Sarri praises Atalanta fightback despite 3-2 Milan defeat, questions Rabiot red card decision
Atalanta mounted a second-half comeback against AC Milan but fell short in a 3-2 Serie A defeat at San Siro, according to Football Italia. Manager Maurizio Sarri acknowledged the positive response from his side after they trailed 3-0, saying the fightback could boost their self-belief. Goncalo Ramos, Adrien Rabiot and Mario Gila had put Milan in control, with Marco Carnesecchi denying another Ramos penalty.
Substitute Gianluca Gaetano transformed the contest, scoring and setting up Nikola Krstovic's goal to give Atalanta hope of an unlikely draw. A Mike Maignan save prevented Davide Zappacosta from levelling the match in the closing stages. Sarri admitted his team lacked pressing intensity early on but felt the first genuinely threatening move belonged to Atalanta.
The Atalanta boss raised concerns about refereeing decisions, claiming Rabiot should have received a red card for insulting the referee. Sarri also disputed Milan's two penalty awards for handling offences, whilst noting that Atalanta's own handball appeal involving Koni De Winter was rejected. He suggested incidents went against his team during the match.
