Milan vs Atalanta preview: Pulisic out, Leao and Gimenez must carry the load

AC Milan go into the Atalanta game without Christian Pulišić, and the timing is awkward. Milan have taken just seven points from as many Serie A rounds, Santiago Giménez is making his first start since October 28, when Milan drew 1-1 with Atalanta in Bergamo, and Rafael Leão is again the main attacking outlet.

How Milan's attack has been reshaped

Pulišić pulled out this morning with a gluteal strain, so Milan's plans now lean heavily on Leão and Giménez. The report from Football Italia puts it plainly: “Milan in crisis miss Christian Pulisic, so Santiago Gimenez partners Rafael Leao upfront against Atalanta’s Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere.”

That leaves Milan with less margin in a game that matters to their place in the table. They are fourth in Serie A and have 67 points from 35 matches, while their last five league results read LDWLL. Leão's workload is obvious too, with 26 Serie A appearances and a 6.94 average rating this season.

Leão will have to be the release valve more often than Milan would like. Giménez gets his first start since October 28, and that is a useful lift for a side that has not looked settled in recent weeks.

Atalanta are not arriving in top shape either

Atalanta have not exactly surged into this one. Football Italia's preview noted that they are “struggling too and practically out of the race for European qualification after just two points in their last four Serie A games, plus Coppa Italia semi-final elimination to Lazio.”

Their recent league sequence is DLDLW, which tells the same story in simpler form. Charles De Ketelaere's 7.5 rating in his most recent match suggests there is still quality in the side, and Giacomo Raspadori gives them another threat for Milan to worry about.

Even so, the main issue in this preview is Milan's attack without Pulišić. If AC Milan want to protect their position, they need Leão to carry a bigger share again and Giménez to make that first start count.