AC Milan 2-0 Atalanta: Serie A champions continue revival with fourth straight victory to climb into third

An own goal and a dinked effort from Junior Messias earned AC Milan a 2-0 win over Atalanta to draw level on points with second place Inter Milan in Serie A.

Theo Hernandez’s first-half wonder strike troubled Juan Musso as the ball ricocheted off the goalkeeper’s back and into the net.

Milan squandered a handful of chances in the second half, but eventually put the game to bed when Messias lifted the ball over Musso with minutes left on the clock to secure all three points.

Milan threatened throughout the first half and almost went ahead early on when Rafael Leao produced a pinpoint cross for Olivier Giroud who guided the ball inches off target.

Hernandez’s thunderous first-half volley from outside the Atalanta penalty area caused problems for goalkeeper Musso, as the ball crashed off the post before striking his back and trickling over the line to put Milan ahead.

Giroud broke through the Atalanta defence but was denied one on one by Musso in the second half, before the goalkeeper kept out Leao’s effort, palming away the winger’s dangerous strike.

Milan had two great chances to double their lead in the second half but wasted both.

Sandro Tonali squared the ball across the six-yard box to Leao after a clever Milan move but Joakim Maehle recovered well to put Leao off with the goal gaping, who fell to the ground without making contact with the ball.

Minutes later, Davide Zappacosta made a defensive mess and, instead of seeing an overrun ball behind for a goal kick, was caught out by a resilient Hernandez who stole the ball from him. Hernandez found Leao, who set up Messias, but the wing-back blazed his shot over the bar from close range.

Messias made up for his earlier miss when he put Milan two goals ahead, delicately lifting the ball over Musso with a dinked finish three minutes from time.

The win lifts Milan to third, level on points with Inter Milan in second, while Atalanta remain in sixth, two points off the Champions League places.

Talking point – Milan stamp authority on top-four chase

AC Milan took full advantage of Inter’s slip-up earlier on Saturday afternoon, who lost 1-0 on the road to Bologna, and have caught up with their rivals matching their 47 points tally after 24 games played each.

It is extremely unlikely either side will catch up with Napoli, who have raced 18 points clear at the summit of Serie A, but it’s important to secure a Champions League spot in a tight race for the elite European spots.

Milan were also boosted by the returns of goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic after long-term injuries, ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with Tottenham next week.

Player of the match – Junior Messias (AC Milan)

Messias was determined to play a part in Milan’s win tonight, and he certainly did that when he doubled their lead in the closing stages with a beautiful chipped finish.

He had missed a good chance earlier on which he should have finished much better, but he kept his head up, dug deep, and kept his cool when it really mattered to put the game to bed.

Match ratings

AC Milan: Maignan 6, Kalulu 8, Tomori 7, Thiaw 7, Messias 8, Krunic 7, Tonali 7, Hernandez 8, Diaz 8, Leao 7, Giroud 6

Subs: De Ketelaere 6, Ibrahimovic 6, Rebic N/A, Saelemaekers N/A

Atalanta: Musso 6, Toloi 7, Djimsiti 6, Scalvini 6, Maehle 6, Koopmeiners 6, de Roon 7, Zappacosta 6, Ederson 7, Lookman 5, Hojlund 5

Subs: Palomino N/A, Ruggeri N/A, Boga 7, Muriel 6, Vorlicky N/A

Match highlights

8’ – WHAT A CHANCE FOR MILAN! Leao produces a beautiful fizzed cross to Giroud who does well to turn and latch on to the ball first time, but sends his effort flying (just) wide of the mark. That would have been a sensational goal.

25’ – GOAL! AC MILAN 1-0 ATALANTA (MUSSO O.G.) – Giroud uses his head intelligently to tee up Hernandez 20 yards from goal, who produces a spectacular volley that rattles the frame of the goal before rebounding off Musso’s back and into the net.

70’ – AC MILAN PENALTY SHOUT! Tonali squares the ball across the six-yard box to Leao who has the goal gaping, but Maehle comes across him and puts him off as Leao falls to the ground without making contact with the ball. Nothing is given.

72’ – ANOTHER CHANCE FOR MILAN! Zappacosta makes a mess and instead of seeing a ball behind for a goal kick, gets caught out by a resilient Hernandez who nicks the ball from him and finds Leao, who sets up Messias but the wing-back blazes over from close-range. A great chance to go two goals to the good missed!

86’ – GOAL! AC MILAN 2-0 ATALANTA (MESSIAS) – Messias breaks through the Atalanta defence, and this time manages to find the net with a delicately dinked finish over the onrushing Musso. He deserves his goal!

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