The Fiji TimesMilan seal 2-0 win over Atalanta
MILAN (Reuters) -Champions AC Milan beat guests Atalanta 2-0 in Serie A on Sunday, consolidating their place within the prime 4 as they prolonged their profitable streak to a few league outings.
Milan, who’ve now received 4 consecutive video games in all competitions for the primary time this season, moved as much as third within the standings on 47 factors.
They’re degree with second-placed Inter Milan and three factors above AS Roma, who go to backside aspect Cremonese on Tuesday.
“We had been (not too long ago) all the time profitable 1-0, however you’ll be able to’t all the time hope to not concede objectives,” coach Stefano Pioli, who oversaw his 800th profession sport as a supervisor, instructed DAZN.
“We should always have closed it earlier, however it was an ideal efficiency by the workforce. We performed it with the vitality that I recognise in my gamers.
“(However) It’s clear that we nonetheless want to attain a number of factors to complete within the prime 4”.
Pioli’s aspect took the lead within the twenty fifth minute via an personal aim by Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Milan defender Theo Hernandez despatched a robust first-time strike from distance which hit the within of the submit, and the ball went in off Musso’s again when he leaped to reserve it.
Milan ahead Rafael Leao tried a person effort in a counter-attack eight minutes later however narrowly missed the goal.
The Portugal worldwide went on to ship the ball over the crossbar within the thirty seventh minute after he was arrange contained in the field by Brahim Diaz.
TROUBLESOME ATALANTA
Atalanta had been below strain for many of the first half and didn’t muster an try on aim earlier than halftime.
They fired no pictures in a Serie A primary half for the primary time since 2004-05, when Opta began amassing such information.
Milan managed seven pictures however appeared way more targeted on defending than growing their benefit.
They saved the strain on, although, and Musso made a superb save to maintain out a Leao effort from distance within the 61st minute.
Moments earlier than that, he did nicely to disclaim Olivier Giroud who, nevertheless, was offside — and was substituted by returning striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic quickly after.
Midfielder Junior Messias doubled Milan’s lead shortly earlier than fulltime when he despatched a chipped ball over Musso after receiving a neat move from Leao.
Atalanta, who misplaced for third time of their final 4 Serie A outings, had zero pictures on course all through the sport.
“We tried every thing, however Milan’s dimension tonight was superior to ours,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini mentioned.
They continue to be sixth within the standings on 41 factors and subsequent host Udinese on Saturday. Milan journey to Fiorentina later that day.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in GdanskEditing by Christian Radnedge)
