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Match - Sun 27 January, 16:00, Atleti Azzurri d'Italia
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 92. Stephen El Shaarawy (28’) |
Milan need to up the ante against Atalanta
Massimiliano Allegri
The match will take place at 16h00 (CAT) on Sunday afternoon with the Atleti Azzurri D’Italia Stadium playing host to the fixture.
Despite remaining undefeated since December 22, Milan haven’t been able to pull off the most convincing of displays in 2013, seeing them narrowly escape with the three points against Siena and Bologna all whilst drawing to the lowly ranked Sampdoria.
Their cause hasn’t been aided by a constantly shuffling backline, due to injury, while poor form from the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Robinho has left Milan lacking in the creative department.
Failure to score in the last three games has put Stephan El Shaarawy’s consistency harshly under the microscope, even if it is his first proper season of regular game time in Serie A, but they could be boosted with the return of Sulley Muntari from injury.
The Ghanaian has had to endure a rough ride with injury, in the past eight months, and is hoping to make his comeback from a spell on the sidelines against Atalanta.
As the Rossoneri sit seven places above Atalanta in the leader board one would favour the visitors to take the points; however, that is rarely the case when traveling to Bergamo.
The margin between the Serie A giants and the minnows, when on home soil at the Atleti Azzurri, often takes a turn in favour of the Bergamaschi, who have impressively turned it into a fortress.
Federico Peluso’s transfer to Juventus has taken a knock to the Nerazzurri’s formation as they lost a stalwart in the wingback position and are yet to see Davide Brivio cope by filling in the void.
Ezequiel Schelotto could also be absent from the set-up, further dampening their mood ahead of the game, nonetheless they will still be out to frustrate the Rossoneri.
The better portion of Milan’s performances often comes in the second half and should Stefano Colantuono be able to devise a way to stun the visitors in the first half, they could well favour their chances of an upset.
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