Milan 1 - 1 Atlanta: Recap

With just three games remaining, last night’s game was crucial for both Milan and Atlanta to qualify for the Europa League. The two teams were separated by six points meaning that a win would have allowed Milan to, potentially, overtake their opponents and qualify for the group stage of the Europa League. Going into the game, Atlanta was unbeaten in their last seven league games. Milan, on the other hand, had failed to win the last four.

Milan started off the game weak, and Atalanta looked very promising. Besides maybe one attack for Milan in the first 20 minutes, Milan couldn’t escape their half. In the 30th minute, a promising Milan cross isn't dealt with well enough by Atalanta, and that allowed Deulofeu to fire a strike towards goal. The shot, however, is blocked on the edge of the six-yard box. Deulofeu was undoubtedly one of the best performing Milan players.

In the 44th minute, after Donnarumma made a sublime save, Atlanta took the lead in a simple rebound finish from a few yards out.

Following missed Milan chances throughout the second half, the last ten minutes of the game gets interesting. Milan are bossing possession well but have failed to capitalize on several chances. Then, as Milan kept on piling bodies forward and throwing everything the had at Atlanta, the ball bounces around in the box, and, miraculously, Deulofeu fires a low shot into the back of the net.

In the end, Milan tied Atlanta which is not a terrible result but— admittedly— was undeserved. Milan still has a shot at making the Europa League Qualifying Round which would be a positive way to end the season.