Milan 2-3 Atalanta Player Ratings: La Dea Secure Crucial Away Win Despite Late Efforts From Pavlovic and Nkunku

A statement from Atalanta as they travelled to the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) and simply dismantled a lackluster AC Milan side, securing a comprehensive 3-1 victory. The match was over as a contest far earlier than the final whistle suggested.

The visitors' intent was clear from the off. Éderson opened the scoring just seven minutes in, a sign of the defensive frailties that would plague Milan all evening. Before the hosts could even regroup, Davide Zappacosta doubled the lead, leaving Milan stunned and the home crowd silent.

AC Milan tried to muster a response, but every attack was met by a wall, often in the form of the brilliant Marco Carnesecchi in the Atalanta goal. Any lingering hope was extinguished shortly after the break when Giacomo Raspadori made it three.

While Strahinja Pavlović grabbed a consolation, followed by a 94th-minute penalty from Christopher Nkunku, it did little to paper over the cracks in a truly disappointing performance in this Serie A clash.

Here are the Milan vs Atalanta Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Milan saw more of the ball (57%) and had a better xG of 1.94, but just couldn't make it to the finishing line.
• Matteo Gabbia won the most duels (8).
• Marco Carnesecchi was the player who lost possession the most times in this match (24).

Milan Player Ratings vs Atalanta

Check out the Milan Player Ratings from the Milan vs Atalanta Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mike Maignan - 5.0: A really tough night for the Milan captain. He was left exposed by his defence for all three goals. While he made a couple of saves, conceding three times at home never looks good. From our perspective, his distribution was okay, but he looked defeated long before the final whistle.

Defenders

Koni De Winter - 5.5: A very quiet and ineffective display. He was hooked before the hour mark after failing to make any real impact on the game. We noticed he struggled with Atalanta's movement and offered little going forward. A forgettable performance.

Matteo Gabbia - 6.0: He was certainly busy, involved in 12 duels. However, the Milan backline was a mess, and he was part of the problem. He won a decent number of his challenges but was caught out of position on occasion. It felt like a chaotic night for him.

Strahinja Pavlović - 7.5: The only real bright spark for Milan. He scored his team's only goal, showing great determination. Defensively, he was also one of the better performers, making some key clearances and tackles. He showed a level of fight that many of his teammates lacked.

Midfielders

Samuele Ricci - 7.0: A solid performance in a losing effort. He provided the assist for Milan's goal and was incredibly tidy with the ball, boasting 96% pass accuracy. He tried to drive his team forward but was fighting a losing battle against a superior Atalanta midfield.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 6.0: Only played the first half before being forced off with an injury. In his time on the pitch, he had a key pass but struggled to assert any real authority. The game seemed to pass him by a little.

Adrien Rabiot - 6.5: So unlucky to hit the post early in the game; a goal then could have changed everything. He was combative, winning six of his seven duels and drawing fouls. However, as Atalanta took control, his influence waned significantly.

Davide Bartesaghi - 6.0: He had some promising moments and delivered a couple of key passes. But what stood out to us was how often he lost possession. His end product just wasn't there on the night, and he was eventually substituted.

Alexis Saelemaekers - 6.0: Ran his socks off but with very little to show for it. He lost the ball a staggering 16 times, which killed many of Milan's attacks. We saw a lot of effort, but the quality was sorely lacking. A frustrating watch.

Forwards

Santiago Gimenez - 6.0: He had two shots on target but was marshalled expertly by the Atalanta defence. He never truly looked like finding the back of the net. He worked hard but was isolated for large parts of the game.

Rafael Leão - 5.0: A really poor outing from a player of his calibre. He missed a big chance, picked up a needless yellow card, and lost possession frequently. He was subbed before the hour, and frankly, it was a surprise he lasted that long. A deeply disappointing performance.

Substitutes

A raft of substitutes were introduced, including Youssouf Fofana and Niclas Füllkrug, but none could alter the course of the game. They struggled to make an impact against a well-organized and confident Atalanta side.

Manager

M. Allegri - 5.0: His team looked second-best from the first whistle. The tactical setup was all wrong, leaving his defence exposed and his attack looking toothless. His substitutions failed to change the momentum. A very bad day at the office for the experienced coach.

Atalanta Player Ratings vs Milan

Have a look at the Atalanta Player Ratings from the Milan vs Atalanta Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Marco Carnesecchi - 8.5: A colossal performance. He made eight saves, many of which were top-drawer stops that denied Milan any way back into the game. He commanded his area with authority and was a key reason for the comfortable win. An outstanding display.

Defenders

Isak Hien - 7.5: A defensive masterclass. He was a rock at the back, making 6 clearances and 3 crucial interceptions. He read the game beautifully and won the majority of his duels. Milan's attackers got no change out of him all night.

Sead Kolasinac - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular outing. He did his defensive duties diligently, though he was a bit clumsy at times, committing three fouls. He was part of a very solid defensive unit and played his part well.

Giorgio Scalvini - 7.0: Looked very composed and assured before an injury unfortunately cut his game short. He made several important interceptions and was comfortable on the ball. Atalanta didn't miss a beat even after he left, which is a testament to the team's organization.

Midfielders

Éderson - 9.0: The highest-rated player and our Man of the Match. An absolutely dominant performance. He scored the opener, assisted the third, and was simply everywhere. He controlled the tempo of the game and was a creative force throughout. A world-class display.

Marten de Roon - 7.0: The captain led by example with a typically industrious and gritty performance. He broke up play effectively and distributed the ball intelligently. He provided the steel in midfield that allowed players like Éderson to flourish.

Nicola Zalewski - 6.5: A tidy and hard-working performance on the flank. He contributed defensively and had a shot on target. While not a standout player, he played his role in the team's system perfectly.

Davide Zappacosta - 8.0: Made a huge impact, scoring the vital second goal with a smart finish. He was a constant threat down the right side before being substituted. His goal gave Atalanta complete control of the match.

Forwards

Charles De Ketelaere - 7.0: Against his former club's rivals, he was a real handful. He didn't get on the scoresheet, but his movement and link-up play were excellent. He created problems for the Milan defence all evening.

Giacomo Raspadori - 8.0: Scored a superb goal to put the game to bed. Beyond the goal, he was creative, registering two key passes and working tirelessly for the team. A fantastic and clinical performance.

Nikola Krstović - 7.0: A mixed bag, but ultimately a positive contribution. He provided the crucial assist for the second goal. However he also missed a huge chance and was sometimes physically overwhelmed. Still, his assist was a key moment in the win.

Substitutes

The substitutes, including Raoul Bellanova and Mario Pasalic, slotted in seamlessly. They helped maintain Atalanta's control and see out the victory with professional ease. They did exactly what was asked of them.

Manager

R. Palladino - 8.5: His game plan was executed to perfection. He set his team up to be aggressive from the start, and they took their chances clinically. Defensively, they were organized and resilient. A tactical masterclass that earned a famous victory.

Man of the Match

Éderson was the best performer in this Serie A encounter.

Worst Performer

Rafael Leão was the worst player from Milan vs Atalanta.