Milan vs Atalanta: a major Serie A test of the Rossoneri’s ambitions
On October 18, Milan will host Atalanta in Serie A’s seventh round. The match at San Siro will kick off at 18:00 Italian time. For the hosts, this is a chance to consolidate their position among the leaders, while the Bergamo side must prove that their poor start to the season will not turn into a long-term problem. On paper, the advantage belongs to the Rossoneri, but the visitors should certainly not be written off.
Milan: stability is there, but they want more
Ruben Amorim’s side come into the game with a healthy cushion of confidence. After six rounds, Milan have recorded three wins and three draws, remaining unbeaten. They have 12 points and sit in the upper part of the table. Still, draws alone will not take them far, making a home game against a direct rival an excellent opportunity to take the next step.
It is particularly important that Milan know how to collect points even in difficult matches. At the same time, there is room for improvement in attack: against an organized opponent, simply keeping possession is not enough — the ball must be moved into dangerous areas more quickly, and chances must be converted more efficiently.
- See also: The visitors look more reliable: Al-Merrikh vs Pyramids prediction
Samuel Chukwueze also deserves special attention, having already registered two assists in the league. His pace and ability to beat defenders one-on-one could become a major weapon against the visitors’ defense. In midfield, much will depend on the experience of Luka Modric and the work of Adrien Rabiot: this is where the battle for control of the match’s tempo could be decided.
There are also personnel concerns. According to preliminary reports, Matteo Gabbia and Alexis Saelemaekers are among the unavailable players. Amorim will therefore have to carefully consider his team selection and manage the workload. Still, Milan have enough depth on the bench to find a workable solution.
Atalanta: it is time to escape the turbulence
The situation is less comfortable for the Bergamo side. After six matches, Maurizio Sarri’s team have collected nine points, with three wins and three defeats. Their recent results highlight just how inconsistent the side have been so far: following losses to Cagliari and Juventus, they managed to beat Venezia 3-1. That victory should have provided a confidence boost, but a trip to San Siro will be a far more serious test.
Much will depend in attack on Nikola Krstovic, who has already scored three league goals. The Montenegro international is capable of holding up passes, finding space between defenders and finishing attacks with a limited number of touches. With Charles De Ketelaere providing support, the visitors have every chance of creating danger even without prolonged spells of positional play. However, Atalanta’s main problem at the moment lies in defense. The team have conceded eight goals in six rounds, and against an opponent with such individual quality, any lapse in concentration could prove fatal. Further difficulties are caused by injuries: Isak Hien, Giorgio Scalvini and Odilon Kossounou are all listed among the unavailable players. That is a serious cause for concern ahead of a meeting with one of the league’s most dangerous attacking teams.
What should we expect from the match?
The first goal could be decisive in this encounter. If Milan open the scoring early, the hosts will be able to force their opponents to commit more players forward and exploit the spaces left behind. If Atalanta withstand the initial pressure, however, the game could turn into an exchange of dangerous attacks. The visitors must not surrender control of midfield or allow Modric to build up attacks at his leisure.
At the same time, Milan must not forget about their opponents’ counterattacks. De Ketelaere knows how to find space between the lines, while Krstovic is a threat inside the box. So even if the hosts have the upper hand, this match is unlikely to be a straightforward affair.
According to the statistics ahead of the game, Atalanta have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, with the other two ending in draws. That is another reminder that, historically, the Bergamo club know how to cause Milan problems.
Milan look the more likely winners thanks to their unbeaten run and home advantage.However, the personnel concerns and the visitors’ attacking potential make it impossible to expect an easy outing.
My prediction is a Milan win.
