AC Milan came back from a goal down to beat Atalanta 3-1 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia in the final match for each team in this year’s Serie A campaign.
Daniele Baselli opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a powerful header. Fifteen minutes later Giampaolo Pazzini levelled the score from the penalty spot. Just two minutes later Milan doubled their lead with Giacomo Bonaventura tapping home a rebound, with the former Atalanta man bagging his brace in similar fashion late on.
The first chance came from the hosts as Baselli got past the back line of Milan, but was only able to get a slight touch which would have been goal bound if it hadn’t been for goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
The early stages saw Atalanta continue to dominate the possession and after a wonderful cross into the box by Davide Zappacosta, German Denis’ header hit the crossbar and the Nerazzurri were unfortunate to take the lead
Following some nice build up play from Milan, Keisuke Honda swung in the corner and a Phillipe Mexes header was sent forcefully on goal, though to the fortune of Atalanta, Luca Cigiarini was there to clear the ball out without any damage done.
Giampaolo Pazzini was found with the ball just outside the box and his pass to Stephan El Shaarawy eventually ended with a halfhearted shot that was deflected out for a corner.
The remaining minutes of the first half saw Milan play the ball around without any urgency. Atlanta had other ideas as they gained possession and Moralez played in a wonderful ball from the right side but it failed to find anyone.
In the second period, Atalanta was awarded two free kicks in succession early on but were unable to find an equalizer with failed attempts on goal by Cigarini and Alejandro Gomez.
Zappacosta played in a ground cross from the right and as Abbiati dove to tip the ball away, it was eventually cleared by Salvatore Bocchetti, just inches from Denis’ boot,
The final third of the game saw mostly domination of possession from Milan with small bursts and counter attacks from Atalanta but did not have any success.
Denis won a free kick with just minutes remaining on the edge of the box but Moralez’s free kick went straight into Abbiati’s wall.
Then late on a cross was swung into the Atalanta penalty area from the right, Bonaventura’s first effort hit the post but he collected himself and calmly tapped home on the second attempt.
The final opportunity for Atalanta came from another free kick attempt with two minute’s remaining in stoppage time but Denis’ attempt sailed 30 rows deep into the stands.
