We’re not particularly religious here at the Fossa, but following an Italian team and being an English blog based out of the United States, it’s impossible to ignore that today is Easter Sunday. I’m also aware that Passover ends today and March was an important month for Muslims with Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. So before we dive into the game, let us say Happy Easter, Happy Passover, and Ramadan and Eid Mubarak to everyone who celebrates! I hope you all have and have had wonderful holidays with your friends and family.
MATCHDAY:
LAST FIVE
MILAN: WLDDW
ATALANTA: WLLLW
FORMATIONS
MILAN (3-4-3): Maignan (C); Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Fofana, Reijnders, Hernández; Pulisic, Jović, Leão
ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, de Roon (C), Éderson, Cuadrado; Pasalić, Lookman; Retegui
TIME/LOCATION
TIME: 2:45pm EST/6:45pm GMT
PLACE: San Siro, Milano
WHERE TO WATCH:
Paramount+ and FuboTV here in the US of Aye (Spanish broadcast on Fox Deportes in the US); FuboTV and TLN for Canada; TNT in the UK (maybe?); ESPN for Mexico; DAZN for Germany, Austria, Switzerland; a website called GXR for our friends in India; and illegal streams that support dictators and oligarchs everywhere.
*Let us know if this needs updating or if you have additional broadcasters to add*
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Well we got our first look at the 3-man backline last game and as I mentioned in the Udinese-Milan post match, Milan got a lot of positives out of the formation. The biggest positives I saw was the wide play and Theo being allowed to attack with fewer defensive responsibilities. Without a CAM (or creative attacking midfielder) out there, the wide play was key and Theo unleashed definitely helps that cause.
With a little bit of game footage, I wouldn’t expect to see quite the same openness Milan saw vs Udinese but of course I hope we see just as successful an attack. In addition to staying wide, something I think Atalanta is going to try and stop, Jović and Reijnders in the middle of the pitch will be key. Fofana will have a part to play as well, maybe thee part if those other 2 are marked out, but getting something there will be key if Atalanta widen out to limit the damage coming from the outside.
As for Atalanta, they haven’t been in great form despite breaking a 3 game losing streak last time out. Since December 28th, the last game of 2024, they have gone 6-8-7. Keep in mind they were leading Serie A at the start of this streak and are now just as likely to fall out of the top 4 as they are to finish in it. As of kickoff, they are in 3rd but just 1 point clear of Bologna (but with a game in hand) and 2 points clear of Juventus.
As to what Atalanta does in this game, I think if Milan can get out in front early then I think they will crumble. For instance, Atalanta have 3 games during this bad run of form where they won 2 games 5-0 and 1 game where they won 4-0. They’ve had 3 other shutouts during this stretch, drawing 0-0 twice and beating Bologna 2-0 (even in this game they scored 3 minutes in). So again, I think the key here is not conceding first and Milan can get them on a negative spiral. This will be extra important considering Milan haven’t beaten Atalanta in their last 4 tries, the last win coming at the San Siro in February 2023.
PREDICTION TIME:
Milan is rolling out the exact same lineup as last time so we’ll get to see how much they’ve improved. I would’ve preferred Abraham start but Jović played well last time even if I thought Abraham played better. I won’t give a prediction (eff that), but I think we see 3-4 goals. Hopefully Milan is on the right side of that.
Forza Milan
gillis