AC MILAN v ATALANTA: MATCH PREVIEW

"Our fate is still in our hands." That's how Coach Allegri opened his press conference discussing the third-to-last match of the season, a crucial showdown that could have a major influence on the fight for a Champions League spot. AC Milan will face Atalanta on matchday 36. The game will be an opportunity to turn things around after recent disappointing results. For this, they'll have an extra boost as the Rossoneri will be wearing their mothers' names on the back of their shirts to celebrate Mother's Day. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 CEST. Here's our Match Preview. 

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
It's been a difficult time over the last few weeks in terms of results and overall performance. The squad have only recorded four points from the last five games and have only scored one goal, Rabiot's against Verona. To try and bounce back, Allegri may make several changes to the starting XI compared to the defeat against Sassuolo, especially in attack, where everyone is available, and Santiago Gimenez may have the opportunity to start. There may also be changes in other areas of the pitch, with the only absentees being Modrić through injury and Tomori suspended after a red card in Reggio Emilia. There are also several players at risk of suspension: Athekame, Estupiñan, Fofana, Leão, Saelemaekers, and Modrić.

The coach said in his press conference: "It's a decisive game because we only have three matches to go. At this point in the season, our mentality matters more than ever; we have to play with courage. I'm not worried. Things can change drastically in 90 minutes. If we get positive results in our last three games, we'll reach our objective, and we'll have done well."

ALLEGRI: "MENTALITY MATTERS NOW"

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LATEST FROM ATALANTA
Atalanta are going through a difficult spell, having only picked up two points from their last four games, effectively ending their hopes of Champions League qualification. They're currently in seventh place and need to defend it (they hold a four-point advantage over Lazio), as it could be what they need for Conference League qualification depending on the outcome of the Coppa Italia. After lining up with two strikers in the 0-0 draw with Genoa at San Siro, Atalanta are expected to be back to their usual 3-4-2-1. De Ketelaere and Raspadori would sit behind just one attacker, either Scamacca or Krstović. It's still a very attacking approach, especially if Zalewski keeps his place on the wing, while Kolašinac and Pašalić could also return to the starting XI. No players are suspended, but De Ketelaere, Djimsiti, Hien, and Palladino are all at risk of suspension. 

Palladino said on the eve of the match, "AC Milan are an exceptional side with a great coach, someone who knows how to push the squad through challenging spells. We need to approach this game with full intensity and aim to secure seventh place. We must give it our all on the pitch." 

PRE-MATCH STATS

• This will be the 130th league clash between the two sides: the Rossoneri have recorded 55 wins, 46 draws, and 28 defeats. Atalanta have not managed to beat the Rossoneri in their last five encounters. The most common scoreline, from these showdowns, which has happened 20 times, has been 1-1, including the result in the first leg. 
• Atalanta and AC Milan are also the sides in this Serie A season to have conceded the fewest goals in the second half (15 each). Atalanta top the league for direct attacks this season (70), but the Rossoneri have been more clinical, scoring more goals from them (5 from 60). 
• The game will also be Rafael Leão's 250th appearance in Europe's top five leagues. The Portuguese forward is the youngest player since 2018/19 to reach at least 70 goals and 45 assists. He currently has 72 goals and 46 assists. Samuele Ricci scored his first official goal for AC Milan on 28 October against Atalanta, and Pietro Terracciano made his Serie A debut against the side from Bergamo back in April 2012 while representing Catania. 

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN v ATALANTA
In Italy, the match will be broadcast live on DAZN. To watch it from abroad, you can check the "Where to Watch AC Milan on TV" section under "Abroad". On the Rossoneri's official channels, coverage begins with Matchday on Milan TV, going live at 20:00 CEST right up until kick-off. Afterwards, there will be post-match interviews and Coach Allegri's press conference. Don't miss the full coverage on acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App, the club's official social media channels, and WhatsApp.

TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN v ATALANTA

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LATEST FROM SERIE A
The fixture at San Siro will be officiated by Luca Zufferli, the young referee from the Udinese section, taking charge of his 40th Serie A game. He has already officiated us three times in the league, including twice this season (AC Milan 2-2 Pisa and AC Milan 1-0 Lecce). Dei Giudici and Rossi C. will be his assistants, Fourneau will be the fourth official, and Di Paolo will be in charge of VAR with Mariani as his assistant. 

Matchday 36 of Serie A kicked off on Friday 8 May with Torino 2-1 Sassuolo. Saturday 9 May featured Cagliari 0-2 Udinese, Lazio 0-3 Inter, and Lecce 0-1 Juventus. As well as AC Milan v Atalanta at 20:45 CEST, Sunday 10 will see Hellas Verona v Como at 12:30 CEST, Fiorentina v Genoa and Cremonese v Pisa at 15:00 CEST, Parma v Roma at 18:00 CEST. The matchday will come to an end on Monday 11 at 20:45 CEST with Napoli v Bologna.

Here are the standings: Inter* 85; Napoli 70; Juventus* 68; AC Milan 67; Roma 64; Como 62; Atalanta 55; Lazio* 51; Udinese* 50; Bologna and Sassuolo* 49; Torino* 44; Parma 42; Genoa 40; Cagliari* and Fiorentina 37; Lecce* 32; Cremonese 28; Hellas Verona 20; Pisa 18. ^{(*A game in hand)}

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