Atalanta – Milan Serie A week 9

Week 8 was a sort of deja vu for many Milan fans. The team, though carrying some injuries, was unable to stay focused and come away with three points playing a last placed team. Pulisic, Rabiot and other absences hurt most teams with little to no depth but Pisa should not present a challenge at home. Yet it took a last minute Athekame speculative shot to come away with even a solitary point. Throughout the match the team frustrated and were frustrated by the lowly visitors.

Milan travel to Atalanta in one of the rare midweek matches for this season. The injuries remain except that Loftus-Cheek is ready for the bench. Tomori who was left on the bench in favour of De Winter for the Pisa match should be able to start again. Gabbia and Pavlovic remain the only options for the back. Maignan will of course start when healthy. The middle looks to feature the same five as against Pisa. Jashari is said to be closing in on a return from long term injury but that won’t happen yet. Modric continues to defy his age but may not last the whole 90 of a midweek match. Saelemaekers, Fofana, Ricci and Bartesaghi will complete the middle five. With Nkunku, an available forward, on the bench both of Leao and Gimenez can start together. The latter hasn’t yet gotten into form and though hard work can be seen often times it is not anywhere close to enough. Leao has been on the scoresheet when needed and this needs to continue because the push for a Champions League spot will only become harder as the rivals take shape. Juventus’ firing of Igor Tudor may turn out well for the old lady.

Atalanta have six ties in their first eight Serie A games to start the season. Will they remain a challenger for the top four spots? The team has the talent and Milan need to push hard to remain at or near the top.

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