3‑2 DEFEAT IN BERGAMO
Serie A
It's a tough one to take. The Rossoneri came from behind twice but conceded a winner to Atalanta in the 95th minute. After Giroud and Jović had twice pegged back the hosts (Lookman brace), La Dea had the last laugh, making it 3-2 through Muriel. The goal came just minutes after AC Milan had gone down to ten men after captain Calabria was shown a yellow card. Pride and effort weren't enough for the Rossoneri to come away from Bergamo with the win, as they fell further away from the two clubs leading the way in the table.
Today's performance blew hot and cold, against a good side who fought for every ball from minute one. Despite the difficulties, the finishes from Giroud and Jović and some great goalkeeping from Maignan kept the Rossoneri in the game. But it was to no avail as it slipped away in stoppage time, which they will need to forget as soon as possible as they head into their upcoming fixtures. And they're important too, but ideal as a method of moving on from this matchday 15 disappointment. Up next: the big one in the Champions League against Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday night. Forza ragazzi!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM ATALANTA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The game got off to a fast start: four minutes in and Giroud’s effort from inside the six-yard box was thwarted by Djimsiti's sliding block, and De Ketelaere shot high over from in front of Maignan. Following this whirlwind start, the intensity dropped. Two chances came one after another for Tomori and Giroud, on 27 minutes, but without the desired outcome. The home side finished the half stronger and broke the deadlock in the 38rd minute: Lookman’s attempt deflecting off Tomori to loop past Maignan, who had no chance. The Rossoneri’s response was a struggle, but eventually came with perseverance and pride. Theo dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box after 44 minutes, before a deserved equaliser was found in time added on: Florenzi’s corner was brilliantly met by Giroud, who headed home past Musso to make it 1-1.
The second half similarly started off lively, with both sides having chances: Giroud poked wide, while Maignan was alert to keep out Scalvini’s effort. On 55 minutes though, Atalanta retook the lead from Lookman’s close-range finish, following De Ketelaere's low cross in from the left. The advantage galvanised the hosts, who left very little space at the back and continued to search for a third goal. They went close on a couple of occasions: De Ketelaere in the 57th minute and de Roon in the 68th minute. Maignan kept us in it, saving brilliantly from Scalvini and Lookman on 76 minutes. But we didn’t give up and got back on level terms a second time in the 80th minute: Pulisic’s low cross flew past Calabria and found substitute Jović to slot home from inside the box. The closing stages were hectic, especially in injury-time. Calabria was sent off for a second bookable offence in the third minute of stoppage-time, before, two minutes later, Muriel got free in the area and beat Maignan to seal victory: it ended 3-2 for Atalanta.
MATCH DETAILS
ATALANTA 3-2 AC MILAN
ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Musso; de Roon, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Zappacosta, Pašalić (87' Adopo), Éderson, Ruggeri (90'+8 Holm); Koopmeiners; De Ketelaere (82' Muriel), Lookman (82' Mirančuk). A disp.: Carnesecchi, Rossi; Bonfanti, Del Lungo, Zortea; Colombo, Manzoni, Mendicino; Cissé. Coach: Gasperini.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Hernández, Florenzi; Loftus-Cheek (72' Jović), Reijnders (88' Adli), Musah; Chukwueze (59' Bennacer), Giroud, Pulisic. Subs: Mirante, Nava; Bartesaghi, Simić; Krunić, Pobega, Romero; Traorè. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: La Penna from Roma 1.
Goals: 38' and 55' Lookman (A), 45'+3 Giroud (M), 80' Jović (M), 90'+5 Muriel (A).
Booked: 71' Reijnders (M), 72' Éderson (A), 81' Calabria (M), 88' Jović (M), 90'+2 Bennacer (M).
Sent-off: 90'+3 Calabria (M) for a second booking.
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