Another trophy slips away from AC Milan! USMNT stars Christian Pulisic & Yunus Musah unable to save Rossoneri in Coppa Italia quarterfinal exit to Atalanta

Posted Thursday, January 11, 2024 by Goal.com

Yunus Musah continued his return from injury with a decent shift in midfield, but Milan's Coppa Italia hopes came crashing down in a loss to Atalanta.

WHAT HAPPENED?
After a fairly tepid start, the game ignited in first-half stoppage time as the two sides exchanged goals. Milan's came in the 45th minute through Rafael Leao, who took advantage of a bombing run forward from Theo Hernandez to seize the lead for the hosts.

The advantage, though, lasted just two minutes before Atalanta found their response. Teun Koopmeiners capped a fantastic move from the visitors in the second minute of stoppage time, leaving both teams level heading into the locker room.

Koopmeiners would strike again to break the deadlock in the second 45, scoring from the spot in the 59th minute. It was a lead they'd never relinquish, even with Milan making a late push at San Siro. There was still time for Milan's Angelo Mirante to be sent off in added time for dissent as Atalanta ultimately held strong, booking their spot in the Coppa Italia semifinals.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
With the loss, Milan's hopes of winning the trophy were dashed as they fell at the quarterfinal hurdle. This comes after they failed to advance from the Champions League 'group of death', finishing third and falling into the Europa League playoff round.

Milan remain very much alive in Serie A, though, but they'll need a strong second half of the season if they are to claim the title with Inter and Juventus setting the pace at the top.

As for Atalanta, they book a spot in the semifinal round, where they'll face Fiorentina. Lazio awaits in the other semifinal, with Juventus and Frosinone battling on Thursday for the right to be the fourth and final team to advance.

USMNT IMPACT
With the start, Musah was named to Milan's starting XI for the first time since early December, having recently dealt with a muscle problem that kept him out of action for most of the holiday season. He returned for a cameo in this past weekend's 3-0 win over Empoli before putting in a decent shift in the Milan midfield in this return to the lineup.

Musah had a few chances, particularly one early, but was unable to put any of his three shots into the back of the net.

Pulisic, meanwhile, had one good look late on, but his 70th-minute effort was saved before a shot moments later was blocked and cleared away. Of the two, it was Musah who stood out, which can be seen as a positive sign as he looks to battle back into the Milan XI after recovering from his injury issues. However, his lack of precision in front of goal was an obvious negative as Musah had a few chances to make a difference but failed to take them.

Tactically, Pulisic tucked in for large stretches of the game with Musah drifting out wide, playing off Stefano Pioli's recent comments that Pulisic could play as more of a trequartista.

GOAL'S RATINGS
Christian Pulisic (5/10):

Never quite got going. Created a few decent chances late on and made things happen off the dribble, but Milan needed a bit more from him here.

Yunus Musah (6/10):

Not quite crisp, but you can't fault the effort. Created a few chances, passed the ball well and had a few good moments defensively. Not a perfect performance, but a good start for a player just returning to the field.

WHAT COMES NEXT?
Currently third in Serie A through the first half of the season, Milan's focus will have to quickly turn back toward league play as they play host to Roma on Sunday, looking to keep pace with Juventus and league-leaders Inter at the summit of the Italian top flight.