It was yet another disappointing result for AC Milan as they lost 2-0 at home to Atalanta, falling to ninth place in the table, despite the squad being sent into retreat earlier this week.
Former Milan youth product Bryan Cristante scored the first goal of the match, setting the pace for the win. In the second half, substitute Josip Ilicic confirmed the result for Atalanta when he made it 2-0.
Atalanta controlled the possession through the first 10 minutes of the match and kept Milan on the back foot. It was Milan who threatened first, however, as Giacomo Bonaventura goal was overturned by VAR due to a Patrick Cutrone handball.
Milan had another chance in the 16th minute as Leonardo Bonucci received a cross off of a set piece but missed the mark with his header.
Atalanta then had a chance as the ball ran across the goal line that was cleared by Ignazio Abate. Riccardo Montolivo had the next chance of the game as he received a pass off of a corner kick but his shot was saved and pushed wide.
The Nerazzurri were the first to break through as they scored off of a Papu Gomez free kick. Mattia Caldara was left unmarked off of the set piece and fired a header which was deflected and Bryan Cristante pounced on the rebound to place the ball in the back of the net.
The team was received by whistles as they headed into the locker room for the halftime break.
Milan controlled much of the match to start the second half, as they tried to equalize. They had some good opportunities in quick succession, as Kessie had a header off a corner in the 48th minute and a shot from the edge of the box in the 50th minute that was just wide, while Kalinic missed a header from an Abate cross in the 51st minute.
Atalanta almost was able to double their lead in the 52nd minute as Andrea Petagna shot the ball from inside the box, but was blocked by Rodriguez. On the ensuing corner kick, Atalanta had a great opportunity to score off a header but it was directed right at Gianluigi Donnarumma.
As the Rossoneri continued to push for an equalizer, Kalinic had maybe their best chance of the second half in the 54th minute as he received the ball in close range but his shot was blocked.
Gian Piero Gasperini brought Josip Ilicic on for Petagna and it paid off. He looked dangerous right away as he had an opportunity to score in the 67th minute.
He finally broke through in the 71st minute as he received a great ball in the middle of the box and placed it past Donnarumma, making the score 2-0.
Gattuso tried to revitalize the squad by bringing on Hakan Calhanoglu for Bonaventura, but the Turkish player had no impact at all on the match.
After the second goal, Milan had no real opportunities to score and Atalanta cruised to victory.