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AC Milan vs Atalanta: Serie A Preview
Separated by ten points in the Serie A standings, regional rivals AC Milan and Atalanta BC go head-to-head at San Siro on Sunday in a clash that could shape both teams’ European prospects.
by Berba
AC Milan returned to winning ways in emphatic style last weekend, dismantling Udinese 4-0 on the road. Goals from Rafael Leão, Theo Hernández, Strahinja Pavlović and the in-form Tijjani Reijnders helped Sergio Conceição’s side bounce back from a draw with Fiorentina and keep faint hopes of European qualification alive. However, with six games to play, the Rossoneri sit ninth in the table and are running out of time to close the gap on the top six.
For Milan, the Coppa Italia may now represent the clearest path to Europe, with a second-leg semi-final clash against Inter coming up next week following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Atalanta, meanwhile, have bounced back from a recent dip in form that saw them lose three straight games without scoring. A 2-0 win over Bologna last weekend — courtesy of a third-minute goal from Mateo Retegui — helped steady the ship. The Bergamaschi currently occupy third place and are pushing hard for a return to Champions League football, though they are being closely pursued by Juventus, Bologna, and both Rome clubs.
Head-to-Head History
This will be the second Serie A meeting of the season between the sides, with Atalanta edging the reverse fixture 2-1 in Bergamo thanks to a late goal from Ademola Lookman. Milan have lost three of their last four against La Dea and are at risk of being beaten in both league fixtures in a single season by Atalanta for the first time since 2007–08.
Despite their recent struggles, Milan remain dominant in this fixture at San Siro historically and have not trailed Atalanta by a double-digit point margin in the league ahead of a meeting since the early 2000s.
Key Stats
- Milan have managed just one clean sheet in their last nine home games — against Hellas Verona.
- Atalanta have collected the most away points in Serie A this season and had gone 12 league away games unbeaten (W9, D3) before losing 1-0 to Fiorentina last time out.
- Tijjani Reijnders has reached double figures for Serie A goals this season — all from open play — and has scored the final goal in eight of his nine scoring appearances.
- Mateo Retegui leads the Capocannoniere race and has scored 23 goals in the league, including the opening goal in three of his last four away appearances.
Team News
AC Milan:
- Doubts/Injuries: Kyle Walker, Emerson Royal (both out), Mike Maignan (head injury — expected to start), Santiago Gimenez (back from injury).
- Notable absentees: None confirmed.
- Expected changes: Maignan should return in goal, while Tammy Abraham and Luka Jović will compete for a spot up front. Alex Jimenez and Filippo Terracciano are options at right-back. Conceição may continue with the 3-4-3 formation used in Udine.
Atalanta:
- Out: Charles De Ketelaere (thigh), Sead Kolašinac (knee), Gianluca Scamacca, Giorgio Scalvini (long-term absentees).
- Doubts: None confirmed.
- Expected changes: Mateo Retegui will lead the line in their familiar 3-4-2-1 setup. The midfield and defence should remain largely unchanged, with no new injury concerns from the Bologna win.