Midweek Serie A showdown in Bergamo between two disciplined, low-block sides — Juric’s unbeaten Atalanta and Allegri’s resilient Milan.
Juric: More Gasp or Max? – The midweek round features Juric’s Atalanta taking on Allegri’s Milan, and while many might see it as a clash between two very different football philosophies, the numbers actually tell a different story. This first version of Juric’s Atalanta might resemble Allegri’s style more than that of his mentor, Gasperini.
The ninth-round opener pits two teams that have conceded just six goals so far — trailing only Roma (3) and Como (5). Offensively, Atalanta have scored 12 (fifth-best attack), while Milan have 13 (third-best).
The Bergamaschi remain the only unbeaten team in Serie A, but their four consecutive draws have slowed them down, leaving them five points behind Milan’s 17. The Rossoneri aren’t unbeaten, but they haven’t lost since that early-season slip-up in August against Cremonese.
Low Block and “Light” Pressing – Both sides start from a three-man backline: Atalanta in a 3-4-1-2, Milan in a 3-5-2. Through the first eight matches, both have relied on compact defensive shapes and patient buildup through midfield before breaking forward quickly with numbers in transition.
- Atalanta’s defensive line is the third-deepest in Serie A, averaging 42.3 meters from goal; Milan’s is fourth at 43.8. Only Cagliari and Cremonese sit deeper.
- In Field Tilt (percentage of possession in the attacking third), Atalanta rank 8th and Milan 15th — the lowest figures among the league’s top sides.
- Atalanta lead Serie A in completed touches in their own defensive third, while Milan build more through the central areas (4th in Serie A). Both, however, see limited possession in the attacking third.
- Juric and Allegri rank 12th and 13th respectively in touches allowed to opponents in their own defensive third — all the other top clubs have allowed fewer.
These stats confirm what’s visible on the pitch: both teams keep a low defensive block, maintain conservative possession, and look to trigger counterattacks once the press arrives.
- Both rank fourth in Serie A for counterattacks per match (1.25).
The Difference – So far, the two sides look similar, but their approach to achieving the same goals diverges sharply. Juric’s team drops deep, then aggressively presses within their own half, relying on ball recoveries to launch attacks. Allegri’s side, meanwhile, defends positionally and relies on its players’ strong ball-carrying ability and athleticism to spring forward.
- Atalanta rank second in Serie A for ball recoveries (335), behind only Roma; Milan are 16th (276).
- Milan have allowed the most completed crosses into their box (25), while Atalanta have conceded just 14.
- Modric and Pavlovic rank first and second in Serie A for successful ball carries and second and third for total progressive distance with the ball.
Another data point showing their philosophical divide is in turnovers near their own box. Atalanta risk quick vertical passes out of defense, while Milan favor safer exits:
- Atalanta rank 19th in turnovers near their own area (only Genoa are worse), while Milan are 4th.
Milan’s Build-Up Play – Modric is by far the Serie A player with the most completed passes (529; Di Lorenzo is next with 478). Almost everything in Milan’s build-up runs through the Croatian, who constantly connects with the three center-backs before seeking out the wingbacks or strikers. Milan’s strength also lies in the versatility of players like Saelemaekers and Leão (and previously Pulisic before his injury), who can receive the ball to feet and use their technique, or in space to exploit their pace — always opting for the safer, higher-percentage play rather than risky creativity.
Atalanta’s Build-Up Play – Juric’s system runs heavily through his central midfielders, especially with Scalvini sidelined — a player who, when fit, plays a key role in Atalanta’s buildup. The midfielders tend to stay deep, combine with the back three, and then look to switch play quickly or launch direct vertical passes toward the wings or strikers.
Weaknesses – Milan have shown real potential, but when forced to take the initiative, they often look less secure — leaving space behind and producing inconsistent results, as seen against Cremonese and Pisa.
Atalanta have scored 12 goals, but seven of them came in just two games — their only wins. In the other six matches, they’ve never scored more than once and never earned more than a point. The team looks balanced but struggles to be decisive up front; when they score first, they can’t kill the game off, and lacking defensive solidity, they often get pegged back when opponents raise the tempo.
Conclusion – Atalanta could struggle to find the net against Milan’s solid backline, while the Rossoneri have the kind of players who can really hurt the Bergamaschi. Still, as always in these matches, one play can change everything — and if Atalanta were to take the lead, it could get very complicated for Milan, given the hosts’ speed and danger in transition.
