Milan end 63-year wait with hard-fought win over Atalanta

Milan held on to beat Atalanta 3-2 at San Siro and end a run of four home meetings without victory over their Serie A opponents.

The Rossoneri had drawn one and lost three of their previous four matches against Atalanta at the stadium, but goals from Goncalo Ramos, Adrien Rabiot and Mario Khila secured a narrow win in round seven.

Gianluca Gaetano and Nikola Krstovic scored for the visitors, who threatened a late equaliser after reducing the deficit to one goal.

The result also extended Ruben Amorim’s unbeaten start in the league. He became only the third Milan manager in history not to lose any of his first seven Serie A matches, following Hector Puricelli in 1955 and Lucas Carnera in 1963.

Milan moved up to fourth with 15 points, four behind leaders Inter. Atalanta suffered their fourth defeat of the season and remained 10th on nine points.

Milan will travel to Udinese in their next league fixture, while Atalanta will face Frosinone.

Milan build early lead

The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the 13th minute when Christian Pulisic found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Milan were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute, and Ramos converted from the spot to put them ahead.

Three minutes before half-time, Rabiot doubled the advantage. He collected Diego Moreira’s pass before driving a low shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal.

Ramos had the chance to score again and make it 3-0 shortly after the interval, but Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi saved his penalty in the 57th minute and turned the ball behind for a corner.

Milan made the set-piece count. Luka Modric delivered the corner, Strahinja Pavlovic headed it on and Khila produced another header to score the home side’s third goal.

Atalanta threaten comeback

Milan’s performance dipped after the third goal, allowing Atalanta back into the contest. Gaetano pulled one goal back in the 66th minute with a shot from inside the penalty area.

Atalanta reduced the gap further in the 81st minute when Krstovic converted Raoul Bellanova’s low cross, setting up a tense finish.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan made an important save two minutes later to deny Atalanta an equaliser.

Ardon Jashari then looked to settle the match for Milan, but Carnesecchi kept out his effort in the 88th minute. Milan held on to claim the points and end their San Siro winless run against Atalanta.