AC Milan's Champions League hopes took a severe blow on Sunday as they lost 2-3 at home to Atalanta, a result that leaves them clinging to fourth place in Serie A. The defeat at San Siro was met with whistles and a mass walkout by fans, as Massimiliano Allegri's side collapsed in the first half.
Atalanta struck twice inside the opening half-hour, with Ederson opening the scoring in the 7th minute and Zappacosta doubling the lead in the 29th. Milan never recovered from that early onslaught, and the situation worsened shortly after the restart when Raspadori made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute, leaving the home crowd in disbelief.
The Curva Sud emptied in droves after the third goal, a clear sign of the supporters' deep frustration with the team's performance and the direction under Allegri. The chants of discontent were audible, and the stadium atmosphere turned toxic.
To their credit, Milan showed a late surge. Pavlović headed home in the 91st minute to reduce the deficit, and Nkunku converted a penalty two minutes later to make it 2-3. But it was too little, too late, and the comeback fell short.
With this loss, Milan remain on 67 points but are now tied with Roma, who won earlier at Parma. Juventus also overtook them, dropping the Rossoneri to fourth place. With only a few rounds left, the margin for error is gone.
Allegri's position is under increasing scrutiny. The team's inconsistency has plagued them all season, and this performance against a direct rival for European spots underscores the fragility of their campaign. The fans' reaction suggests patience is wearing thin.
“This is not the Milan we want to see,” one frustrated supporter was overheard saying after the match, reflecting the widespread disappointment. The board now faces a difficult decision on whether to stick with the current manager.
Looking ahead, Milan must regroup quickly. Their remaining fixtures include tough away matches and a direct clash with Roma, which could decide their Champions League fate. Every point is vital from now on.
For Atalanta, the win propels them into contention for a top-four finish. Their clinical performance at San Siro demonstrated their quality and resilience.
Allegri's tactics were questioned again, as Milan's early defensive lapses proved costly. The team's inability to handle pressure in big moments has become a recurring theme.
The Champions League door remains open, but only just. Milan need to find a way to win consistently, and quickly, or risk missing out on Europe's premier competition entirely.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
