AC Milan suffered a damaging 3–2 home defeat against Atalanta in a dramatic Serie A clash at San Siro, significantly complicating their fight for a Champions League place with only two rounds remaining. The visitors from Bergamo shocked Milan early and raced into a three-goal lead before surviving a late comeback attempt from the hosts in a chaotic finish filled with VAR drama and stoppage-time tension. Atalanta's Marco Carnesecchi was the standout performer, earning a match rating of 8.7. Atalanta made the perfect start in the seventh minute when Éderson reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the area and fired a precise finish past Mike Maignan to silence the San Siro crowd. Milan struggled to respond as Atalanta continued to threaten with quick transitions and aggressive pressing. The visitors doubled their advantage in the 29th minute following a well-worked attacking move. Charles De Ketelaere initiated the attack before Nikola Krstović delivered a dangerous ball across goal for Davide Zappacosta, who converted from close range to make it 2–0. Milan left the pitch at halftime to loud whistles from their supporters, and things became even worse shortly after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Marten de Roon won possession in midfield before Éderson released Giacomo Raspadori, who powered a left-footed strike into the net for Atalanta’s third goal of the evening. The Rossoneri finally began to react after falling 3–0 behind. Christopher Nkunku came close midway through the second half, but Marco Carnesecchi produced an excellent save to deny the Frenchman. Minutes later, Nkunku struck the crossbar as Milan desperately searched for a way back into the contest. The home side thought they had reduced the deficit in the 81st minute when Niclas Füllkrug found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Milan eventually sparked hope late in the match. Serbian defender Strahinja Pavlović rose highest from a free-kick in the 88th minute to score and cut the deficit to 3–1. Deep into stoppage time, Milan were awarded a penalty after De Roon fouled Nkunku inside the box. Following a VAR check, the decision stood, and Nkunku calmly converted from the spot in the 94th minute to make it 3–2. However, there was not enough time left for a dramatic equaliser. Despite Milan dominating possession and registering 19 shots during the match, Atalanta’s clinical finishing proved decisive. The defeat leaves AC Milan fifth in the Serie A standings on 67 points and puts serious pressure on their Champions League ambitions, while Atalanta move up to seventh place with 58 points after a huge away victory.