Atalanta stunned AC Milan by coming from behind to win 2-1 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia this afternoon in Serie A.
Gianpaolo Bellini’s unfortunate own goal after 51 minutes gave the Rossoneri the lead before German Denis slotted home a penalty on 68 minutes. Franco Brienza scored a stunning winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
Milan coach Clarence Seedorf named a full strength side aside from the suspended Christian Abbiati and had Stephan El Shaarawy among the substitutes for the first time in 2014. Atalanta had several defensive absentees and called upon the experienced Bellini.
Despite the Rossoneri needing to win to keep alive their hopes of Europa League qualification they showed little urgency or real purpose and with Atalanta having nothing to play for but pride, the first half began a tepid affair.
It was a full 25 minutes before either keeper was called into action; Marco Amelia saved comfortably from Carlos Carmona’s low shot as the home side began to create openings in the Milan back line. Atalanta continued to waste a number of good chances with Denis, Maximiliano Moralez and Giacomo Bonaventura being guilty of poor finishing.
As the first half drew to close the Rossoneri began to show more intent; Mario Balotelli managed to test Andrea Consigli with a couple of long range free kicks, one of which crashed against the crossbar, and Riccardo Montolivo fired a powerful drive into the side netting.
After the restart Milan looked a different side; Kaka came close with a glancing header amid efforts from Muntari and Montolivo. Their pressure would soon tell as a swift move found Muntari in space on the left hand side and his low cross for Balotelli was inadvertently diverted past Consigli by the outstretched leg of Bellini to give the Rossoneri the lead.
Atalanta were handed the perfect chance to level scores when Kevin Constant carelessly went in late on Carmona; despite there being only slight contact, Nicola Rizzoni rightly awarded the penalty. Denis duly stepped up to dispatch his effort and send Amelia the wrong way.
Seedorf knew that his side had to win and duly sent on Adel Taarabt to join Kaka, Balotelli and El Shaarawy, who made his comeback at half time, as the Rossoneri desperately searched for a winner.
The home side began to sit deeper and force Milan to dictate but strong defensive blocks and yet more wayward finishing prevailed. Balotelli wasted another free kick from a highly promising position, firing it straight into the wall. In injury time the enigmatic striker would show his brilliance; he struck a wonderful effort on the angle that caught everyone off guard looked destined for the net until it crashed against the far post.
At the very last moment, Atalanta stole the points with a wonder goal from substitute Brienza. The ball was laid back just outside the area by Giulio Migliaccio and Brienza smashed the ball first time into the top corner to send the local fans into rapture and in all likelihood end the Rossoneri’s European dreams.
