On Sunday 10 May, at 20:45, Milan will take the field against Atalanta at San Siro. We are now approaching the final stages of the Serie A season: the Rossoneri are still fighting for a Champions League spot, while the Bergamo-based club are seriously at risk of failing to finish in the top six.
It will be a clash between two teams clearly struggling, both eager for the season to end so they can begin planning for the future.
Milan have not won since the match against Verona: since that game, they have collected just one point in two matches, against Juventus and Sassuolo. However, after the match against Lazio on 15 March, the Rossoneri went into a steep decline: 7 points in 7 matches, relegation-zone form, with the spectre of failing to qualify for the Champions League looming.
Atalanta, too, are not enjoying a positive period, just as they have not for the entire season. With Juric’s departure and Palladino’s arrival, things initially seemed to have settled down, but in the last four league matches they have earned only two points. After years of consistency, Atalanta are now seriously at risk of not even qualifying for the Conference League.
The dangers of the match
After the penalty shoot-out defeat in the Coppa Italia, Palladino’s side seem to have thrown in the towel and mentally switched off. Despite this, however, the squad is more than capable and, if fully focused, could cause Allegri’s team some serious problems. The Bergamo side’s greatest strength is undoubtedly the collective: the players know each other well, the tactical mechanisms are now well established, and the playing system allows the team to maintain balance even when attacking with many players forward.
Milan will also have to pay close attention to the forwards: Raspadori and Krstovic are expected to start, supported by former Milan player De Ketelaere. Atalanta remain a very dangerous side on quick counter-attacks: the Rossoneri will need to be extremely careful in midfield, trying to limit turnovers and avoid giving space to the Bergamo side.
Finally, historically, Atalanta have been one of the toughest teams to face because of their intensity and aggression. Even this season, the visitors have shown great ability in winning the ball high up the pitch and launching rapid transitions.
Milan struggle greatly against teams that consistently press the player in possession: building from the back could become risky, especially if the Rossoneri fail to break through the initial press quickly.
What Milan must do to win
The most important thing in tomorrow’s match will be to take the field without anxiety or agitation: the objective is close, and for that reason the team must keep calm because everything is still to be decided.
In addition, a change in attitude is needed: against Sassuolo, Milan looked poor and drained, almost as if they lacked motivation. Allegri is ready to make a small revolution, with Gimenez and Pulisic starting in attack, while Ricci and Loftus-Cheek are expected in midfield alongside the usual Rabiot.
To take home the three points, Milan will need to move the ball quickly to bypass the press: without Luka Modric it will not be easy, but Ricci will finally have the chance to prove himself. It will also be important to rediscover the wide players: Bartesaghi and Saelemaekers, after a flying start, have become somewhat complacent and are no longer making the same impact. Finally, Gimenez hopes to score his first Serie A goal of the Serie A campaign, while Pulisic wants to end a drought that has lasted since December: in that regard, Milan will need to be clinical in front of goal. This was relayed via MilanPress.it.
