SOCCER: AC Milan’s top-four bid hit by 3-2 home defeat to Atalanta

AC Milan’s bid for a UEFA Champions League spot suffered a major setback on Sunday after a 3-2 defeat to Atalanta BC at San Siro, further intensifying fan protests against the club’s leadership.

Atalanta struck early through Ederson and Davide Zappacosta in the first half, before Giacomo Raspadori added a third goal six minutes after the break. Milan responded late, with Strahinja Pavlović pulling one back in the 88th minute and Christopher Nkunku converting a stoppage-time penalty, but the comeback fell short.

The result comes at a critical moment in the Serie A race, with AS Roma’s 3-2 victory over Parma leaving them level on points with AC Milan. Milan, however, remain in fourth place due to their head-to-head advantage over Roma, with only two matches remaining in the season.

At the top of the table, Inter Milan have already secured the title with 85 points, while Napoli sit on 70 points ahead of their match against Bologna. Juventus are third with 68 points, just one ahead of both Milan and Roma. Como sit sixth, two points behind, while Atalanta remain seventh on 58 points.

Tensions were high before kickoff, as Milan supporters staged a protest march outside the stadium, directing criticism at CEO Giorgio Furlani and the club’s hierarchy. Since winning the Serie A title in 2022, Milan have only added the Italian Super Cup to their trophy collection, deepening frustration among fans.

The defeat also places additional pressure on manager Massimiliano Allegri, whose first season back in charge has seen Milan’s title challenge fade and form deteriorate, with four defeats in their last six league matches.

Atalanta took the lead in the seventh minute after Raspadori’s shot was blocked in the box and Ederson reacted quickest to fire the loose ball into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Maignan kept Milan in the contest with key saves, including efforts from Nikola Krstović and Nicola Zalewski, but Atalanta continued to dominate and doubled their advantage in the 29th minute. Krstović held off Matteo Gabbia before laying the ball off to Zappacosta, who bundled it past Maignan.

The visitors appeared to seal the win when Raspadori scored from a tight angle to make it 3-0, prompting sections of the Curva Sud to leave the stadium as frustration grew among the home supporters.

Milan mounted a late response, with Pavlović heading in a goal to reduce the deficit before Nkunku’s penalty in stoppage time set up a tense finish. However, Atalanta held firm to secure all three points. -Reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters