Raffaele Palladino believes he has conjured up something special at Atalanta, calling their thrilling 3-2 win over AC Milan "magic" — but admits he's still uncertain about his long-term future with the club.
The victory at the San Siro was a dramatic turnaround for La Dea, who arrived in Milan on the back of a worrying run: just two points from four Serie A matches and a painful Coppa Italia semifinal exit to Lazio on penalties. The pressure was mounting, but Palladino's side responded in emphatic fashion.
Atalanta stormed into a commanding 3-0 lead by the 52nd minute, with goals from Ederson, Davide Zappacosta, and Giacomo Raspadori lighting up the iconic stadium. It was a statement performance — sharp, aggressive, and full of intent. But football has a way of keeping you humble. A header from Strahinja Pavlovic and a Christopher Nkunku penalty in the closing stages made it a nervy finish, the final score settling at 3-2.
Speaking to DAZN Italia after the match, Palladino couldn't hide his pride. "This evening I must thank the lads — they put in a great performance, risking practically nothing in the first half," he said. "I said it in the dressing room, but I want to say it publicly: this was the response of a great squad working in the same direction. They received some criticism this week, but gave their answer on the field."
He acknowledged the tense finale with a mix of frustration and relief. "It's a pity about the closing minutes — we deserved to be 3-0 up. But Milan threw strikers on, scored from a set piece and a penalty. It was good to win even when suffering."
The result lifts Atalanta to a solid seventh place in Serie A, a position that would secure Conference League qualification — but only if Lazio lose the Coppa Italia Final to Inter on Wednesday. It's a far cry from the heights Atalanta fans have grown accustomed to in recent years, but given the dire state of affairs when Palladino took over from Ivan Juric, it represents real progress.
"A real magic has been created between me and these players," Palladino said, his voice carrying a mix of hope and uncertainty. "I hope the club appreciates my work."
For now, the magic is alive at Atalanta — and their fans will be hoping it lasts long beyond this season.