Title is AC Milan's only aim: Tonali

Midfielder helps Serie A side stay on the heels of Napoli after 3-2 win over Atalanta

MILAN:

Sandro Tonali said Sunday that the Serie A title is AC Milan's only goal for the season after he helped the Rossoneri stay in touch with leaders Napoli in a 3-2 win at Atalanta which underlines their Scudetto credentials.

Milan came out on top in a frenetic encounter to stay two points behind Napoli, whose 2-1 win at Fiorentina was their seventh in as many games so far this season, after a nervy ending in Bergamo which saw Atalanta pull back two late goals after going three down with 12 minutes remaining.

And asked by DAZN if he remembered Milan winning the league in 2003-04, the last time they had 19 points from their first seven games, the 21-year-old said: "No, I really was young back then".

But then he added: "We don't talk about these things but it (the league title) is the only aim Milan have this season."

Having heard Tonali speak while waiting for his own interview, Milan coach Stefano Pioli praised the midfielder for his positive attitude as he delighted in his team's victory.

"We played really well with intensity, energy and quality. It's a brilliant end to a difficult set of fixtures and the team is improving both in Serie A and the Champions League," said Pioli.

There are signs that a three-way title race is taking shape with Inter Milan a further two points back in third, while Roma are also lurking in fourth on 15 points following their 2-0 win over Empoli earlier on Sunday.

Tonali was one of Milan's best performers at the Gewiss Stadium and, after captain Davide Calabria had put the away side ahead with just 28 seconds on the clock, he made the most of goalkeeper Mike Maignan holding Atalanta at bay when he doubled Milan's lead two minutes from half-time with his second goal of the season.

Milan kept a lid on Atalanta and should have added to their lead through Alexis Saelemaekers before Rafael Leao did curl home the third in the 78th minute.