In a thrilling encounter at San Siro, AC Milan faced off against Atalanta in a pivotal Matchday 33 clash of the 2024/2025 Serie A season on Sunday, April 20, 2025. With both teams vying for European qualification, the stakes couldn't have been higher.
The match kicked off at 2:45 PM ET (20:45 CEST), setting the stage for a fierce battle as the Rossoneri looked to close the gap on the final Champions League qualifying spot, while Atalanta aimed to solidify their own position in the top tier of European football.
AC Milan entered the match six points adrift of the coveted Champions League spot, making a win essential to keep their hopes alive. Atalanta, on the other hand, while not in the title race, was determined to secure their place in the Champions League, making every match critical as the season neared its conclusion.
The line-ups for the match were as follows:
AC Milan (3-4-3): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Jiménez, Fofana, Reijnders, Hernández; Pulisic, Jović, Leão.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Bellanova, Hien, Djimsiti; Cuadrado, De Roon, Éderson, Zappacosta; Pašalić, Lookman; Retegui.
The referee for the match was Piccinini from Forlì, and the atmosphere in the stadium was electric as fans filled the stands, hopeful for a positive result.
The first half was a tense affair, with both teams creating chances but failing to find the back of the net. AC Milan's Rafael Leão had a close attempt saved early on, while Atalanta's Mateo Retegui came close with a header that just missed the target. As the half progressed, both defenses held firm, and the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
As the second half commenced, the urgency increased. AC Milan knew they needed to capitalize on their home advantage, while Atalanta sought to break the deadlock and take control of the match. The match saw several substitutions as both coaches attempted to freshen up their squads in search of that elusive goal.
Finally, in the 72nd minute, Atalanta struck gold. Éderson scored a crucial header from the center of the box, putting Atalanta ahead 1-0. The goal came from a well-placed cross by Raoul Bellanova, who found Éderson unmarked in the penalty area. The visitors celebrated as the pressure mounted on AC Milan.
In response, AC Milan intensified their efforts to equalize, pushing forward with a series of attacks. Despite their best efforts, including a flurry of shots from João Félix and Tijjani Reijnders, they found themselves thwarted by Atalanta's resolute defense and some key saves from goalkeeper Carnesecchi.
As the match wore on, the tension in the stadium was palpable. The fourth official announced five minutes of added time, giving AC Milan one last chance to salvage a point. The Rossoneri launched a final assault, but Atalanta held firm, defending their lead with grit and determination.
Ultimately, the match concluded with a score of AC Milan 0, Atalanta 1. This victory was a significant boost for Atalanta as they continued their pursuit of a Champions League spot. Meanwhile, AC Milan faced a tough reality check, knowing they had missed a crucial opportunity to close the gap in the standings.
Post-match, Atalanta's coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his pride in his team's performance, stating, "We knew how important this match was, and the players delivered under pressure. Every game is vital now, and we need to keep this momentum going."
AC Milan's coach, Sergio Conceição, reflected on the match, saying, "We had our chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal. The fight for European qualification is far from over, and we must regroup and focus on our next match."
The defeat leaves AC Milan with a tough road ahead as they look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures. The race for European football in Serie A is heating up, with several teams in contention, and every point will be crucial in the coming weeks.
As the season approaches its climax, fans can expect more thrilling matches as clubs battle for their place in European competitions. For now, Atalanta can celebrate a hard-fought victory, while AC Milan must regroup and refocus if they hope to keep their European dreams alive.
Next up, AC Milan will need to prepare for their upcoming fixtures with renewed determination, while Atalanta will look to build on their momentum in the chase for Champions League football.
