Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo
In a riveting Serie A clash, Atalanta claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over AC Milan, punctuated by a last-minute goal from super-sub Luis Muriel.
The game started evenly with both sides probing for openings. It was Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman who broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. His right-footed shot, which took a deflection off Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, left goalkeeper Mike Maignan with no chance.
AC Milan, showcasing their resilience, drew level in added time of the first half. Olivier Giroud rose highest to meet a corner, directing a powerful header into the net for his eighth league goal this campaign.
After the break, Lookman once again stamped his authority on the game. Ten minutes into the second half, he completed his brace with a precise finish from Charles De Ketelaere’s pass. But AC Milan, undeterred, fought back to level terms once again in the 80th minute through Luka Jovic, who executed a fine left-foot finish from Christian Pulisic’s cross.
The match reached its climax in the dying moments of stoppage time. Milan’s Davide Calabria received his marching orders in the 93rd minute after a second yellow card. In a twist of fate, this incident preceded the decisive moment when Luis Muriel, who had entered the fray in the 82nd minute, found the back of the net in the 95th minute, sealing a memorable win for Atalanta.
The result sees AC Milan remain in third place with 29 points, now trailing leaders Juventus by seven points following their win over Napoli. Atalanta climbs to seventh with 23 points, maintaining their push for European qualification.
This match was a testament to the unpredictable nature of Serie A, where the drama unfolds until the final whistle. Atalanta’s last-minute heroics have once again highlighted their tenacity, while AC Milan will rue the missed opportunity to close the gap at the top. The title race remains wide open, with this result surely adding another layer of intrigue to the Italian top-flight.