AC Milan come from behind to defeat Atalanta. A brace from Piatek and Calhanoglu’s first Serie A goal put the Rossoneri just one point behind Inter.
A test of maturity and character which showed that Milan is not just a candidate for a spot in the top 4 but actually one of the favorites. A brace from Krzysztof Piatek and Calhanoglu’s goal from outside the box secure three precious points for the Rossoneri.
The away success against Atalanta is great for the standings and the morale of the group. Coach Gennaro Gattuso can be satisfied, because his Milan has become cynical and compact but also because the Rossoneri players know how to best interpret the match, having now found a balance and an ideal formation that will hardly be distorted even in the coming weeks.
As usual, La Gazzetta dello Sport has published the ratings for all the players naming Krzysztof Piatek as the man of the math. The new Milan star, author of two winning pearls, gets a well deserving 8. 7 for the other goalscorer Hakan Calhanoglu, who finds the back of the net for the first time in Serie A this season but also provides an assist for Piatek. Same ratings for Davide Calabria, an extraordinary performance for the young fullback who lives a great moment of form and also manages to stop the highly dangerous Zapata.
Another positive performance also from Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian holds the ball well in midfield, a point of reference for his teammates. 6,5 also for his department colleagues, Bakayoko and Kessie. A bit underwhelming the display of Suso (6) who needs to finds his best form quickly. 5,5 instead for Gigio Donnarumma, “punished” for his lack of responsiveness on the goal of Freuler. A break from time to time could allow the Milan goalkeeper to be more lucid.
MATCH SUMMARY
ATALANTA 1-3 AC MILAN
ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Berisha; Toloi, Djimsiti, Palomino; Hateboer (65′ Gosens), De Roon, Freuler, Castagne; Ilicic, Gomez (59′ Kulusevski); Zapata (78′ Barrow). Subs.: Rossi, Gollini, Mancini, Ibanez, Masiello, Reca, Pasalic, Pessina. Coach: Gasperini.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): G. Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Bakayoko, Paquetá (87′ Laxalt); Suso (77′ Castillejo), Piatek (68′ Cutrone), Calhanoglu. Subs.: A. Donnarumma, Plizzari, Abate, Conti, Bertolacci, Biglia, Mauri, Montolivo, Borini. Coach: Gattuso.
Referee: Fabrizio Pasqua from Tivoli.
Goals: 33′ Freuler (A), 46′ Piatek (M), 55′ Calhanoglu (M), 61′ Piatek (M).
Booked: 18′ De Roon (A), 27′ Suso (M), 88′ Rodriguez (M)
