AC MILAN v ATALANTA: FUN FACTS

AC Milan's February ends as it began, with an important match in the league: at San Siro, Pioli's side awaits Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta, a fixture that in recent seasons has proved important in the context of AC Milan’s season. Ahead of the 24th matchday of Serie A, here are some trends and statistics relating to the game against the Orobici.

DRAW FACTOR
Just over one in three Serie A matches between AC Milan and Atalanta has ended in a draw (44, out of 123 fixtures), but not since 2016/17 have both games between the sides ended in a draw. Pioli's side are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Atalanta: it is the longest streak against them since the six matches played between 2008 and 2012.

CURRENT FORM
The Rossoneri are coming off three consecutive 1-0 victories and are looking for their first streak of four wins this season. AC Milan have also not won four games in a row without conceding a goal since February 2018: there were five then, three in Serie A and two in the Europa League. The situation is different for Atalanta, who have lost three of their last four games played in all competitions after going unbeaten in their first six matches (four wins and two draws) in 2023. The Orobici remain a very formidable opponent, especially since they have the second-best away record in the league this season (24 points from 12 matches).

THINGS IN COMMON
There are several statistical similarities between AC Milan and Atalanta, starting with the goals scored in the second half: 23 and 24 respectively, the third and second highest figures in this Serie A season. The Nerazzurri are the team with the most different goalscorers (17), but the Rossoneri follow closely behind (14, they are third in this ranking). Pioli's side is the one that has made the most direct attacks so far in Serie A (62, ahead of Gasperini's 55). AC Milan and Atalanta are also two of the teams to have conceded the most goals from corners (5 each) and to have scored the fewest (2 for both).

REJUVENATED ROSSONERI BACKLINE
In the last four matches played with the three-man defence - used by Atalanta as well as the Rossoneri's last three opponents - AC Milan are going at an average of 0.7 Expected Goals conceded compared to 1.2 in their first 28 matches of the season. Even better is the figure for the average number of goals conceded, 0.3 per game compared to 1.4; one of the reasons for this change is Malick Thiaw, who in February 2023 is one of the two defenders in Serie A - alongside Napoli's Kim Min-Jae - who have won the most aerial duels (11) and defensive headers (10) in the league.

DUGOUT DUEL
Stefano Pioli has an encouraging record against Gian Piero Gasperini: of 19 previous league fixtures, the Rossoneri coach has won nine (five draws and five defeats), the best record against another coach in the top flight. Pioli's teams have also scored 38 goals against Atalanta in Serie A, more than against any other opponent. Gasperini has 27 previous matches against AC Milan, with an even record: 10 Rossoneri wins, 9 draws and 8 wins for the current Atalanta coach's outfits.

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