1 day ago
33
AC Milan were held to a second draw in a row on Tuesday night, but the Atalanta game leaves a very different taste to the one against Pisa.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report this morning, Atalanta have made draws their constant companions this season. It was the seventh in nine games last night and their fifth consecutive in Serie A. They’re still left with the feeling of something unfinished.
Milan, on the other hand, have had to accept a tie for the third time in their last four matches, and their results reveal disappointment (the missed penalty against Juve), relief (the 93rd-minute equaliser against Pisa) and now other doubts, the perception of halted momentum.
It may not be a bad point in the scheme of the season, but the idea of Milan being title favourites or even contenders is fading fast. Napoli are moving away and Roma can do the same tonight, before they go to San Siro on Sunday.
Blunt attack
In the end, Milan only managed one shot on target: the one that led to the goal. Just like against Pisa, the early lead left them managing their energy reserves, with the difference this time being that a change of attitude against Atalanta was much more dangerous.
Ricci’s goal forced the Rossoneri to drop too deep. Allegri had his team play in a 5-3-2 that should create density, but it had some flaws such as on the right flank, because Leao didn’t offer much help, whereas when Pulisic was playing, he often dropped into midfield to form a 5-4-1.
Leao also paid the price for this indolence, in addition to disappearing from the game (and suffering from slight fatigue). He was replaced at half-time by Christopher Nkunku. Santiago Gimenez made every mistake possible and was also removed due to a minor injury, but his fate was already sealed.
The mistakes
The problem for Milan, besides keeping themselves far away from the opposition goal, is that they make too many mistakes coming out of the box. Almost no one was spared, even Luka Modric who gave the ball away in a very uncharacteristic way before the equalising goal.
Atalanta rely on aggression through pressing high up the field, aiming to play vertically, opening up to the forwards who can seek one-on-ones (Lookman) or exchanges at close quarters (De Ketelaere). In recent games, Juric’s team had shown a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
Certain shortcomings are still evident now, with missed chances for Ahanor and Lookman among others, but the latter scored a deserved equaliser in the 35th minute. Atalanta slowed down in the second half, the match was more balanced, but they finished stronger and had more chances.
Ricci’s goal was his first for Milan, and he didn’t care if it was deflected off Ederson. All of Bergamo was waiting for Lookman’s first goal, having gone without one since May 12th and having endured a turbulent summer of betrayals and reconciliations.
Tactical moves
With Fikayo Tomori’s return, Milan reverted to their traditional defensive trio. The Englishman was partly at fault for the goal conceded: lacking synchronisation with his team-mates, he stepped forward to try get to the ball, but Pasalic beat him with his assist.
Behind him, Gabbia was unable to close it down in time, while Saelemaekers attempted to do the same on the other side. It was a collective defensive failure that led to the first away goal conceded in 2025-26.
At the other end, Pavlovic was tasked with limiting De Ketelaere. Modric was tracked and restrained by Pasalic, while when Milan defended, Ricci closed in on the Croatian, who ultimately emerged victorious.
The premature and forced substitution of Brescianini for the injured De Roon after just 20 minutes gave Atalanta’s 3-4-1-2 formation more energy. When Juric brought Musah into midfield at the end, it seemed like a truce, but his team-mates tried again.
They haven’t won in the league since September 21st, they are the only undefeated team in Serie A but they are in the middle of the pack, the area Milan do not want to find themselves in.
English (US) ·