AC MILAN v ATALANTA: THE DEBRIEFING

An in-depth analysis of the 1-1 draw in AC Milan v Atalanta at San Siro, looking beyond the simple final result: Leão's goal, the team's reaction, the current climate and the league campaign. Here's our Debriefing for matchday 26:

WELCOME BACK, RAFA!
Finally. After five months, Leão got back on the scoresheet in Serie A. And he did in style, finishing off a great piece of individual play with a wonderful right-footed strike. From Hellas Verona to Atalanta, always at San Siro. It's a goal (his 50th in Europe's top-five leagues and his 42nd in Italy) that was clearly liberating, as seen by the Portuguese's body language in celebration and his all-round general performance. The goal certainly helped his team out, but first of all to a player who, despite constantly playing without ever losing his special role in terms of strength and characteristics, kept on searching for a Serie A goal after his success in the Europa League. He likes playing against the side from Bergamo, having already netted against them in the Coppa Italia this year. It was probably the best news to come out of the evening for the Rossoneri, in what is an intense and important period. Leão has kept believing, trying and being involved; the work has now paid off.

A POSITIVE TEAM PERFORMANCE
A bittersweet draw, but the point still has weight and meaning. AC Milan have certainly shown that they have recovered from some uncertainty seen between Monza and Stade Rennais, following a convincing display. The collective was better than Atalanta, creating and deserving much more. The penalty episode had a negative impact. Plus, an extra bit of intent and accuracy in front of the goal are aspects that prevented us from striking against the opposition more than once; work needs to be done in this regard. If the point moves first and second place further away, and bringing Bologna closer, it is also true that it keeps Atalanta - a difficult and in-form rival - seven points behind us and to be kept at bay in the final part of the league campaign in the chase for Champions League qualification. And it also keeps up a positive trend in big home matches: Roma, Napoli and now Atalanta, have seen no slipups.

FROM THIAW TO ADLI: BOUNCING BACK
Two individuals to single out: Thiaw and Adli. We're talking about them due to some media coverage about certain players after the game with Monza. We, without wanting any revenge in the face of some unpleasant criticism, want to underline the reaction of Malick and Yacine, in particular. The German was impeccable in marking De Ketelaere, remaining alert and solid - paired together with the now guaranteed Gabbia - when Gasperini changed his attacking front; a clear and natural performance growth after a long time being out. The Frenchman was everywhere, making a perfectly-timed challenge in the first half, and was very good at linking up the play, often dropping deeper to receive the ball and passing around creatively and crisply. In the midfield battle, he not only withstood La Dea's determination, but asserted his authority.

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