Atalanta 2-1 AC Milan: Lookman’s late winner condemns Rossoneri to damning defeat | OneFootball

AC Milan’s chances of a top four finish were dealt a big blow on Friday night as they were beaten 2-1 by Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium.

The first goal of the game went to Charles De Ketelaere as he headed in a delivery from a free-kick, though Milan drew level when Alvaro Morata scored from a Rafael Leao cross.

When it looked like a draw was on the cards, Ademola Lookman popped up at the far post to tap in a header from a cross and continue Atalanta’s brilliant run.

The result means that Milan have now gone 12 points behind their Lombardy neighbours, and the Scudetto dream is definitely gone before the end of 2024.

Rather unsprurisingly, Paulo Fonseca made eight changes from the team that beat Sassuolo in the cup in midweek, bringing back in the likes of Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, Matteo Gabbia, Christian Pulisic and Alvaro Morata.

Milan could have taken the lead after just 13 seconds when a ball in behind the Atalanta defence was met by the diagonal run of Christian Pulisic. In a very similar way to Davide Calabria’s opener in 2022-23 his run went unchecked, but he fired straight at the goalkeeper Carnesecchi.

The home side took the lead with the next chance of the game and it came through a rather predictable source: Charles De Ketelare. A free-kick taken from the left wing by De Roon was met by the head of the Belgian, who headed in at the back post with Maignan well beaten.

In the 22nd minute, Milan drew themselves back on level terms with what was a wonderful goal. Theo Hernandez threaded the ball through to Leao down the left side and he played a brilliant ball across the six-yard box that was hammered home first time by Morata.

The home side could have got back in front in minute 24 when Maignan made a smart stop to stop Bellanova’s right-footed shot from close range.

There was a concerning sign for Milan in the 38th minute as Pulisic pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury, and Fonseca brought on Ruben Loftus-Cheek to replace him.

The second half descended into a real tactical battle in which it seemed as though Atalanta were happy to let Milan have the ball and try to bait them with the press, hoping to catch them off guard in transition.

In the 75th minute, the Rossoneri had an opportunity to get themselves in front when the substitute Loftus-Cheek did well to get to the right byline and cut a ball back to Musah, who fired wide from inside the box.

A second substitution came for Milan in the 78th minute when Morata came off and was replaced by Tammy Abraham.

Just as it looked like the game was filtering out towards a draw, Atalanta stole it at the death. A corner in the 87th minute was flicked on by Kolasinac and buried by Ademola Lookman at the far post.

Maignan made a great save in the second of five minutes added at the end of the 90 minutes to deny Mateo Retegui after he had been put through on goal, but the hosts would claim all three points.