Gonçalo Ramos opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Adrien Rabiot doubled Milan’s advantage just before half-time. Mario Gila added a third after the restart, putting the hosts in a commanding position.
However, Gianluca Gaetano and Nikola Krstović pulled two goals back for Atalanta, setting up a nervy finish before Milan managed to hold on for all three points.
The result moved Milan provisionally into fourth place with 15 points after seven league matches.
Ramos and Rabiot put Milan in control
Milan started with confidence and looked to impose their attacking game on Atalanta from the opening minutes.
Christian Pulisic thought he had given the hosts an early lead in the 13th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Atalanta threatened at the other end, with Krstović missing a promising opportunity after getting past goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Milan eventually broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. After a handball inside the penalty area was identified following a VAR review, Ramos stepped forward and calmly converted from the spot to put the Rossoneri ahead.
The hosts continued to press and doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute. Rabiot received a pass from Moreira, created space for himself and fired a low shot past Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Milan went into the interval with a deserved 2-0 lead after an impressive first-half display.
Gila makes it three after the break
Milan resumed the second half on the front foot, with Samuel Chukwueze and Pulisic both threatening to extend the advantage.
Ramos had an opportunity to score his second goal when Milan were awarded another penalty following a VAR review for a handball offence. This time, however, Carnesecchi guessed correctly and saved the spot-kick.
Milan quickly recovered from the missed opportunity and scored their third goal in the 57th minute.
Luka Modrić delivered a corner into the penalty area, Rabiot flicked the ball on with a header and Gila finished from close range to make it 3-0.
At that point, Milan appeared firmly in control, but Atalanta were not ready to surrender.
Atalanta launch late comeback
Atalanta began to find more space as the second half progressed and reduced the deficit in the 66th minute.
Zalewski set up Gaetano, who timed his run well before curling a left-footed finish into the corner of the net.
The goal gave the visitors renewed belief, and they continued to push forward in search of another breakthrough.
Their pressure paid off again in the 81st minute when Krstović met Raoul Bellanova’s cut-back and fired a first-time finish beyond Maignan to make it 3-2.
Suddenly, Milan’s comfortable three-goal advantage had been reduced to just one, leaving the home side under significant pressure during the closing stages.
Maignan produced an important save to deny Davide Zappacosta, while Carnesecchi kept out a late effort from Ardon Jashari at the other end.
Despite Atalanta’s determined attempts to find an equaliser, Milan held firm through the closing minutes to secure the victory.
Milan maintain momentum under Amorim
The win was an important response from Milan following their 1-1 draw against Sassuolo in the previous league match.
Ruben Amorim’s side showed their attacking quality during the first hour, with Ramos, Rabiot and Gila all finding the net. However, the late collapse in their defensive control will provide the coaching staff with areas to address.
Rabiot was particularly influential, scoring once and helping create the opportunity for Gila’s goal, while Maignan’s late interventions proved crucial in protecting the result.
For Atalanta, the comeback demonstrated their determination, but their slow start ultimately left them with too much work to do.
Milan will now turn their attention to their upcoming European fixture before returning to domestic action against Udinese.
Match details
• Competition: Serie A
• Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
• Venue: San Siro, Milan
• Full-time result: AC Milan 3-2 Atalanta
• AC Milan: Gonçalo Ramos 24' (pen), Adrien Rabiot 43', Mario Gila 57'
• Atalanta: Gianluca Gaetano 66', Nikola Krstović 81'
• Half-time score: AC Milan 2-0 Atalanta
• Milan's league position: Fourth, with 15 points