the hosts ahead by a single goal, thanks to Musso’s deflection following a Hernandez volley after 25 minutes. With both sides matching each others’ shape to a certain extent, it has created a bit of a logjam in midfield. Hernandez and Messias have been the focal points of Milan’s forward progression, while Zappacosta and Maehle have been Atalanta’s only threats so far. The visitors haven’t managed a shot of any kind while maintaining just over 40 percent possession, giving Maignan a straightforward return between the posts.

45' + 2' HALF-TIME: MILAN 1-0 ATALANTA.

45' + 1' The fourth official indicates one minute will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.

45' Hojlund pokes an inventive pass with the outside of his foot through the lines for the run of Koopmeiners but unfortunately the Denmark international puts a bit too much on it - taking it over the byline for a goal-kick.

43' Leao’s fancy footwork under pressure wins him a free-kick on the left wing after he’s bowled over by Zappacosta.

41' Tonali sends an inswinging corner to the near post but it’s a poor effort that’s put directly onto the head of Ederson at the near post.

40' Maehle finds Hojlund inside the penalty area but the striker’s first touch lets him down as he allows the pass to roll to the feet of Maignan.

39' Only Cremonese (seven) and Empoli (six) have conceded more goals following a corner than Atalanta and Milan (five each) in Serie A this season; on the other hand, only Torino (0), Monza and Sampdoria (one each) have scored fewer goals from this situation than the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri (two each).

37' LEAO SENDS IT OVER! Milan work passing triangles to perfection in midfield, releasing as many as three runners with Diaz in possession charging towards the penalty area. The number 10 unselfishly plays it to his left for Leao, whose first-time effort sails disappointingly high over the crossbar despite time and space to hit the target!

36' Diaz chips a pass into the path of Giroud but Koopmeiners comes across with perfect timing to dispossess the forward inside his own penalty area.

34' The hosts turn defence into attack, with Tonali’s clearance on his own 18-yard line sparking a chance for Leao. The forward gets on the end of the loose ball and drives towards goal, dropping his shoulder to get past Scalvini before firing a shot into the side-netting.

32' Toloi finds himself in an advanced position on the right wing but his cross is dealt with comfortably by Maignan, who makes a simple catch.

30' Milan are certainly buoyed today by the return of Maignan, who has not featured for the Rossoneri in 162 days - since their loss to Napoli on September 18. Tatarusanu has not been a poor replacement - notching three clean sheets in his last three games - but the France international goalkeeper was a pivotal part of Pioli’s side’s title win last year.

Rafael Leão

Yellow Card

28' Leao pleads his case that Toloi should be shown a red card for his handball to break up play and stop a Milan attack, but he has a bit too much to say as he's also shown a yellow card.

R. Tolói

Yellow Card

27' Toloi goes into a sliding challenge on Leao, handling the ball in the process. It appears to have been a cynical attempt to break up a counter-attack, with the referee producing a yellow card for the infringement.

J. Musso

Own Goal

25' A SLICE OF FORTUNE GIVES MILAN THE LEAD! 1-0! Kalulu hits a switch of play from deep on the right wing to the left edge of the penalty area, where Giroud nods it down for Hernandez. The captain is set on his intentions as he steps up and smashes a volley that hits off the post and the backside of Musso before going in! It’s credited as an own goal for Musso, who will be disappointed with his bad luck.

23' Koopmeiners' latest delivery from a corner is met by Thiaw, who is not put under pressure as he rises to clear it away.

21' Leao, Hernandez and Tonali work a triangle in midfield with the midfielder looking to release the France international but he overhits his pass and sends it to the feet of Musso.

20' De Roon gives the ball away in midfield with Krunic immediately pushing it forward for Leao. The forward lays it off for Diaz but he’s unable to hit a shot as the Atalanta defence converge to close down the space.

18' Atalanta are doing well getting back into their shape, preventing Milan from attacking on the counter. Giroud is constantly watched by two centre-backs during the Rossoneri build-up, leaving them without an outlet and forcing a slower progression up the field; which Gasperini’s side take advantage of well.

16' A Toloi foul on Hernandez in front of the technical area on the left wing gives Milan a free-kick but Tonali’s delivery to Krunic is poor, allowing the aforementioned centre-back to head it away promptly.

14' A poor series of touches on the wing by Messias allows Maehle to get onto the ball and charge towards goal but the eventual shot is a weak effort that’s easily dealt with by Maignan, who continues to shake off the rust.

13' Messias winds up for a shot from 25 yards out on his stronger left foot but a well-timed sliding challenge from Ederson pokes the ball away from the winger and back to his goalkeeper.

11' Tomori reads the play brilliantly to come across and intercept Zappacosta’s pass into the penalty area for Lookman, helping out Tonali by smashing it out of play for a throw-in without hesitation.

9' Koopmeiners’ inswinging corner-kick finds Hojlund at the near post but his flick-on is dealt with first by Tonali and then cleared by Leao.

7' GIROUD SENDS IT WIDE! Leao curls a beautiful cross into the penalty area for Giroud, who does well to keep in line with the last defender. On the swivel, the France international looks to put his half-volley into the top corner but he directs it the wrong side of the post!

5' Tonali and Giroud stand over the free-kick but it’s the former who takes it, sending his shot directly over the crossbar.

4' Hernandez has his legs clipped by Toloi on the edge of the penalty area, with Milan given a free-kick in a promising position 20 yards from goal.

2' An early chance for Milan as Leao launches a cross into the penalty area from a position on the right, with Giroud opting for the audacious volleyed attempt across his body. The France international sends his effort wayward but it’s a good start for the hosts.

1' Atalanta get the match underway from the kick-off!

Atalanta make two alterations to the line-up that lost 2-1 seven days ago, with Scalvini in for the suspended Merih Demiral at centre-back and De Roon replacing Boga in midfield.

Milan make two changes to the XI that beat Monza 1-0 last weekend, with a swap at either end of the pitch. In goal, Maignan returns after a lengthy injury spell to replace Tatarusanu, while Giroud is given the nod ahead of Origi at striker.

ATALANTA SUBS: Jose Luis Palomino, Francesco Rossi, Marco Sportiello, Luis Muriel, Matteo Ruggeri, Caleb Okoli, Lukas Vorlicky, Jeremie Boga, Brandon Soppy, Endri Muhameti, Mannah Chiwisa.

ATALANTA XI (3-4-1-2): Juan Musso; Giorgio Scalvini, Berat Djimsiti, Rafael Toloi; Joakim Maehle, Ederson, Marten De Roon, Davide Zappacosta; Teun Koopmeiners; Rasmus Hojlund, Ademola Lookman.

MILAN SUBS: Tiemoue Bakayoko, Matteo Gabbia, Fode Ballo-Toure, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Antonio Mirante, Yacine Adli, Ciprian Tatarusanu, Tommaso Pobega, Simon Kjaer, Ante Rebic, Aster Vrancx, Divock Origi, Charles De Ketelaere.

MILAN XI (4-3-2-1): Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori; Junior Messias, Rade Krunic, Sandro Tonali, Theo Hernandez; Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud.

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!

Atalanta have lost two of their last three matches, beating fellow Champions League contenders Lazio in their only win in the month of February. Despite the poor spell, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are still within touching distance of the top-four places - with a win today putting them level with Roma and Milan on 44 points.

Back-to-back 1-0 wins for Milan have allowed Stefano Pioli’s side to retain their Champions League place, with a number of teams all vying for the three spots behind Napoli. Three points back of Inter in second and level with Roma, a win today would see the Rossoneri go six points clear of Atalanta in sixth.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Serie A fixture between Milan and Atalanta!

Milan v Atalanta Live Commentary, 27/2/23

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