The victory against Atalanta was convincing up to a point because, while Milan played well, dominated and scored three goals in the first hour, in the final half-hour of the match the Rossoneri seriously risked ruining everything and allowing the Bergamo side to come back. At the end, Atalanta had a great chance to make it 3-3 through Zappacosta, but Mike Maignan made a decisive intervention, saving the Rossoneri from a draw that would have been devastating and really difficult to digest, as relayed via Milan News.
The 'blame' for Milan’s decline was certainly due to fatigue (both physical and mental), but also to the fact that those who came on in the second half did not deliver what everyone expected. Among them was also Pervis Estupiñán, who came on in the 75th minute: the Ecuadorian full-back’s introduction was a nightmare, as he practically got everything he could possibly get wrong. As a result, there was no shortage of jeers from the Rossoneri fans present at San Siro, who have had him in their sights for some time now and continue to wonder why Milan did not let him leave during the summer transfer window.
Amorim defends Estupiñán
In July, his transfer to West Ham seemed to be a done deal, but Ruben Amorim asked the Rossoneri directors to wait before selling him, as he first wanted to assess him during pre-season training camp. Despite unconvincing performances in friendly matches too, the South American player was ultimately kept in the squad by the Portuguese coach.
Amorim himself confirmed it after the match against Atalanta, effectively revealing some behind-the-scenes transfer market details:
“Even at other clubs, it happens that sometimes fans are not too fond of certain players. We have to help Estupiñán, we have to help the fans understand who Estupiñán is, and I can assure you that Estupiñán works really hard. He is a player who has played in the Premier League, and I can guarantee you that, towards the end of the transfer window, we had a list of clubs that wanted him. But I said no. So I want the fans to know that it was my responsibility: he is playing because I am the one choosing Estupiñán, because I believe in him and I am convinced that he will be really important for our team.
“However, I understood that feeling from the very first match. We simply have to help Estupiñán, because we are a team: if one of our team-mates suffers because of this, the whole team suffers with him and stands by his side.”
