VICTORY IN THE FINAL HOME GAME OF THE SEASON
Serie A
The best possible way to bid farewell to San Siro this season and thank the million-plus Milanisti who have filled the stadium in 2021/22. AC Milan beat Atalanta today to move one step closer to the finish line. In an incredible atmosphere, the Rossoneri recorded a precious 2-0 victory, with Leão breaking the deadlock and Hernández returning to the scoresheet in style after four months without a goal. After a difficult first half, Pioli’s men gave another show of strength and unity in a showdown where they also had to dig in to get what they wanted. It was a fully deserved win, too.
The team put their heart and soul into it, managing the game well, showing patience and then also quality. It was a courageous performance where they also kept another clean sheet. The Diavolo now sit on 83 points after 37 matches in Serie A and continue to top the table. Looking ahead to next weekend, a draw away to Sassuolo will be enough to secure the title. If Cagliari stop Inter in their tracks this evening (a draw or Rossoblù victory), AC Milan will be the Champions of Italy tonight. It’s been another memorable day, but the Scudetto still needs to be won. Let’s keep looking ahead. Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v ATALANTA
REPORT
Pioli used the same system that he did against Verona with Krunić in an attacking midfield role. The tension was palpable and the opening stages were tight and nervy, with very little space to carve out chances. In the first half an hour, Saelemaekers and Zappacosta tried to get things going for their respective teams but to no avail. AC Milan grew into it and spurned a couple of half-chances on the break; Hernández's shot was blocked (17') and Krunić - then Tonali - failed to make the pressure tell (19') before Leão's underhit effort in the 21st minute. The number of errors climbed steadily and Atalanta worked their way into the game. In the 31st minute, Maignan was forced into an excellent diving save to keep out Muriel's strike from distance. In the 35th minute, Musso denied Saelemaekers before, three minutes later, Zappacosta fired off target. In the 42nd minute, Leão sent his shot over the bar. Giroud went down in the box just before the break, but referee Orsato waved away the appeals for a penalty.
Pioli switched things up for the second half, sending on Messias and Rebić. After Hernández struck the side-netting from a free-kick, Messias, in the 57th minute, provided the assist for the opening goal. His pass found Leão, who got away from the defender and stuck it through the goalkeeper's legs. The Rossoneri might have taken the lead but Atalanta remained dangerous as Zapata missed a couple of chances. First, in the 61st minute, he sent his shot off target and then, in the 71st minute, he fired wide from just a few yards out after a corner. The Rossoneri had weathered the storm and were now looking for their second goal, which they got in the 75th minute thanks to a wonderful bit of individual play from Hernández. Theo charged up the field, skipped away from a multitude of defenders and rifled it across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The stadium erupted and the Rossoneri were able to see the game out. Messias had a go late on but didn't test Musso and Zapata forced Maignan into a good stop. Full-time!
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-0 ATALANTA
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (79' Florenzi), Kalulu, Tomori, Hernández; Tonali (63' Bennacer), Kessie; Saelemaekers (54' Messias), Krunić (79' Bakayoko), Leão; Giroud (54' Rebić). Subs: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia, Romagnoli; Díaz; Ibrahimović. Coach: Pioli.
ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Musso; de Roon, Palomino (80' Demiral), Djimsiti; Hateboer (80' Scalvini), Koopmeiners, Freuler, Zappacosta; Pessina (70' Boga); Pašalić (55' Malinovskyi), Muriel (55' Zapata). Subs: Rossi, Sportiello; Mæhle; Miranchuk; Mihăilă. Coach: Gasperini.
Referee: Orsato from Schio.
Goals: 56' Leão (M), 75' Hernández (M).
Booked: 44' Giroud (M), 53' Koopmeiners (A), 67' Kessie (M), 87' Malinovskyi (A), 92' Bennacer (M).
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