Soccer Italy Serie A 27 February 2023

AC Milan vs Atalanta - Match Preview

While retaining the Serie A (SA) title seems all but impossible from this point for AC Milan, they are starting to build momentum again after overcoming a winless run at the start of the year that stretched seven competitive matches (D2, L5). They have now won each of their last three competitive games, with each accompanied by the same 1-0 scoreline.

They also secured a shutout in their last home H2H with fellow Champions League-chasing Atalanta (W 2-0), and now manager Stefano Pioli could become the first Milan boss since Fabio Capello in 1993/94 to win two consecutive league home games against the Bergamaschi. However, a haul of just one point from their last four matches against sides in the top six at the start of this round hints that securing that feat won’t be easy.

Atalanta will arrive at San Siro hoping that Milan’s underachievement continues, especially given their own dip in form. They started this round in sixth place, three points behind their hosts, after an embarrassing loss at home to Lecce. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini assessed the difficulty of the task ahead of him when stating during the week that Milan are “more difficult to play against” than Lecce!

Despite this, Gasperini’s side does have a proud record against the division’s best sides on the road which could play a part in helping them revitalise their season here. Atalanta is undefeated in any SA away game against a side starting the round inside the top 12 (W5, D2), with their most recent being a 2-0 win away to Lazio who separate Atalanta and Milan in the SA table.

📋 Key battle: Milan’s Rafael Leão scored in the last H2H win here and boasts more successfully completed dribbles (38) than any other SA player ahead of this game week. Keep an eye on Rasmus Højlund especially as the game progresses, as six of his seven goals for Atalanta have come in the second half.

⚡ Hot stat: Only two sides have conceded more goals following a corner than Milan and Atalanta (five each).