The Milan back in Champions League: the victory was decisive for the Rossoneri 2-0 against theAtalanta. In Bergamo the two goals of Kessie, both on penalties (43 ‘and 48’ st) that lead Pioli’s team to second place in the league, bypassing the Goddess. For the guests there is also a post by Leao in the middle of the shoot: the party can start seven years after the last time.
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THE MATCH
Mission accomplished, the Milan is in Champions League seven years after the last time. He does so by storming the pitch of Atalanta with a lot of heart and pride, the leitmotive of the season of the Pioli team that has been able to exalt in the most difficult conditions. Sweaty victory and arrived thanks to two penalties converted by Kessie at the end of the first half and a few seconds after the triple whistle. The 19th and 20th penalty whistled in favor of the Rossoneri which is a record for Serie A.
Decisions by Mariani sacrosante. The first for Theo Hernandez’s knockdown by the Mahele-Romero couple after the Frenchman had closed a nice triangle with Saelemaekers. From the disk the monumental Frank Kessie who coldly put her in the corner with Gollini immobile. The second was due to a hand ball by Gosens on a shot by Calhanoglu and sent off by De Roon. Always give him the number 79 and final eleven meters. The Champions goals are from the “President”, so he is called inside from the locker room by his teammates.
A game of chess played at a relatively low pace and decided by a flicker. One of the usual plays of the left back, very good in the insertions in the area. Milan suffered little, they caged Atalanta a bit on their legs and brought home the most important result of the season. It was enough to order and a little malice on some occasions to cancel Zapata e Malinovskyi prima e Muriel poi. Just a danger for Gigio Donnarumma who can now decide his future with the Champions in his pocket. In the 58th minute the Colombian striker touched the post with a nice slow turn: moments of terror for the Rossoneri. Last 25 minutes a bit ‘in apnea for the formation of Pioli, but great sacrifice in defense of the 2-0.
The result of a year in which Milan first dreamed of the Scudetto and then fought Sunday after Sunday for the goal set at the beginning of the season. Thanks to Pioli who managed to give an identity to a group of young players, thanks to Ibrahimovic who despite a few too many injuries has always been decisive, on and off the pitch as he is always close to his teammates tonight.
On the other hand, Gasperini’s Atalanta who in four days saw the Italian Cup fade, second place and also the record for points in the championship. A final with a bittersweet aftertaste, but for the Goddess another season to be framed. It ends with the Nerazzurri’s disappointment and the Rossoneri’s party, second and in Champions League.
REPORT CARDS
Kessie 8 – For most of the season he was the extra man and on this occasion too he proved it by fighting for every ball like a lion. Performance topped off by two goals. Fundamental for Pioli, now the contract renewal game begins.
Pessina 5 – Quite undertone. In the first half he struggled to be seen and Gasperini decided to leave him in the locker room at the interval.
Leao 5,5 – He often walks around the field and struggles to dictate his movements. The next year will have to be more constant and decisive. He also misses the shot of 2-0 at 23 ‘of the second half with a lob that ends up on the post.
Kjaer 6,5 – Make a counter with Zapata and the number 91 does not pass. The Dane dictates the rhythms and Tomori (6) follows him: together they build a wall.
Malinovskyi 6 – Look for some play, but it’s not his best night. However, it stands out and is the only one who tries it from the Gasperini gang.
THE TABLE
ATALANTA-AC MILAN 0-2
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Gollini 6; Toloi 5.5 (41 ‘st Palomino sv), Romero 5.5, Djimsiti 6; Maehle 5.5 (34 ‘st Pasalic sv), De Roon 6, Freuler 5.5 (41’ st Miranchuk sv), Gosens 5.5; Pessina 5 (1 ‘st Murel 6,5), Malinovskyi 6; Zapata 6. Available: Sportiello, Rossi, Sutalo, Caldara, Ruggeri, Ilicic, Lammers. All .: Gasperini 6.
Milan (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma 6; Calabria 6, Kjaer 6.5, Tomori 6, Hernandez 6.5; Kessie 8, Bennacer 5.5 (16 ‘st Krunic); Saelemaekers 6.5 (34 ‘st Dalot sv), Diaz 6 (16’ st Meite 5.5), Calhanoglu 6; Leao 5.5 (34 ‘st Mandzukic sv). Available: Tatarusanu, A. Donnarumma, Romagnoli, Castillejo, Kalulu, Tonali, Hauge, Maldini. All .: Pioli 6,5.
Referee: Mariani
Markers: 43′ rig. e 48′ st rig. Kessie
Ammonites: Freuler, De Roon (A), Mandzukic (M)
Expelled: De Roon (A)
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THE STATISTICS
Milan will return to play the Champions League after seven seasons of absence (last time in 2013/14, when they were eliminated in the round of 16 against Atletico Madrid).
Milan have set a new all-time record for away wins in a Serie A season: 16 – no team in the five major European leagues has ever done better (16 also for Real Madrid 2011/12 and Manchester City 2017/18).
Franck Kessié is the first AC Milan player to score double figures from a penalty kick in a Serie A season since Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in 2011/12.
Franck Kessié is the first AC Milan player to score a double from a penalty in a Serie A match from Kaká in April 2009 against Palermo.
Milan have kept clean sheets for five straight Serie A games for the first time since March 2006.
Atalanta have not scored only in two of their last 21 Serie A matches: on both occasions against Milanese teams (the previous against Inter in March).
20 penalties in favor of Milan in this league: record in a Serie A season since Opta collects this data (since 2004/05).
Franck Kessié is, together with Matteo Politano, one of the two Serie A players to cross the finish line of the 50 games this season considering all competitions.
Simon Kjaer played his 300th game in the five major European leagues, 132 of them in Serie A.
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