AC Milan's Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after a devastating 3-2 home defeat to Atalanta, plunging the Rossoneri deeper into crisis mode. The result leaves Milan level on points with Roma in fourth place, while Juventus has leapfrogged them in the standings.
The warning signs have been flashing for weeks. With just seven points from their last seven matches, Milan's grip on a top-four finish has been slipping, and Saturday's loss at the San Siro only turned those warning lights into a full-blown red alert. The atmosphere was tense even before kick-off, as ultras in the stands staged a protest against CEO Giorgio Furlani, with chants and banners also targeting club patron Gerry Cardinale and other key figures in the Milan hierarchy.
Injuries didn't help the cause. Christian Pulisic was ruled out after suffering a muscular injury during the morning warm-up, joining Luka Modric on the sidelines. With Fikayo Tomori suspended, Santiago Gimenez was handed his first start since October 28. Atalanta, meanwhile, were missing Lorenzo Bernasconi after managing just two points from their last four outings and suffering a Coppa Italia semi-final exit to Lazio.
On a special Mother's Day afternoon, Milan wore jerseys with their mothers' names printed on the back, but the sentimental touch couldn't inspire a turnaround on the pitch. Atalanta struck first in the fourth minute when Ederson drilled a low shot into the far bottom corner from just inside the box, capitalizing after play continued despite Atalanta protests over a shirt-tug on Nikola Krstovic.
The visitors doubled their lead before Milan could even register a touch in the opposition penalty area. Krstovic, with his back to goal, cleverly knocked down a pass from De Ketelaere for Davide Zappacosta, who shrugged off Matteo Gabbia and fired into the far corner. Mike Maignan had already been tested by Nicola Zalewski at the near post, and the Milan goalkeeper was left helpless as the deficit grew.
This defeat leaves Milan in a precarious position. With Champions League qualification now in serious doubt, every remaining match feels like a must-win for a club that started the season with much higher ambitions. For Rossoneri fans, the crisis is no longer a distant threat—it's here, and it's wearing red and black.