Milan-Atalanta is a Serie A Week 24 match played on Sunday at 20:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
In a twenty-fourth day of Serie A that has been split up due to close European commitments, the Sunday post-match at the San Siro takes centre stage. A fierce direct clash for one of the first four places that guarantee access to the next Champions League. Milan and Atalanta currently occupy fourth and sixth place respectively in a league table that remains crowded, separated by just three points.
Stefano Pioli’s Rossoneri, having definitively abandoned the dream of defending the Scudetto they won last year, recovered just in time, avoiding losing further positions and putting the other goal of the season into question. The tactical adjustments decided by the Emilia coach have had the desired effects and the Diavolo’s defence has gone from being one of the most perforated in Serie A to a real ‘bunker’ in a few weeks. Since the victory against Torino, the one that marked a turning point in the midst of the crisis, the Rossoneri have not conceded any more goals, keeping their goal unbeaten for three consecutive matches between the championship and the Champions League. At the same time, however, the offensive production was significantly reduced: the fourth most prolific attack of the tournament suddenly started to score with the dropper: against Torino, Tottenham and Monza came three ‘short snout’ victories, all 1-0.
Milan unbeaten in last four clashes with La Dea
Accordingly, Milan have a great chance. They have the opportunity to take a further three points away from one of the most accredited rivals for fourth place, Dea. Which in turn, after a sparkling start to 2023, has slowed down a little in the last three days.
Gasperini
The home defeat against Lecce seven days ago surprised everyone. And it matched the one Gasperini’s side had suffered against Sassuolo on 4 February. Atalanta therefore confirmed themselves as an inconstant team, capable of going on to win with authority in Rome against Lazio and then being surprised in front of their own public by Baroni’s Salentini. The Nerazzurri will go in search of precious points against an opponent they have never managed to beat in their last four matches. Last May it was the victory against the Dea, beaten 2-0 at the San Siro, that brought AC Milan closer to their 19th Scudetto.
Milan-Atalanta: the latest line-up news
Pioli in the press conference gave the news that all the Rossoneri fans were anxiously waiting for: Maignan will return as a starter against Atalanta. The absence of the Frenchman, who has been out for months due to a series of physical problems, has been a heavy one for the Diavolo. In front of him the coach will re-propose the three-man defence with Thiaw, Kalulu and Tomori, while on the left wing, orphaned by the injured Calabria, Messias – the man who decided the Monza match – should win over Saelemaekers. Nothing to do for Bennacer, still out of action.
Many doubts for Gasperini, who must do without the injured Pasalic, Zapata and Hateboer. In defence, it will be Djimsiti’s turn to replace the disqualified Demiral, while the most “fiery” ballots are in midfield, where Soppy is challenging Zappacosta and Boga could give way to ex-Salerno man Ederson on the three-quarter line.
The Prediction
Atalanta gave the impression with Lecce that they had lost a few certainties, but they remain a team that, when on the turn, can overpower anyone. Milan know this well and will try to play a shrewd game, limiting the offensive outbursts of Gasperini’s dangerous attackers to a minimum and attacking at the right moment. It will be a very balanced match: a draw with both teams scoring cannot be ruled out.
All Milan v Atalanta likely to be in the starting line-up
- MILAN (3-4-1-2): Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Thiaw; Messias, Tonali, Krunic, Hernandez; Brahim Diaz; Giroud, Leao.
- ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Musso; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Maehle, Koopmeiners, de Roon, Zappacosta; Ederson; Hojlund, Lookman.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
