AC Milan 1-1 Atalanta – Visitors deny Milan victory with equaliser from penalty spot in Serie A encounter

Rafael Leao scored a wonder strike as AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw with top-four rivals Atalanta at San Siro, as they dropped even further behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

The winger opened the scoring inside the first three minutes with a wonderful finish, skipping past two players as he drove into the Atalanta box before striking a devastating curled effort across Marco Carnesecchi’s goal and into the far corner.

The majority of the first half passed by without much action, until Atalanta had a penalty claim for a high boot from Olivier Giroud minutes before half-time. After a brief consultation with VAR, referee Daniele Orsato controversially pointed to the spot and the in-form Teun Koopmeiners slammed the spot kick past Mike Maignan for his 10th goal of the season.

Milan were slow out of the blocks in the second half, but gradually grew back into the game and squandered a hatful of chances to clinch a winner in the closing stages.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek skewed a first-time effort wide from 10 yards out before Christian Pulisic poked a shot wide from close range. With ten minutes remaining, Davide Zappacosta denied Olivier Giroud the winner when he headed his effort off the line.

Milan are now 13 points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter, while they remain in third place, seven points ahead of Atalanta in fifth place.

Milan’s chances at battling rivals Inter Milan for the title were already thin going into the game, but after another two points dropped and back-to-back winless games for Rossoneri, their chances are all but over.

They’re now 13 points behind the leaders, who also have a game in hand, but on a more positive note, are very well-placed for a Champions League finish. They currently sit third behind Juventus in second and are seven points clear of Atalanata in fifth.

However, Stefano Pioli’s side best rediscover their winning form sooner rather than later, or they may find themselves dragged into a top-four battle in the late stages of the season.

In a game that lacked real qualify, Leao provided the only sparkling moment when he gave Milan the dream start in the third minute. For all the excellence the Portugal international possesses, Leao has been slightly lacking in the goal department this season and has only found the net three times in 22 Serie A matches.

But he was back in the goals with a vengeance against Atalanta and looked like the only dangerous spark that could make the difference in a rather deflated Milan side.

Milan: Maignan 6, Florenzi 6, Thiaw 7, Gabbia 7, Hernandez 7, Adli 8, Bennacer 6, Pulisic 6, Loftus-Cheek 7, Leao 8, Giroud 6. Subs: Calabria 6, Musah 6, Okafor N/A

Atalanta: Carnesecchi 7, Scalvini 6, Djimsiti 6, Kolasinac 6, Holm 7, De Roon 6, Ederson 6, Ruggeri 6, Koopmeiners 7, Miranchuk 6, De Ketelaere 6. Subs: Toloi N/A, Hien 6, Zappacosta 6, Lookman 7, Scamacca 6

3’ – GOAL!! AC MILAN 1-0 ATALANTA (LEAO): What a start for Milan, and what a goal from Rafael Leao! The winger drives into the box from the left touchline and skips in between two defenders before curling the ball across the face of goal from an angle and into the far top corner!

40’ – ANOTHER BOOT TO THE FACE? This time, Holm hits the deck after a challenge with Giroud. It looks like Giroud’s boot was nowhere near him but he goes down anyway and Giroud is fuming at the Swede’s accusations. There WILL be a VAR check for a penalty, though!

41’ – PENALTY TO ATALANTA! Wow! It was a high boot from Giroud, but there was no contact made. Referee Marco Di Bello goes to the monitor and a brief look, points to the spot! This is a big chance for the visitors to get themselves back in the game.

42’ – GOAL!! AC MILAN 1-1 ATALANTA (KOOPMEINERS): The in-form Koopmeiners slams the ball down the middle from the spot and Atalanta are level!

68’ – LOFTUS-CHEEK MISJUDGES IT! What a chance for Milan! Adli picks out the midfielder with an inviting low delivery into the box but Loftus-Cheek completely skews his first-time effort from 10 yards out and sends the ball well wide.

70’ – PULISIC GOES CLOSE! Leao sends a brilliant chipped pass over the top of the defence and Pulisic brings the ball down excellently with a great touch, before poking across the face of goal as his effort trickles just wide of the far post. Two great chances in quick succession for Milan.

80’ – OFF THE LINE! Giroud’s hooks an effort beyond Carnesecchi but his shot is headed off the line by Zappacosta, denying his former Chelsea team-mate of what could have been the winner!