In a thrilling encounter at the Gewiss Stadium, Atalanta triumphed over AC Milan with a 2-1 victory, marking their ninth consecutive win in Serie A. The match was highlighted by Charles De Ketelaere’s opening goal, a classic “goal of the ex,” as he scored against his former club.
De Ketelaere broke the deadlock just before the 15-minute mark, heading in a well-delivered free kick from Marten de Roon. He outjumped Milan’s Theo Hernandez to make his mark on the game, showcasing his aerial prowess. This was not De Ketelaere’s first notable performance against Milan; during last season’s matchup, he provided an assist in a thrilling 3-2 victory for Atalanta.
After the match, De Ketelaere reflected on his goal and the significance of the victory, stating, “It has a special flavor, against my former club. I am happy; it was important to win.” He expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities moving forward, saying, “We have the confidence to win every match, even against this strong Milan. We are playing well.”
When questioned about a potential foul on Theo Hernandez during the buildup to his goal, De Ketelaere dismissed the notion: “That is never a foul.”
He also discussed his evolution since joining Atalanta, noting the change in mentality and playing style. “I have been in Italy for an additional year and now I play further forward; I feel freer to make an impact,” he explained.
Milan responded shortly after De Ketelaere’s goal when Álvaro Morata equalized in the 22nd minute, finishing off a cross from Rafael Leao. However, it was Atalanta who ultimately sealed the win late in the match. In the 87th minute, Ademola Lookman scored the decisive goal with a header from a corner flicked on by Sead Kolasinac.