ATALANTA v AC MILAN: OPPONENT REVIEW

The standings look good, but a real jump in quality is needed. An important step in AC Milan's Scudetto-hunting season is definitely in Bergamo, where the Rossoneri meet a wounded Atalanta, who need to bounce back after the loss suffered to Torino, on Saturday 9 December at 18:00 CET. The Dea are not in a good vein of form currently in the league, despite topping their Europa League group. In Serie A, in fact, the Nerazzurri are winless in four matches; they haven't gone five consecutive matches without victory in almost two years. The last time this happened was between January and February 2022, with three draws and two defeats. 

Even at the Gewiss Stadium, things are not certainly going to plan in the league: two losses in their last two home matches and only four goals scored in their last four after having scored as many as 13 in their previous four matches in the competition (an average of 3.3 goals per game). Overall, 2023 has been a year of highs and lows for the Nerazzurri, in which they have suffered 14 defeats in total: the last calendar year in which Atalanta suffered as many defeats as this was 2015, before Gian Piero Gasperini had even arrived at the Dea. 

AGGRESSIVENESS AND HIGH PRODUCTION FROM THE FLANKS: THE DEA ARE STRUGGLING, BUT THEY AREN'T CHANGING
Injuries and lack of continuity in the offensive department have forced Gasperini to revise something in his tactical line-up, identifying the midfield as Atalanta's strong point even when it comes to goals: the midfield has produced nine goals for Atalanta, a figure second only to Inter's 10 in the league. In addition to this prolific midfield, there is also an important battery of wide players, significantly involved in chance creation. Among other data, this is proven by Atalanta's cross success rate of 30.5%, the second highest in the league (Juventus top the charts with 32.3%), which also explains Atalanta's six headers scored this season: only Roma (seven) can boast more. 

It is interesting, however, to point out that AC Milan, together with Inter, are one of only two teams to have not yet conceded a goal in this fashion. Finally, it's important to note that despite the difficulties Atalanta have experienced in this current period, they are still the same Atalanta. They remain an aggressive team, good at suffocating and breaking up their opponent's game. Their three goals scored following a high turnover (only Inter and Napoli have more) highlight the importance of maintaining the utmost attention in the build-up phase against a team always able to cause mistakes. 

THE ATTACK DEPENDS ON LOOKMAN IN SCAMACCA'S ABSENCE. MANY CAPABLE OF HURTING IN THE MIDFIELD
Gianluca Scamacca, Atalanta's top scorer this season with five goals, will be missing from the match due to injury: in the four matches played this season without the forward, the Nerazzurri have only scored three goals compared to the 18 in the 10 matches with the Azzurro on the pitch. The onus will therefore be on Ademola Lookman to support the team's offensive department, having contributed to four of Atalanta's last six goals scored at the Gewiss Stadium in Serie A (three goals, one assist), including the Dea's last goal in front of their home support against Napoli. 

Behind him, is an extremely productive midfield, as mentioned above. First the former Rossonero Mario Pašalić (19 goals), who has scored three goals in four matches at the Gewiss Stadium against AC Milan. Together with Teun Koopmeiners (17 goals), they are the two most prolific players in this position currently playing in Serie A in the last three seasons, whilst Éderson is also in a very positive vein of form. The Brazilian has already contributed to five goals this season (four goals and one assist), as many as he managed in his first two years in Italy's top flight. 

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