Tonight could mark a turning point for either AC Milan or Atalanta. It is the kind of match that could change the course of an entire season.

The Rossoneri and La Dea head into their showdown at San Siro on the back of European victories on Thursday, but both are under pressure to step up the pace after collecting fewer points than expected in Serie A so far.

A draw would do little good for either side. Both teams urgently need to make a statement with a convincing performance, and perhaps their marquee summer signings, Gonçalo Ramos and Jonathan Rowe, can finally deliver.

Ruben Amorim and Maurizio Sarri are placing considerable faith in their respective signings. They expect goals and, more importantly, points on the board. Although Serie A has only reached its seventh matchday, neither Milan nor Atalanta can afford to lose any more ground. And the two most expensive signings in their clubs' histories need to start making a difference.

Ramos Yet to Live Up to Expectations

The former PSG striker is the goalscorer Gerry Cardinale is counting on to fire Milan back towards the top of Italian football and, at the very least, secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

So far, however, Gonçalo Ramos has been disappointing. His only Serie A goal came against Venezia, which also remains his sole goal at San Siro.

He has worked tirelessly, often covering more ground than any of his teammates, but he has struggled to make an impact in front of goal.

Part of the problem lies in the service he has received. Too often, teammates have looked to find him with crosses from deeper positions rather than through the quick, intricate combinations in tight spaces that suit his game.

As a result, Ramos failed to register a single shot on target against Juventus, Lazio or Lecce.

He came close to scoring in Reggio Emilia before finally finding the net after coming off the bench against Salzburg on Thursday.

That goal, his first in European competition for Milan, combined with the three he scored for Portugal during the international break, could provide the confidence boost he needs to become one of Milan's key players this autumn.

It would also give him the opportunity to prove that the €70 million plus bonuses Milan paid to the Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain was money well spent.

Amorim, who pushed strongly for his signing, and Cardinale, who secured the Portuguese striker before the transfer window even opened to beat the competition, have no doubts about their investment.

Both firmly believe Gonçalo Ramos will become a decisive figure for the Rossoneri.

Atalanta Still Believe in Jonathan Rowe

Atalanta are equally convinced by the deal they struck with Bologna to bring Jonathan Rowe to Bergamo.

The club needed attacking wingers capable of fitting into the system preferred by former Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri, and the Englishman emerged as their chosen target after Everton failed to reach an agreement with Bologna owner Joey Saputo.

Atalanta eventually prised Rowe away from Bologna in a deal worth €40 million, structured as a €5 million loan fee, a €30 million obligation to buy and a further €5 million in bonuses.

So far, however, Rowe has struggled to adapt to Sarri's style of football.

More precisely, he has yet to show the same attacking effectiveness that made him such a threat last season, when he finished with eight goals and five assists across Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia.

After three appearances for Atalanta, he has yet to register a goal or an assist.

Nobody at the club's Zingonia training headquarters has lost faith in him, but everyone is waiting for a statement performance from their number 11.

And what better stage than San Siro?

Rowe could also find himself facing former teammate Adrien Rabiot, with whom he was involved in a furious dressing-room confrontation at Marseille in August 2025.

AC Milan vs Atalanta: changes and Key Players Returning

Both Ramos and Rowe were deliberately rested during Thursday's European fixtures.

The Portuguese striker played just half an hour, while the English winger spent the entire 90 minutes on the bench.

The message was clear: Amorim and Sarri wanted both players fresh and ready for today's showdown.

Both coaches understand the physical demands of Thursday night European football and used squad rotation three days ago to give several players a breather.

For Milan, those rested included Chukwueze, Moreira, Musah and Pulisic. Atalanta, meanwhile, rotated Rowe, Bellanova and Krstovic.

However, seven injuries and Elmas's suspension mean Sarri will have considerably less flexibility than Amorim when selecting his starting eleven.

The Atalanta coach is planning five changes if he opts to start Krstovic ahead of Scamacca. Otherwise, there will be four:

- Bellanova replacing Zappacosta.
- Ederson coming in for Gaetano.
- Rowe taking Elmas's place.
- Former Milan player Charles De Ketelaere replacing the injured Raspadori.

Sarri is nevertheless expected to stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation, which has delivered two victories since the international break.

In both matches, Atalanta broke the deadlock in the opening minutes before going on to dominate proceedings, writes Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.

Amorim Planning at Least Six Changes

Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, is expected to make at least six changes to his Milan starting lineup:

- Gila replacing Tomori.
- Moreira or Estupiñán replacing Bartesaghi.
- Musah coming in for Loftus-Cheek.
- Modrić replacing Jashari.
- Chukwueze taking Hutchinson's place.
- Gonçalo Ramos replacing Camarda.

That number could rise to seven if Christian Pulisic is brought back into the side to give Cissé a rest following the youngster's hat-trick in Austria.

Amorim is unlikely to make any major tactical adjustments, however.

Milan are expected to retain their back four and a midfield setup featuring two central midfielders tasked with providing defensive cover for Luka Modrić.

A Match Neither Side Can Afford to Lose

The Serie A season is still in its early stages, but Milan against Atalanta already feels like a potentially defining encounter.

For both teams, this could be the night that changes everything.

Failure is not an option.