Koopmeiners’ double and an excellent team performance saw Atalanta defeat AC Milan 2-1 at the Meazza stadium to book a place in the 2023-2024 Coppa Italia Frecciarossa semi-finals, where Gasperini’s men will face Fiorentina.
After a Musah effort that Carnesecchi tipped over, the Nerazzurri also had a go when Holm volleyed over. In the 37th minute, De Ketelaere flicked the ball into the path of de Roon, who was denied by Gabbia; although the AC Milan defender did obstruct him, the referee did not point to the spot. After Leao had opened the scoring for AC Milan in the 45th minute, Atalanta responded immediately as Koopmeiners equalised on the stroke of half-time, assisted by Holm.
Koopmeiners threatened again at the start of the second half, with Maignan palming away a Dutchman left-footed shot for a corner. Koopmeiners fired wide on 55 minutes before Atalanta completed their comeback in the 59th minute: Miranchuk was fouled by Jimenez in the area and the referee awarded a penalty, which Koopmeiners converted perfectly to make it 1-2. The Nerazzurri looked to be on the verge of scoring again when De Ketelaere and Éderson were denied by the AC Milan goalkeeper and Miranchuk’s curling effort went just wide of the post. Éderson came close again in the 69th minute when his shot was deflected wide by Musha. Two minutes later, Carnesecchi did well to push Pulisic’s shot out for a corner. The Nerazzurri held off the Rossoneri in the final minutes to book their place in the semi-finals with a 2-1 away win.
MILAN 1-2 ATALANTA
Scorers: Leao 45 (M), Koopmeiners 45+2 (A), Koopmeiners pen 59 (A).
Milan: Maignan, Calabria (Simic 62), Gabbia (Kjaer 39), Hernandez, Musah, Loftus-Cheek (Adli 72), Reijnders (Giroud 72), Jimenez (Terracciano 62), Pulisic, Jovic, Leao.
Unded bench: Nava, Mirante, Romero, Traoré, Zeroli, Bartesaghi.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Scalvini (Hien 86), Djimsiti, Kolašinac, Holm, de Roon (Pašalić 42), Éderson, Ruggeri (Zappacosta 78), Koopmeiners (Muriel 86), Miranchuk, De Ketelaere (Scamacca 78).
Unused bench: Musso, Rossi, Toloi, Palomino, Bakker, Zortea, Adopo.
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referee: Marco Di Bello from Brindisi.
Assistant referees: Valerio Colarossi from Roma 2 and Francesca Di Monte from Chieti.
Fourth official: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi from Livorno.
V.A.R.: Paolo Valeri from Roma 2.
A.V.A.R.: Antonio Di Martino from Teramo.
Notes: Gasperini (A) sent off on 39 minutes after receiving a second yellow card; Hernandez (M), Leao (M), and Éderson (A) were booked.
