AC Milan defeated Atalanta 1-0 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Serie A action Sunday afternoon.
After a dearth of chances early on, Stephan El Shaarawy thumped home the lone goal of the match on 29 minutes. The Rossoneri were able to hold on, aided in part by the dismissal of Davide Brivio early in the second half.
The first chance of the match fell to the home side, as Christian Abbiati was forced to leave his feet to palm away Giacomo Bonaventura’s cross seeking the head of German Denis.
Opportunities were desperately sparse for either side, as Kevin-Prince Boateng fired well wide from distance and German Denis’ snapshot was blocked.
On 24 minutes Michele Ferri was forced off with an injury, making way for Cristian Raimondi at right-back.
Milan began to monopolise possession as the first half wore on, and were soon rewarded as El Shaarawy broke the deadlock. M’Baye Niang spotted the young Italian’s intelligent run through the heart of the defense, sensing him through to beat Andrea Consigli with a right-footed strike across the face of goal.
The Orobici came tearing upfield when play resumed, but Abbiati was able to pluck substitute Raimondi’s header out of the air from a corner kick conceded by Philippe Mexes.
Niang had a long-range effort smothered by Andrea Consigli, whilst Denis just barely failed to latch on to a dangerous square ball from Giacomo Bonaventura.
The Rossoneri continued their oppressive possession after the halftime restart, Giampaolo Pazzini going just wide from an audacious bicycle kick attempt.
On 58 minutes Atalanta’s hopes were dealt a serious blow as Brivio was given his marching orders, receiving a second yellow card for needlessly barging into Pazzini and knocking the Italian to the floor.
Soon after, Stefano Colantuono replaced Denis with defender Carlos Mathieu in search of defensive solidity.
Mathieu Flamini attempted to catch out Consigli from distance, but the keeper was alert and equal to the task.
The Orobici keeper and Mexes received matching yellows on 77 minutes for dissent after Niang went down under a crunching, but legal, tackle from Carlos Carmona.
New signing Igor Budan came on for Luca Cigarini, returning to the field for his former club 10 minutes from full time.
Flamini beat his man with a nice bit of skill to go clear on goal, but saw his snapshot beaten away by Consigli to maintain a 1-0 deficit.
Max Allegri threw on Robinho for El Shaarawy and Bakaye Traore for Niang with mere minutes to go as Milan looked to comfortably close out the match.
Atalanta were unable to muster a goal late on, as the Rossoneri claimed the three points on the road.
You can follow Ian Capasso on Twitter: @capasso10
