Qaplo – AC Milan suffered a painful 3-2 defeat to Atalanta BC at San Siro on Monday, a result that leaves the Rossoneri’s place in the Serie A top four increasingly vulnerable with only two matches remaining in the season. The visitors delivered a highly efficient performance, racing to a three-goal lead through Ederson, Davide Zappacosta, and Giacomo Raspadori. Milan responded late with goals from Strahinja Pavlović and Christopher Nkunku, but the comeback attempt came too late. The defeat is a major setback for Milan in the battle to secure a UEFA Champions League berth. They remain fourth in Serie A with 67 points, holding the position only on head-to-head advantage over AS Roma, who are level on points. Atalanta, meanwhile, moved to seventh place with 58 points and kept alive their hopes of climbing further up the standings. Atalanta stunned the home crowd with an early breakthrough in the seventh minute. Ederson capitalized on a loose ball after Raspadori’s initial effort to put the visitors ahead. The lead doubled in the 30th minute when Zappacosta finished clinically after receiving a pass from Nikola Krstović, sending a low shot beyond Mike Maignan. Milan’s problems worsened shortly after halftime. A costly midfield error allowed Raspadori to score Atalanta’s third goal in the 51st minute with a precise finish. Trailing by three goals, many home supporters began leaving the stadium early. Milan did show some late resistance, however. Pavlović reduced the deficit with a header in the 88th minute. Moments later, Milan were awarded a penalty after Nkunku was brought down inside the box. The French forward stepped up and converted the spot kick himself. Despite the late rally, Milan could not avoid defeat, extending their winless streak to three matches. Pressure is mounting on manager Stefano Pioli, especially after Roma’s dramatic victory earlier in the round intensified the competition near the top of the table. Starting Lineups AC Milan (3-5-2) Mike Maignan; Koni De Winter, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlović; Alexis Saelemaekers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Samuele Ricci, Adrien Rabiot, Davide Bartesaghi; Rafael Leão, Santiago Giménez Atalanta (3-4-2-1) Marco Carnesecchi; Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, Sead Kolašinac; Davide Zappacosta, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Nicola Zalewski; Charles De Ketelaere, Giacomo Raspadori; Nikola Krstović
