ATALANTA v AC MILAN: TIME MACHINE

Bergamo has, of late, often been the site of big achievements for the Rossoneri. After matchday one, AC Milan have an immediate massive task ahead in the second round of Serie A fixtures as they travel down the road to Bergamo to take on Atalanta. To get you in the mood, we have compiled this edition of our Time Machine in which we will take a look back at a few important previous meetings:

1 APRIL 1989: RIJKAARD LEADS THE TURNAROUND
The game was going badly until Rijkaard took it by the scruff of its neck. An early Nicolini goal for the Nerazzurri ahead but Sacchi's side bit back with an almost immediate equaliser through Evani, before Frank - in his first season with the Club - scored the winner. It ended in a 2-1 win and the Rossoneri took that form into their Champions League semi-final tie with Real Madrid a few days later, which would lead to an unforgettable final.

6 OCTOBER 1991: ALBERTINI SHOW
It was Demetrio Albertini's afternoon. On a day in which the Rossoneri won 2-0, van Basten scored a penalty, Gullit had a goal disallowed and Rossi saved a penalty, the young Italian stole the show with a stunning goal. It was a vicious effort from a tight angle, which deceived goalkeeper Ferron. From there, Capello's men went on a long run of good form, culminating in Scudetto number twelve for the Club.

20 OCTOBER 2002: FOUR GOALS AND FIRST TIMES
Both sides were missing players but there was certainly no lack of spectacle. In the photo, you can see the key figures in a 4-1 thrashing of La Dea during a big year for Ancelotti's AC Milan. It was a big final score but there was some doubt throughout the game given that a tight first half ended 2-1 to the Rossoneri: Rivaldo and Tomasson both getting their first goals for the Club, with Sala on target for the Nerazzurri. AC Milan dominated after the break and added two more, both through Pirlo and both from dead-ball situations - one an unstoppable penalty and the other a stunning free-kick. 

30 MAY 2015: INZAGHI'S LAST GAME AT THE HELM AND NEW FACES
It was a bittersweet evening as a brace from Bonaventura and Pazzini's goal (3-1) were overshadowed by a disappointing seventh-place finish and Filippo Inzaghi's departure as head coach. At least there was a positive at the end as a young Calabria came on to make his Serie A debut. Davide has developed and improved immeasurably since then and has become a real leader in the current AC Milan first team, even being named captain this season.

23 MAGGIO 2021. BACK IN THE BIG TIME
Twelve huge yards. One week before the game in Bergamo, the Rossoneri had been held to a dismal 0-0 draw with Cagliari, meaning that victory over Atalanta was an absolute necessity in order to ensure Champions League qualification without having to rely on results elsewhere. Kessie it was who won the day, scoring a brace of penalties either side of halftime as the Rossoneri got back to Europe's premier club competition for the first time in seven years. The 2-0 win saw the Diavolo overtake Atalanta for a second-place finish.

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