Atalanta are setting their sights on the top of Serie A as they prepare to face AC Milan on Friday night, with a chance to claim the top spot, albeit temporarily, before Napoli's match against Lazio on Sunday. Currently just a point behind leaders Napoli, Atalanta are on an impressive 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions, including a historic Europa League triumph, and are eager to secure their ninth consecutive win in Serie A, a club record.

Under Gian Piero Gasperini, in his ninth season as coach, Atalanta have blossomed into title challengers, a far cry from their previous best finish of third in Serie A between 2019 and 2021. The team boasts the league's best attacking force, with 36 goals scored already, and has been in excellent form, including a dominant 2-0 win over Roma on Monday.

A victory against AC Milan would move Atalanta to the top of the table, even if temporarily, while simultaneously equaling their club-record of wins in Serie A. Atalanta's transformation since their 2019 Champions League quarterfinals appearance, where they came close to beating Paris Saint-Germain, has been remarkable. The Gewiss Stadium, now fully renovated and owned by the club, is a testament to their progress.

Milan, on the other hand, are 10 points behind Napoli, though they have a game in hand. They will be looking to extend their recent good form, having won their last three matches, including a 6-1 victory over Sassuolo in the Italian Cup. The key player for Milan will be Tijjani Reijnders, who is in stellar form, with seven goals this season, including a brace in his last Serie A match against Empoli.

The match is pivotal for both sides, with Inter Milan also looking to keep pace as they face Parma on Friday, and Fiorentina hosting Cagliari on Sunday. The weekend's fixtures promise a thrilling continuation of the Serie A season.