AC MILAN vs. ATALANTA: MATCH PREVIEW

AC Milan returns home for the first time after the international break, looking to regain momentum after dropping points in Reggio Emilia and build on the win in Salzburg. AC Milan vs. Atalanta is coming up on Sunday, October 18th, at 6:00 pm CEST at San Siro on Matchday 7 of Serie A. It is an important, delicate fixture in an especially busy schedule. Here is the latest Match Preview:

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The Rossoneri are ready to get their league campaign back on track. Last weekend's draw with Sassuolo left a bitter taste, but the four-goal performance in Austria in the Europa League has restored energy and offered encouraging signs of progress as a team. Cisse took the spotlight, but the overall response from Coach Amorim's squad was equally convincing at a stage of the season when early trends are beginning to emerge. There is very little time to recover and prepare for the next match. Modrić and Gila are expected to return to the starting line-up, while Chukwueze is back in contention. No players are suspended or one booking away from a suspension.

"I'm very satisfied with the team and the way we're working. We can still do better. Salzburg is already in the past," Amorim said after the win in Salzburg. "The match against Atalanta is very important for us."

TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN vs. ATALANTA

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LATEST FROM ATALANTA
The orobici have collected nine points in the league so far and sit in the middle of the table. The 3-1 home win over Venezia helped Sarri's side bounce back after a difficult September, which included consecutive defeats to Juventus (0-2), Cagliari (0-1) and Roma (1-2). Atalanta is also coming off a European fixture, having beaten Pafos 3-1 in their first home match in the Conference League, thanks to an impressive first half. Elmas is suspended, while Raspadori and former player Kessie are unavailable, adding to an already lengthy absentee list. In Dea's 4-3-3 attacking formation, Krstović is one to watch after a strong run of form.

"It will be difficult against AC Milan at San Siro," Sarri said. "They have some important individual talents. It will be a tough match, and we hope to keep improving."

PRE-MATCH NUMBERS

• AC Milan has the highest conversion rate in Serie A (15%) and ranks third for shots on target as a percentage of total shots (49%), behind Sassuolo (57%) and Monza (53%). The Rossoneri also average 60.2% possession, trailing only behind Inter (62.4%) and Como (62.2%).
• AC Milan has an 89% pass completion rate, with Atalanta close behind at 88%. The two teams rank third and fifth, respectively, in this category.
• After assisting against Lazio and scoring against Lecce and Sassuolo, Adrien Rabiot could register a goal or assist in four consecutive matches for the first time in his career across Europe's top five leagues.
• Among players with at least five goals this season across Europe's top five leagues, only Lamine Yamal (9, born in 2007) beats Alphadjo Cisse in terms of age (5, born October 22nd, 2006).

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN vs. ATALANTA ON TV
In Italy, the match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Viewers in other countries can check the "Where to Watch AC Milan on TV" section under "Abroad" for broadcast information. Follow the coverage on the club's social media channels, acmilan.com and the AC Milan Official App.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Daniele Chiffi of the Padua section has been appointed referee, taking charge of his 132nd Serie A match. He has officiated 16 Serie A matches involving the Rossoneri, most recently Hellas Verona 0-1 AC Milan. Mondin and Yoshikawa will serve as assistant referees, Sozza as the fourth official and Camplone as VAR, with Prontera as AVAR.

Matchday 7 began on Friday with Frosinone 4-2 Sassuolo. Saturday's fixtures were Venezia 1-0 Napoli, Bologna 1-3 Inter and Roma 2-0 Genoa. Sunday's schedule features Udinese vs. Lecce at 12:30 pm (all times are CEST), Fiorentina vs. Como at 3:00 pm, AC Milan vs. Atalanta at 6:00 pm and Juventus vs. Lazio at 8:45 pm. Monday's fixtures are Monza vs. Cagliari at 6:30 pm and Parma vs. Torino at 8:45 pm.

The standings: Inter 19; Roma 17; Lazio* 16; Cagliari* and Frosinone 13; AC Milan* 12; Juventus* and Como* 11; Napoli 10; Atalanta* 9; Sassuolo 8; Torino* 7; Lecce* 6; Bologna 5; Udinese*, Monza*, Genoa, Parma* and Fiorentina* 4; Venezia 3.
^{(* = one game in hand)}

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