AC Milan repel late Atalanta rally to keep pace with Napoli

AC Milan secured all three points against rivals Atalanta in a 3-2 victory to keep pace with Napoli at the top of Serie A.

The gap between these local rivals has been closing over the years, with Atalanta winning plaudits for their attacking style of football that produces results, helping them to within a point behind Milan last season.

But the Bergamo club made a poor start to the game, conceding after only 28 seconds. Theo Hernandez picked out fellow wingback Davide Calabria with a perfectly weighted through ball. Once in on goal Calabria’s first shot was saved, but he made sure of the follow up and slotted it home.

The hosts responded well with Duvan Zapata at the centre of their attacks, and could well have been level if it wasn’t for Mike Maignan who showed his quality at dealing with one-on-one situations.

Just before halftime Remo Freuler dithered on the ball and was caught out by Sandro Tonali who picked his pocket to run on goal and fire Milan into a comfortable two-goal lead.

The second half saw Atalanta attempt to take control of the game, but Milan’s organised defence made sure that space was hard to find to ensure that the hosts' attacking threat was nullified.

As the game wore on the usually free-scoring Atalanta seemed to run out of ideas and energy as the visitors showed their experience to control the game, grabbing a late third goal through Rafael Leao who thumped the ball past Juan Musso, after Hernandez carried the ball the length of the pitch.

But Atalanta grabbed two consolation goals. The first through Zapata after substitute Junior Messias was deemed to have blocked the ball with his hand inside the box. The second deep in extra time as substitute Mario Pasalic took his time to hook the ball over Maignan from close range.

Next up for La Dea is an away trip to take on Empoli, while Milan host Verona at the San Siro.

It must feel like an age since the Rossoneri faithful felt like they were on the cusp of greatness and with this crop of players they must believe the good times are just around the corner. With one of Serie A’s youngest starting XIs, they play with composure and confidence well beyond their years. At times they made what is normally a tricky fixture against Atalanta look like a walk in the park.

The captain set the tone for the game, bagging a goal within 28 seconds of the first whistle. When he wasn’t making key tackles at the back, he was seen time and again in the final third of the pitch looking to contribute to attacks. At just 24 years old he could be leading this side for years to come.

Atalanta: Musso 6, Palomino 6, Demiral 6, Djimsiti 6, Zappacosta 6, De Roon 6, Freuler 6, Maehle 6, Pessina 6, Malinovsky 6, Zapata 6

AC Milan: Maignan 7, Calabria 9, Tomori 8, Kjaer 7, Hernandez 8, Tonali 8, Kessie 8, Saelemaekers 7, Diaz 7, Leao 7, Rebic 6

1’ - GOAL! Inside 30 seconds and Milan are ahead! Calabria is slipped in on goal, his first shot is saved, but he makes no mistake with his second and slots the ball home. What a start to this game!!!

43’ - GOAL! 2-0 to Milan. Tonali chases down Freuler to win the ball. Once he's one on one with Musso he makes no mistake as he slots the ball home

78’ - GOAL! Milan break forward and it's Leao who thumps the ball past Musso to make it 3-0. Massive credit goes to Hernandez who was at the centre of that attack driving the ball forward.

83' PENALTY GIVEN - Messias has been booked for blocking the ball with his arm. Can the hosts pull one back?

86' - GOAL! 3-1! - Zapata grabs a goal for Atalanta. Could there be late drama in this game?

90'+2 - GOAL! 3-2! - There's been another goal. Pasalic takes his time inside the box and hooks the ball over the 'keeper. Late drama