AC Milan endured a tense ending to secure a 3-2 victory over Atalanta in Serie A, having let a three-goal lead slip away. Adrien Rabiot was instrumental, finding the net once and playing a part in another goal as the Rossoneri controlled the game for an hour before facing fierce pressure.
Both sides came into the fixture following European wins on Thursday. Milan had defeated RB Salzburg 4-0, while Atalanta earned a 3-1 victory over Pafos in the Conference League. However, the visitors were contending with multiple injury issues, which deteriorated when Sead Kolasinac was forced off during the first half.
Despite Milan’s dominance and three goals, Atalanta produced a determined comeback that almost earned a point. Mike Maignan’s late save proved vital as the hosts clung on for the win.
Milan seize control through Rabiot strike and Ramos penalty
Milan began brightly, with Rabiot shooting over from a good position before Christian Pulisic had a goal disallowed for offside in the 13th minute. Goncalo Ramos had headed on Samuel Chukwueze’s low cross, but Pulisic could not celebrate.
Atalanta hit back through Nikola Krstovic, who latched onto a pass from Jonathan Rowe and rounded Maignan. However, the striker found himself at too tight an angle and could only find the side netting.
The visitors suffered another blow when Kolasinac had to leave the field injured. Youth-team player Relja Obric came on, but his involvement quickly proved costly when he handled a Yunus Musah shot inside the penalty area. VAR spotted the offence, and Ramos converted the resulting spot kick, sending Marco Carnesecchi the wrong way.
Milan doubled their lead through Rabiot, who received Diego Moreira’s precise pass, cut inside, and drove the ball through Obric’s legs into the bottom corner. The goal continued the French midfielder’s impressive form, marking his fourth goal involvement across four consecutive Serie A appearances.
The Rossoneri had another chance to extend their advantage when Rabiot’s powerful volley struck Thomas Kristensen’s hand, resulting in a second penalty. This time, Carnesecchi guessed correctly and saved Ramos’ effort, but Milan scored from the following corner. Rabiot flicked the ball towards the far post, where Mario Gila headed home from close range for his first Serie A goal since 2024.
Atalanta’s fightback transforms Milan’s win into a thriller
Atalanta finally started to threaten after the hour mark, with Krstovic striking the base of the post from the edge of the area following Gianluca Gaetano’s assist. The warning was quickly followed by a goal as Gaetano collected a lay-off from Krstovic and calmly placed his finish beyond Maignan from a narrow angle.
The visitors gained further momentum when Raoul Bellanova broke down the right flank and delivered a low cross for Krstovic, who swept the ball into the net. Suddenly, Milan’s comfortable three-goal cushion had been reduced to a single goal, and the closing stages became increasingly tense.
Atalanta nearly completed the comeback when Davide Zappacosta found himself one-on-one with Maignan. The Milan goalkeeper rushed off his line and used his legs to block the attempt at the near post, preventing the visitors from drawing level.
Carnesecchi then denied an effort from Ardon Jashari, while Zappacosta fired another shot straight at Maignan. Ramos also had a stoppage-time counterattack thwarted as Milan fought to protect their advantage.
After controlling much of the contest, the Rossoneri had to withstand a late onslaught to secure the 3-2 victory. Rabiot’s influential display had helped establish their lead, but the team’s loss of concentration turned what appeared to be a comfortable afternoon into a nervy finish.