Atalanta 1-3 AC Milan
Winter signing Krzysztof Piatek continues to prove why he’s the perfect pickup for AC Milan.
After a short stint in Genoa where he made only 19 league appearances and 13 goals in nearly six months, the Polish striker has quickly found success in his new home and is currently riding an incredible scoring streak for the Rossoneri.
In their latest victory over Atalanta, Piatek was the main man once again, as he bagged a double at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri to propel Milan to a come-from-behind victory over Serie A rivals Atalanta.
Highlights of the game
Piatek is not the household name yet that will turn heads when mentioned. After all, in a league that boasts strikers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, Ciro Immobile and Mauro Icardi, it’s hard to stay relevant.
However, there’s no doubt that Piatek is establishing his case as a future superstar, and his display against Atalanta is proof of his superstar potential that is being tapped in Milan.
A Piatek double (scored on both sides of the interval) gave AC Milan the victory, completing a remarkable turnaround for the team that went behind just moments after the half-hour mark.
Atalanta, who were looking to overtake AC Milan in the standings, couldn’t wish for a better start. They were in the front foot during the opening exchanges and were deservingly rewarded with a goal on 33 minutes.
Remo Freuler converted from 12 yards after a perfect Josip Ilicic cutback stunned the Milan defence and set up the Swiss midfielder for the close-range finish. Gianluigi Donnnaruma almost had a hand on the ball but to no avail, as it went under him before bouncing off the far-left post.
Nonetheless, that goal seems to have only awakened a fire inside Piatek, who ensured to level matters before the break.
Piatek cancelled out Freuler’s opener at the stroke of halftime, volleying a left-wing cross from Ricardo Rodriguez. Atalanta keeper Etrit Baresha couldn’t do anything but reach for the ball hopelessly after the young Pole produced the exquisite left-foot shot.
The Milan comeback was complete just a few moments after the restart, with Hakan Calhanoglu grabbing the Serie A 2019 highlights with a stunning play from 20 yards out.
Atalanta defender Hans Hateboer failed to clear the ball properly, so Calhanoglu pounced on the poor play and sent a rocket into the far bottom corner.
Piatek then ended Atalanta’s hopes of any comeback, scoring the team’s third goal at the hour. Off a corner from Calhanoglu, the in-form forward beat both Duvan Zapata and the on-rushing Baresha to head the ball home.
After the game, Gennaro Gattuso has nothing but praise for his newly signed striker, even suggesting that scoring is in Piatek’s blood.
“In seven to eight months [in Serie A] everyone has become accustomed to these goals,” Gattuso said, via Goal.com. “Piatek is a player that lives to score goals. He is doing well with his movements and he has superior technical skills.”
Key statistics
The Serie A 2019 odds at SBOBET were stacked against Milan. After all, Atalanta were riding an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions prior to the showdown.
However, the home team simply didn’t have an answer to Piatek who has now scored six times in the past four games for the Rossoneri. Piatek failed to score in his debut for the team, but he has been on a tear since he was moved to the Starting XI.
With the scoring streak, Piatek also became the first Milan player since Mario Balotelli to score in each of his first three Serie A starts for the team.
Overall, Piatek has 17 goals in the Italian top flight this season (combined with his tally while with Genoa). He is second to Ronaldo in the scoring charts, albeit by only a couple of markers.
Milan consolidated their place at the top four with the victory, with the likes of Roma, Lazio and Atalanta now left to fight for the sixth to seventh.
What’s next?
Milan head home next to face Empoli. Nevertheless, they have more pressing concerns after that, with Lazio waiting for them in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Lazio and Milan have played out two goalless draws and a 1-1 stalemate in their last three meetings, though Milan did come out on top on the other draw through a penalty shootout (which is also in the Coppa Italia.
Atalanta play Torino next, but they also have a match in the Italian Cup where they will face Fiorentina in the semis.
Will we see Milan and Atalanta meet again in the Cup final? Well, only time will tell!
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