Il Milan look for the fourth. Understood as a consecutive victory, but also as a position in the standings given that, in the event of success against Atalanta, the momentary link to Naples would come right close to the podium. This is a key moment for the Rossoneri season: disastrous until a few weeks ago and instead transformed into a positive one after the last month. To make the leap in quality, however, you need to win again and, in this sense, the home match against Atalanta (20.45 pm) offers an excellent opportunity.
“Woe to underestimate the players from Bergamo – warned Mihajlovic, however. – It's a fundamental game and we know how many pitfalls it hides. But we don't have to look at the standings now, let's keep thinking about race after race." The exam is also very important for him, a technician on the brink of the abyss after the defeat against Napoli and forcefully back in the saddle thanks to his ideas. After the "stretched" victories with Sassuolo and Chievo, a very convincing one came in Rome, where the team finally showed game ideas and personality. It remains to be understood whether it was a flash in the pan or if we can really talk about a turning point: one more reason to win tonight, possibly playing well. “We are not perfect now and we weren't scarce before – commented Mihajlovic. – Against Lazio we showed that we also know how to play well and have fun, I'm happy about that. But I repeat: we must continue to work without letting ourselves be influenced too much by external judgements".
However, it is undeniable that the atmosphere around Milan has changed. Mistrust has given way to praise, thanks to some tactical changes that have brought concreteness and greater danger. Tonight however the Serbian coach, despite him, will be forced to change several things. Blame injuries and suspensions, which will deprive him of Alex, Bertolacci and Bonaventura, among the best in recent games. In defense, in front of the now confirmed Donnarumma (Diego Lopez, among other things, suffers from tendinopathy), there will be De Sciglio, Mexes, Romagnoli and Antonelli. In the middle there is another problem for Sinisa, the one relating to Montolivo. The captain, who came out limping from the match against Lazio, has recovered and will therefore be available to him but his conditions are not optimal: De Jong is pawing. This is the only run-off, for the rest it's a forced formation with Poli and Kucka in midfield, Cerci, Bacca and Honda in attack.
The spotlight will be on the Japanese: some of his complaints have not gone unnoticed around Milanello. “That's how it works in football, there are those who play and those who stay out – Mihajlovic's message. – No one is forced to stay here, on the other hand we don't have Maradona or Messi…”. In short, whoever has ears to hear must understand… The mind, however, must be on Reja's Atalanta, a coach that Sinisa has never beaten in the previous 5 in his career (4 defeats and 1 draw). The Bergamo players, returning from the bad defeat in Bologna, will try to stop Milan's run with the usual 4-3-3: Sportiello in goal, Masiello, Stendardo, Paletta and Dramè in defense, Grassi, De Roon and Carmona in midfield, Moralez , Pinilla and Gomez in attack. Silvio Berlusconi's presence in the stands has been announced: this time Mihajlovic hopes that, after the match, the president will only be able to compliment him.
