AC MILAN v ATALANTA: MATCH PREVIEW

The Rossoneri's third game of 2024, and once again it is in the Coppa Italia. After victory in the round of 16 against Cagliari (4-1), we return to action at 21:00 CET for a knockout quarter-final tie. In between, there was the win over Empoli in the league, which gave further confidence to the team. Atalanta arrive at San Siro, who beat us 3-2 in Serie A just a month ago, with a further reason to play a great match and book their place in the semi-finals, either against Fiorentina. Everything you need to know about the match between the Rossoneri and the Orobici in our Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
Despite the many absences, especially in the defensive department, a courageous and positive AC Milan has emerged from these first few games of the new year, capable of drawing on all its resources, including youth from the Primavera, whose attitude and performance have been exemplary in the last few weeks. For the game with Atalanta, Florenzi, who came off early against Empoli, has also been added to the 'unavailable' list at the back, which already includes Kalulu, Tomori and Thiaw. Simon Kjær may also be given a rest, so there could be two changes compared to the lineup seen at the Castellani: Bartesaghi, Gabbia, Jiménez and Simić all ready to compete for a starting berth, with the positions based on who is chosen. New signing Terracciano will also be available. In midfield, rotation is likely and, after Sunday's run out, there could be room for Musah from the first whistle. In attack, Luka Jović, MVP for the month of December, is chomping at the bit, while Pulisic and Rafa are likely to play either side of him, with Chaka and Romero ready to make their contributions as subs during the game.

On the eve of the game Ruben Loftus-Cheek spoke to Milan TV: "We have started the year in the right way and in the last two games we played good football. We want to maintain this level of form because we are a good side, but we have to think one game at a time and concentrate on the opposition ahead of us".

LATEST FROM ATALANTA
Gasperini's team easily got past Sassuolo in the round of 16 and are fresh from a costly trip to the Olimpico, a 1-1 draw against Roma. The coach from Piedmont will be forced to utilise his squad for the match at San Siro: Sead Kolašinac and Charles De Ketelaere are both doubts, both coming off early against the Giallorossi due to physical problems. Without Lookman, involved in the Africa Cup of Nations, Gasperini will have to decide whether to field Mirančuk or Pašalić behind lone striker Scamacca, or whether to trust Luis Muriel from the start, who was decisive against us at the Gewiss Stadium in the match on 9 December. After having given Carnesecchi the nod in the last four consecutive league matches, it is possible that he will be replaced in goal by Musso, who also started against Sassuolo in the last round of the cup. Returning to the squad, following injury, should be Tolói. 

On the eve of the clash, Gasperini spoke in a pre-match press conference: "The Coppa Italia is the most achievable competition for us, we go to San Siro to play. AC Milan is a strong side at home, of great value and we are aware the game could go beyond 90 minutes."

PRE-MATCH STATS

• AC Milan have reached the Coppa Italia quarter-finals in four of their last five appearances at this stage.
• Atalanta have never won in five Coppa Italia matches played away to AC Milan: four defeats, including the last two, and a draw, without ever managing to keep a clean sheet.
• AC Milan have scored in 12 consecutive matches in all competitions and have not recorded a longer streak of goals scored since between November 2020 and January 2021 (14 on that occasion).
• AC Milan have won their last four matches in all competitions at San Siro (three in Serie A and one in the Coppa Italia); the last time the Rossoneri achieved more consecutive home wins, again considering all competitions, dates back to the period between April and September 2022 (seven on that occasion, one of these was against the side from Bergamo).

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN v ATALANTA
In Italy, the game will be broadcast by Canale 5. To watch AC Milan v Atalanta in a different country you can consult the "Where to watch Milan on TV" section under "Abroad". On our Rossoneri channels, the Matchday on Milan TV kicks off its live broadcast at 20:00 CET right up until close to kick-off, with interviews and Coach Pioli's press conference afterwards. From 20:50 CET, there will also be Live Reaction on the AC Milan Twitch channel. Don't miss coverage on acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App and all official social media channels.

LATEST FROM COPPA ITALIA
Marco Di Bello will officiate the game. His last Rossoneri is recent, 25 November in the 1-0 home win at San Siro over Fiorentina. He was also in charge of the game on 3 October 2021, which ended Atalanta 2-3 AC Milan, the only game for him in this fixture. Assisting him will be Valerio Colarossi and Francesca Di Monte, with fourth official Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi. On VAR duty is Paolo Valeri and Antonio Di Martino. 

The quarter-final scheduled started last night with Fiorentina 5-4 (pen.) Bologna, with the winner going through to face AC Milan or Atalanta (Wednesday 10 21:00 CET) to complete the first semi-final clash. On the other side of the draw is the winner of Lazio v Roma (Wednesday 10 at 18:00 CET) and Juventus v Frosinone (Thursday 11 at 21:00 CET). The semi-finals (two legs) will be played in April. 

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