AC Milan 0–1 Atalanta Player Ratings: Atalanta Complete League Double Over Woeful Milan in Serie A
Atalanta took a huge step towards Champions League qualification with a hard-fought 1-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro. In a game that promised so much with the talented attackers on each side, the first half was a dreary and dull affair. Both teams saw their defenses stand tall as each of the sides had enough possession in the other’s half.
The first 10 minutes of the half saw Milan patiently probe along as they sought to open a way to bypass the Atalanta press. Theo Hernandez was a willing runner down the left-hand side, but he did not get enough joy this time despite trying gamely throughout.
It was also a half to forget for Leão, who found proceedings very hard on him. Hernández tried to find him quite a few times, but each move fizzled out either due to an interception or a poor touch by the latter.
After the first 10 minutes, Atalanta almost had a monopoly on the ball for the rest of the half. They even had a spell of around 6 to 7 minutes that saw them camped in the Milan half, but the dominance on the ball did not exactly translate to meaningful opportunities created.
Atalanta eventually had the game’s first shot, but Ederson’s header had neither power nor direction. The visitors created another chance shortly after that, saw Retegui create some space for himself, but he scuffed his shot wide off the mark.
Milan were being starved off the ball, but they did not buckle under the pressure, showing their composure and awareness. And they were almost Leão burst through, but Bella Nova cleared at the last minute as the flag was raised for offside.
The game continued to amble along with neither side giving an inch to the other. There were also a couple of fouls committed by either side to break any momentum or flow in the play. Leão had a shot after some good work between him and Theo, but his shot took a deflection and fell into the arms of the keeper rather harmlessly. It was the only shot on target in the half.
Milan created two chances towards the end of the half as they rose to life a bit. First, Gimenez’s cross was just inches away from Jovic. And then came the biggest chance of the half that saw Jovic do everything right except the finish. That was it for the half as both sides had a combined 1 effort on target, giving both goalies a rare period of respite.
The second half saw Milan begin as the better side that caught the visitors unaware. Fofana shot wide, Leao saw his cross agonisingly miss Pulisic by inches as the hosts sought to take control of the contest. And just when it seemed like Milan were establishing a foothold in the contest, Atalanta took the lead. A beautiful Lookman cross took the entire Milan defense by surprise. It found Bellanova, who smartly cushioned it for Ederson, who made no mistake from 5 yards out.
That goal knocked the stuffing out of Milan as Atalanta held on to their lead for the rest of the game with ease and saw them complete a league double over their much-fancied opponents for only the third time in their history. Here are the AC Milan vs Atalanta player ratings.
AC Milan Player Ratings
GK- Mike Maignan- 5.5/10
The Frenchman barely had a sniff off the ball, let alone make a save in the first half. He was helpless to stop Atalanta’s opening goal.
RCB- Fikayo Tomori- 6/10
He was constantly there to block and stop Lookman from inflicting damage on his flank. Only kept improving as the game went on, even though he could not do much about the goal his side conceded.
CB- Matteo Gabbia- 6/10
Was Milan’s most accomplished defender of the night. Had 5 clearances, 1 block, and 3 interceptions. A good night’s work
LCB- Strahinja Pavlović- 5/10
Should have done much better to track Bellnova’s run for the opening goal. He was alright in his defensive actions thereafter.
RWB- Álex Jiménez- 5.5/10
Delivered a couple of good crosses in the first half. Faded badly in the second. Was subbed late in the second half.
RCM- Youssouf Fofana- 6/10
Was a robust defensive presence in the middle in the first half. Got more assertive in attack as he used those long levers to good effect. Almost created a good chance and then saw his long-range shot blocked.
LCM- Tijjani Reijnders- 6/10
The influential Dutchman had one of his quieter 45s in the first half. Grew more involved in the second half as he saw his shots blocked and tried to create more for his teammates.
LWB- Theo Hernández- 6/10
The wingback was the most involved player for his side. He kept running up and down his flank, constantly trying to conjure something for his side.
RW- Christian Pulišić- 5/10
A very quiet game for the American as he could not impose himself on the game. Did not get himself involved much as the game passed him by.
ST- Luka Jović- 5.5/10
Had the best chance of the first half but scuffed it horribly.
LW- Rafael Leão- 5.5/10
One of those days for the Portuguese when nothing worked for him in the first half. He was more assertive and had more running than he did in the second half.
Sub- Riccardo Sottil-5/10
Was there as his side chased an equaliser. Did not do much.
Sub- Joao Felix- 5/10
Had a couple of good moments as he tried to make things happen. Hesitated on a good chance towards the end.
Sub- Tammy Abraham- 5/10
He was brought on to use his physicality and aerial prowess. Could use neither
Sub- Samuel Chukwueze- N/A
Very late sub. Did not make much of an impact.
Sub- Santi Gimenez- N/A
Very late sub. Did not make much of an impact.
Manager- Sergio Conceicao- 4/10
The season goes from bad to worse as Conceicao continues to struggle to fit his attackers on the side. Did not have any tangible tactic to beat the visitors and it showed.
Atalanta Player Ratings
GK- Marco Carnesecchi- 6/10
Did not have much to do either, bar a couple of tetchy situations. Swept well on occasion.
RCB- Davide Zappacosta- 6/10
The veteran was a source of reliability and stability as he used all his experience to thwart the Milan attack. Also had a couple of good crosses delivered. Was subbed on the hour mark.
CB- Isak Hien- 6/10
An accomplished performance in the heart of defense. Was constantly in the way to prevent Reijnders and Leao from inflicting damage
LCB- Berat Djimsiti- 6/10
He was strong in his duels and also had a couple of good blocks as Milan put in the crosses. Subbed at the hour.
RWB- Raoul Bellanova- 6.5/10
He was a good presence defensively, the highlight being a last-gasp tackle on a rampaging Leao. Got the assist for the opening goal with a smartly directed glancing header in the box.
RCM- Marten de Roon- 6/10
The skipper was calm and composed in midfield as usual. Complemented Ederson well and was neat in his passing.
LCM- Éderson- 7/10
Had a headed effort that went waywardly wide in the first half. Did not repeat that mistake as his bullet header found the back of the net with ease.
LWB- Juan Cuadrado- 6/10
The veteran had a decent game for his standards as he focused on making safer passes more often than not. He was booked for a reckless challenge after which he was subbed.
RF- Mario Pasalic- 5.5/10
Shielded the ball well as he tried to hold up the play for his side. Could not generate much in terms of tangible output. Subbed late in the second half.
ST- Mario Retegui- 5/10
The Italian had an off night as he forgot his shooting boots at home. Should have made the game safe in the second half, but somehow contrived to poke the ball wide from 5 yards out.
LF- Ademola Lookman- 6.5/10
Was Atalanta’s liveliest attacker with his movement and trickery. His devilish cross into the box was the catalyst for the opening goal.
Sub- Rafael Toloi- 5/10
Brought on for defensive cover. Did his job
Sub- Matteo Ruggeri- 5/10
Brought on for defensive cover. Did his job
Sub- Odilon Kossounou- 5/10
Brought on for defensive cover. Did his job
Sub- Charles de Ketelaere- N/A
Very late sub. Did not make much of an impact.
Sub- Ibrahim Sulemana- N/A
Very late sub. Did not make much of an impact.
Manager- Gian Piero Gasperini- 7/10
Only the third double over Milan in a season, and Gasperini the man once again. Got his game plan right to the T as his side takes a huge step to securing Champions League football next season.
Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Ederson.
What was the scoreline in Milan vs Atalanta?
The scoreline was 1-0 to Atalanta in Milan vs Atalanta
Who scored the goals in AC Milan vs Atalanta?
Ederson scored the only goal in AC Milan vs Atalanta
Who was the best player in AC Milan vs Atalanta?
Ederson was the best player in AC Milan vs Atalanta
Who was the worst player in AC Milan vs Atalanta?
Luka Jovic was the worst player in AC Milan vs Atalanta
