Milan marked their return to the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday. Franck Kessie scored two penalties for the Rossoneri, giving them three vital points against the Orobici and helping Stefano Pioli’s team achieve their target. Milan has qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2013-14. Read more about AC Milan vs Atlanta | Milan Celebrates Return To Champions League With ‘This is our home’ Tweet below.
The club wrote on Twitter, “We are AC Milan, and we are in the Champions League.” “This is our home.”
AC Milan vs Atlanta | Match Report
R.E.M. sang, “We all go back to where we belong.” And that’s precisely what they did this evening. The last time AC Milan played in the Champions League was on March 12, 2014, at the Estadio Vicente Calderón in Madrid. The wait is over; AC Milan finished second after a 2-0 victory over Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium, reclaiming their spot among Europe’s elite.
The Rossoneri, who needed to win in Bergamo, put in a strong, valiant, and sacrifice-filled effort. They stifled Atalanta’s offensive, caught the Dea off guard, and scored twice from the spot through Kessie: one at halftime and one late in the second half in injury time.
For 90 minutes, the team stood together and played as a unit until the final whistle. After battling day after day, game after game, minute after minute in this final match against a team that has been outstanding all season, the season comes to a close with 79 points and a second-place finish.
For what seems like an eternity, we can now rejoice: we are back in the Champions League!
It was a tense and tactical match, with the hosts controlling the majority of possession but barely challenging Gigio’s target. The Rossoneri, meanwhile, just caused Gollini trouble in the fourth minute when Saelemaekers rifled home from a strong spot. AC Milan struggled a lot in the build-up and on the counter. That was before Theo was brought down in the penalty area by a combination of Mhle and Romero in the 42nd minute. Following that, Kessie took the penalty kick and beat Gollini to make it 1-0.
Atalanta went on the offensive in the second half, with Muriel replacing Pessina. In the 58th minute, this offensive pressure resulted in a fantastic chance for Zapata, who turned well after receiving possession from Malinovskyi and hit the ball just inches deep.
Pioli replied by replacing Bennacer and Daz with Mete and Kruni, but the hosts continued to press and Malinovskyi challenged twice from long range. Milan came alive in the 69th minute thanks to Mete. His ball for Leo resulted in Rafa being denied by the post.
Three minutes later, Muriel answered for Atalanta with a long-range attempt that went just short. As the game progressed, Atala became more frustrated. As the game progressed, Atalanta continued its attacking intent. Milan once again reached the back of the net from Franck’s second penalty kick after a handball by Gosens.
Soon after, the final whistle blew, signaling AC Milan’s return to the Champions League with a 2-0 victory!
