AC Milan frustrated in goalless draw with Atalanta

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The respective ambitions of AC Milan and Atalanta took a hit following a goalless draw at San Siro.

A single point means the Rossoneri are six shy of leaders Juventus, who could further increase their advantage in the Serie A title race with victory over second-placed Roma.

Atalanta, meanwhile, have steadied the ship after suffering back-to-back defeats that slowed their charge into the Europa League spots, but they will now fear losing ground to the likes of Fiorentina.

Giacomo Bonaventura's swerving free kick ended up with Juraj Kucka in the eighth minute, the Slovakian smashing just wide from a few metres out.

Rafael Toloi denied Gianluca Lapadula an easy tap-in before the half-hour mark when Luca Antonelli's shot had rebounded to him, and Atalanta replied with a close-range effort from Andrea Petagna.

There was chaos in first-half stoppage time as Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a miraculous save from Roberto Gagliardini's header before Milan raced down the other end to hit a post through Antonelli.

Chances were harder to come by following the restart and it was not until the 77th minute that Lapadula forced Toloi into a desperate goal-line clearance with Marco Sportiello beaten.

Kucka then found himself alone in the area for a free shot on goal that he sent beyond the far post.

Alejandro Gomez led Atalanta's rally with a ball for Toloi that Donnarumma flicked over the bar and Milan substitute Carlos Bacca was only denied a goal by Andrea Conti, who raced back to cover.