If the resounding victory against Udinese coincided with the long-awaited “turning point,” we will find out in the match against Atalanta. Milan, who returned to winning ways in Friuli after a three-game drought with a resounding and convincing 4-0 victory that allowed the Rossoneri to remain in contention for seventh place, cannot afford to slip up if they want to keep alive their now faint hopes of playing in European competition next year, not necessarily the Champions League, which seems out of reach at the moment, considering they are eight points behind fourth-placed Juventus.
It will be crucial not to slip up against Dea, especially as Milan have another crucial game coming up on Wednesday, when they face their city rivals Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg (the first leg ended 1-1), and a poor result would not be ideal going into that game.
Two tough tests in a few days, therefore, for Rossoneri coach Sergio Conceiçao, who experimented with a new tactical formation in Udine—a switch to three at the back—which seems to have paid off. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta also need confirmation after their revival a week ago in the head-to-head clash with Bologna, who they beat 2-0 at the Gewiss Stadium (La Dea had not won at home in the league since December). This result ended a run of three consecutive defeats that had effectively knocked them out of the title race. However, they still have third place to defend, as the competition behind them is fierce, with Juventus closing in and Champions League qualification no longer as certain as it seemed a few months ago.
Milan-Atalanta: the latest news on the lineups
Maignan suffered a head injury in Udine and could miss the match against Dea: second goalkeeper Sportiello is preparing to replace him. Walker could join Gimenez, Loftus-Cheek, and Emerson Royal on the sidelines, but he will try to recover in time. Conceiçao is considering returning to a 3-4-3 formation with Pulisic and Leao flanking either Jovic or Abraham. Jimenez and Hernandez will start on the wings.
Kolasinac’s season is over at Atalanta, as he is forced to undergo surgery. In addition to him, Scalvini, Scamacca, Posch, and De Ketelaere are also out with injuries. Cuadrado and Bellanova will battle it out on the right wing.
Odds comparison
A goal is priced at 1.48 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.50 on Snai. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 1.63 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.60 on Snai.
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Prediction
Important points are up for grabs for both teams, even though they are far apart in the standings (Atalanta has 10 points more). As for previous encounters, Milan has not beaten Atalanta in five matches, including the Coppa Italia, with the Rossoneri’s last victory dating back to two years ago. Since then, there has been no ‘No Goal’ result, as both the Diavolo and La Dea have never failed to score in their subsequent encounters. The chances of this happening again are high, considering that in the last eight league games involving Milan, there have always been ‘Over 2.5’ goals and plenty of excitement.
Probable line-ups for Milan-Atalanta
MILAN (3-4-3): Sportiello; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Fofana, Reijnders, Hernandez; Pulisic, Jovic, Leao.
ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Hien, Djimsiti; Cuadrado, de Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Lookman; Retegui.