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AC Milan vs Atalanta – Serie A Match Preview, Kick-Off Time & Match Prediction

Match Day 19 encounter, with AC Milan taking on Atalanta on Saturday the 23rd of January, 2021, at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

AC Milan visited Cagliari last weekend, Zlatan Ibrahimović was in the starting lineup, did well from the penalty spot in the 7th minute to give his team the lead, scored again in the 52nd minute, and that 0-2 was the final score, three more points for the Serie A leaders. Their current form reads; WWWLW. They are on 43 points from 18 matches, three points ahead of second-placed Inter Milan. They have 13W, 4D and 1L, with that “L” coming three match days ago, at home, to Juventus. Goals, 39 scored, 19 conceded. Coach Stefano Pioli played a 4-2-3-1 formation against Cagliari, with Ibrahimović up front. The 39-year-old Swede is now on 12 goals from just eight(!) Serie A appearances (he was injured for quite some time and missed many games). He had 10 goals from 18 Serie A matches last season, so he has already done two better than in 2019-20, having played 10 games less(!).

Atalanta visited Udinese midweek, three days after disappointing in that goalless draw at home versus Genoa. Less than 60 seconds into the game in Udine they went 1-0 down(!). They did equalize just before halftime, but… nothing more than that. Final score, 1-1, two more points dropped, against a team less strong than them. Their current form reads; DDWWW. They are on 33 points from 18 matches, 6th in the table. They have 9W, 6D and 3L, having earned just two points from their last two games, against teams from the bottom-6 of the table. Goals, 41 scored, 23 conceded. Only Inter have scored more goals than them this season, which makes their “one goal in the last two matches” record even harder to believe. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini played a 3-4-2-1 formation against Udinese, with Muriel up front. It was exactly the Colombian who scored Atalanta’s only goal on Wednesday, his 11th of the season in Serie A, from 16 appearances.

Atalanta earned four points from their games against Milan last season, they beat them 5-0(!) in Bergamo, and drew 1-1 as guests.

A 2-1 victory for the hosts is predicted at full-time.

Date: Saturday, 23rd of January, 2021.

Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Kick off: 6PM (GMT+1)
 
Billy Costacurta, interviewed by Corriere della Sera , spoke about AC Milan. Here are the statements:

“I know from experience what it means to play a derby and a little something, albeit unconsciously, the two teams will sacrifice for the match on Tuesday night.”

“The league matters more. But the derby gives you and takes you away at the same time time. I remember those in 2003, in the Champions League semi-finals: they influenced the previous month of work. They were the worst days of my long football life. Yet I was already 37 years old, I was structured and I didn’t have to deal with anxiety from performance.”

On Milan being winter champions:

“Milan lost against Atalanta, who played a crazy match. But the Rossoneri will be able to react. I hear that they will not fight to the end for the Scudetto but I don’t think so. The race is open for the two Milanese, Juventus and a fourth team that I don’t tell you simply because I haven’t identified it yet. It’s not easy. The balance changes constantly.”

What are Milan’s qualities?

“I like the tactical organisation and the enthusiasm the team puts into their plays. It is a dynamic and beautiful team. The best from March onwards.”

“There is the merit of a wonderful job between Paolo, Massara and Pioli. Three serious and polite people who know how to play football and if necessary even raise their voices but without making you notice it.”

On Maldini:

“I believe that such personalities are essential for football and for a club. Totti and De Rossi, for example, would have a lot to give to Roma.”
 
#ACMilan had 13 different scorers in the first half of the season (Serie A):

🇮🇹 Calabria
🇫🇷 Kalulu
🇮🇹 Romagnoli
🇫🇷 Hernandez
🇨🇮 Kessie
🇪🇸 Castillejo
🇧🇪 Saelemaekers
🇪🇸 Diaz
🇹🇷 Calhanoglu
🇭🇷 Rebic
🇳🇴 Hauge
🇵🇹 Leao
🇸🇪 Ibrahimovic https://t.co/Q6mlTeFEfs
 
Filippo Galli, former Rossoneri player, granted an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport, he spoke about AC Milan and the season so far. These are his statements:

How much will the heavy defeat against Atalanta weigh tomorrow?

“It won’t weigh. On the contrary, I think the defeat came at the most opportune moment: Milan are still winter champions, and in the Cup they will play with desire to cancel Saturday’s performance. Are there any better reasons than a derby can give you?”

What has changed today compared to the derby in October?

“Milan have a deeper and more complete squad: Pioli has practically two players per each position. The Rossoneri have grown in recent months, Inter have remained the same. Pioli has found a precious balance. The group is mature, they know they are strong but this awareness has never become arrogant. Milan will win. They are more continuous than Inter.”

Could Mandzukic play in the derby with Ibrahimovic?

“The form seemed good to me, but to find the rhythm of the match he has to play, we have to wait, in attack there is no lack of solutions. Rather, the absences of Bennacer and Calhanoglu weigh. Hakan is a leader, on the field he speaks the same language as Ibrahimovic. Ismael guarantees rhythms that Tonali struggles to find.”

On Tonali:

“We have to wait for Sandro a little longer. Remember Calabria a year ago and now.”
 
Robert Lewandowski scores his 500th senior career goal.

He joins Messi, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic as the fourth active player to reach the milestone 🙌 https://t.co/owcoKtqNaB
 
According to the latest report from footballclubdemarseille.fr who reviewed the French winger’s performance, Thauvin’s already thinking of Milan. They had this to say on the 27 year-old World Cup winner:

“Already his head at AC Milan… Clearly, it was seen in this match. Thauvin has been transparent. So transparent that he looked sad by the Rossoneri’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta.”
 
Talks ongoing between #Otavio’s agent (Evandro Schmidt) and #ACMilan to sign #Porto’s midfielder (his contract expires in June) in the summer as a free agent. Otavio wants a contract until 2025 (€3M/year). #Maldini has shown interest, but the first bid was less (€2M/year)
 
Trio needed

The underwhelming performance by the Rossoneri highlighted the need for Pioli to have all his key players available. The game, in particular, showed just how important Calhanoglu has been for his side as he is the most creative force in the team.

Furthermore, the constant struggles of both Tonali and Samu Castillejo showcased just how much Milan need both Bennacer and Alexis Saelemaekers in the starting XI. The Belgian has been amazing both offensively and defensively for Milan and has shown great intelligence to his game and would be an instant upgrade to Castillejo.

And while Tonali has been better lately, Bennacer has been a pillar for Pioli’s side and is a very technical player that can handle pressure very well, something that Sandro failed to do against a high pressing Atalanta side.
 
Marco Materazzi, former defender of Inter spoke on Twitch to Bobo TV about Inter and their season, he also spoke about the competition of the Nerazzuri with the Rossoneri and the race for the Scudetto. This is what he said:

“Last year there were also the conditions of being able to win, it is true that it was Conte’s first year, but he is a great coach. The fact that we got to -1 from Juve is because the Bianconeri pulled the handbrake.”

“Milan? They are doing things that no one expected and are doing incredible things. Taking over Milan won’t be easy, it will be a great challenge until the end but in my opinion Inter has something more. Inter are absolutely the favourites but there are many factors. You cannot give the cross to the coach or to a single player. Surely if Inter does not win, Conte, being the leader, should ask himself some questions.”
 
Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie issues a challenge to Milan clubs and explains his goal celebration.

Juventus beat Bologna 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday with the US midfielder who doubled the Old Lady’s lead in the second half.

“It’s a very important win for us, both Milan clubs drop points yesterday,” McKennie told DAZN.


“We have a game down to play here in Turin, we are three points closer, it will be a fight till the end of the season, we’ll see who wins more.

“I have the energy to make runs into open spaces, I just see them, I used to be the man who had to look for that passes, so I know where to look, I kind of have the instincts to make those runs.

The former Schalke man eventually explained his celebration.

“I am actually a big Harry Potter fan, I have a tattoo on my hand, so it was a magic spell.
 
Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t getting any younger, currently 39-years-old, and Milan will inevitably have to think about the future. Although the Swede could stay for next season as well, a player is needed after that.

The Rossoneri are studying several profiles for the centre-forward role and one of them is Andrea Belotti. The striker has been linked with the club in the past and his contract with Torino will expire in the summer of 2022.

As reported by Tuttosport (via Andrea Propato), Il Toro will soon begin the renewal talks with their star but it won’t be easy for them. Belotti, who has played for them since 2015, has continued to score goals and a step up in his career could be on the cards.


Milan are monitoring the situation with great interest, per the newspaper, and they could perhaps make a move for the 27-year-old. Everything will depend on the renewal talks, though, and if Torino can avoid relegation this season.
 
Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t getting any younger, currently 39-years-old, and Milan will inevitably have to think about the future. Although the Swede could stay for next season as well, a player is needed after that.

The Rossoneri are studying several profiles for the centre-forward role and one of them is Andrea Belotti. The striker has been linked with the club in the past and his contract with Torino will expire in the summer of 2022.

As reported by Tuttosport (via Andrea Propato), Il Toro will soon begin the renewal talks with their star but it won’t be easy for them. Belotti, who has played for them since 2015, has continued to score goals and a step up in his career could be on the cards.


Milan are monitoring the situation with great interest, per the newspaper, and they could perhaps make a move for the 27-year-old. Everything will depend on the renewal talks, though, and if Torino can avoid relegation this season.
 
The 23-year-old defender has joined the Serie A leaders from Chelsea on loan with an option to buy.

“It’s a club with great history, this is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” the English defender said.


The Chelsea loanee reveals his first reaction when Milan called him.

“I was surprised, when I spoke to Paolo Maldini, he is the best defender he has ever played football. From there I knew this was were I wanted to be and where I wanted to play football.

“I am very happy to be here now.”
 
Zlatan Ibrahimović for Milan TV and Sky Sport:

About the match:

We missed a lot of things today: quality, intensity and aggression on the pitch. We didn't play at the right pace. There is no point in making excuses for yourself. In every game we have to fight for the best result. We have not achieved our goal today. Now we have to recover, draw conclusions and think about the next game.

About the atmosphere in the cloakroom:

We didn't talk much after the game. We are too disappointed. When you lose a game you don't think positive.

Is Milan in a crisis?

In the last 30 matches, we have only had two defeats. When there are injuries of key players in a team, there are players who do not have too much experience and few games played in Serie A. This is no excuse. We work hard and sacrifice ourselves on the pitch. We won the Winter Scudetto, but it doesn't really do us any good.

About Ilici:

If you put enough pressure on him, it will be really hard for him to play. Today he had too much space on the field and could have scored more goals. It is the same with me. If no one is pushing me, it's easier for me.

About the Winter Scudetto:

Half of the season is behind us. We've been doing quite well so far. Now we are facing the most difficult period and we must be properly prepared.

About the offensive:

In today's match I felt alone on the offensive. Perhaps it was related to pressure from Atalanta.

About Inter:

The next match will be an opportunity for us to start over. From the next match , we want to get back on track and do our best. The next match may allow us to regain our identity. Now we need to properly regenerate and prepare.

About Mandzukić:

He doesn't say much. I tried to greet him in Slavic and Italian. Our coach asked him if he would like to say something to the team. Mario said no. He doesn't say much. Mario is a very serious and focused person.
 
The performance of Mr. Maurizio Mariani was discreet last night, despite the fact that Milan-Atalanta was a match full of duels, tensions and contacts.

A fair penalty was given to Atalanta, even if a few minutes earlier Mariani could have sanctioned Hateboer with a yellow card who was guilty of having hit Kalulu.

The referee against Zlatan Ibrahimovic was very strict : in the first half Mariani whistled a foul in attack by the Swede for alleged charge against goalkeeper Gollini. In reality Ibra, as can be seen from the replays , jumps without hitting the goalkeeper, who loses the ball independently. It could have been a great opportunity for the Rossoneri.

Both the first and third goals of Atalanta are regular. Romero is not offside at the moment of Ilicic‘s free-kick and neither is Zapata on Romero’s winning assist. This was reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
 
#ACMilan with Saelemaekers this season:

➤ 14 games
➤ 36 points (11W, 3D)
➤ 32 goals scored
➤ 14 goals conceded

Without Saelemaekers:

➤ 5 games
➤ 7 points (2W, 1D, 2L)
➤ 7 goals scored
➤ 8 goals conceded

🇧🇪🔴⚫️ https://t.co/Fd6bIREfig
 
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