AC Milan suffered a damaging 2-3 defeat to Atalanta at San Siro, a result that could prove devastating in the race for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. What was meant to be a crucial night for the Rossoneri instead descended into frustration, anger, and growing uncertainty around the future of the club.

Even before kick-off, tensions were boiling over as Milan ultras staged loud protests against the club’s hierarchy. The performance that followed only intensified the sense of crisis. Atalanta stormed into control early on, with Éderson and Davide Zappacosta both finding the net before the hosts had even managed a meaningful touch inside the visitors’ penalty area.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side played with intensity and precision, exposing every weakness in a disjointed and fragile Milan setup. Shortly after the restart, Giacomo Raspadori added a third goal, silencing large sections of San Siro and triggering a mass exodus from the stands as frustrated supporters headed for the exits long before full-time.

To their credit, AC Milan finally showed signs of urgency late in the match. Strahinja Pavlović powered home a header from a delivery by Samuele Ricci, before Christopher Nkunku converted a late penalty to give the scoreline a more respectable look. But the comeback arrived too late to rescue anything from another disastrous evening.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

AC Milan - Atalanta 2:3 (0:2)
Goals: Éderson J., 7 (0:1); Zappacosta, 29 (0:2); Raspadori, 51 (0:3); Pavlović S., 88 (1:3); Nkunku, 90 (penalty) (2:3)

AC Milan: Maignan; De Winter K. (Athekame, 59); Pavlović S.; Bartesaghi (Estupiñán, 80); Ricci S.; Loftus-Cheek (Nkunku, 46); Rabiot; Gabbia; Saelemaekers; Gimenez S. (Fuellkrug, 59); Rafael Leão (Fofana Y., 58)
Substitution: Nkunku (from 46); Fofana Y. (from 58); Athekame (from 59); Fuellkrug (from 59); Estupiñán (from 80)
Bench: Terracciano; Odogu; Jashari A.
Yellow Cards: Rafael Leão 34; Estupiñán 89; Rabiot 89; Saelemaekers 90

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Hien; Kolasinac; Scalvini (Kossounou, 48; Ahanor, 63); Zappacosta (Bellanova, 55); Éderson J.; de Roon; De Ketelaere (Pasalic Mario, 63); Zalewski; Raspadori; Krstovic
Substitution: Kossounou (from 48 till 63); Bellanova (from 55); Ahanor (from 63); Pasalic Mario (from 63)
Bench: Rossi F.; Sportiello; Bakker M.; Obrić; Musah Y.; Samardzic L.; Sulemana К.; Vavassori; Scamacca
Yellow Cards: Hien 70; Bellanova 90; Krstovic 90