Afternoon all. So, after a Christmas break, Serie A is now back underway. Here, we will be covering one of the division's biggest names - AC Milan, who play host to Atalanta at the famous San Siro.

Right, the team news has already been released for this one, so let's start with the home side...

MILAN XI: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Zapata, Mexes, Emanuelson; Cristante, De Jong, Nocerino; Kaka; Robinho, Matri

MILAN SUBS: Amelia, Coppola, Zaccardo, Silvestre, Rami, Bonera, Poli, Saponara, Balotelli, Pazzini

So, the big news is that Mario Balotelli starts on the bench for Milan. Reports have claimed that the striker has been suffering with the flu in recent days, so it's surprising that he is involved at all. Elsewhere, there is a first ever start for 18-year-old midfielder Bryan Cristante, while Sulley Muntari is suspended. Those that were excited by the prospect of seeing new signing Keisuke Honda in action will be disappointed because the Japanese international's move has not be finalised in time - he will watch from the stands instead.

And now for the away side...

ATALANTA XI: Consigli; Raimondi, Stendardo, Benalouane, Brivio; Bonaventura, Cigarini, Carmona, Migliaccio; Moralez; Denis

ATALANTA SUBS: Sportiello, Yepes, Giorgi, Baselli, Canini, Del Grosso, Cazzola, Koné, De Luca, Brienza, Livaja, Marilungo

French defender Yohan Benalouane has been included in the Atalanta side following his recent switch from Parma, but that is where the good news ends for visiting coach Stefano Colantuono. He is without a quartet of players, namely Marko Livaja, Giampaolo Bellini, Stefano Lucchini and Lionel Scaloni.

Okay, hands up, who thought that these two sides would go into this fixture with just one point between them at the start of the season?! The fact is, Milan's huge slump has meant that it is indeed the situation. From 17 matches, the hosts have amassed just 19 points. What's more, Atalanta can also take confidence from the fact that the Rossoneri have won just three of their eight Serie A encounters at the San Siro this term.

The away side can also take further heart from the fact that when these two teams last met in Milan in 2012, they ran out 1-0 winners. Luca Cigarini, who scored the only goal of the game, has been included in the Atalanta midfield today.

And, with just a few minutes now until proceedings get underway, here are video highlights of that clash:

It may be a public holiday in Italy, but the San Siro is rather empty right now. I'd go as far as saying that's only around half full! Anyway, the players are now out on the pitch and the handshakes are taking place. Only a couple of minutes until we get started.

GAME ON! The referee blows the whistle for the first time and Atalanta, attacking from left to right in the first half, get this match off and running.

CHANCE! Big opportunity for Robinho, who really should be doing better. Mattia De Sciglio picks him out at the back post with a cross from the right. The Brazilian has time and space, but he opts for a first-time volley, which he sends well wide of the target. That's a waste from the former Manchester City player.

In the last few minutes Atalanta have started to gain a grip on proceedings. It seems that they have identified the full-back area as Milan's weakest link because whenever possible, the ball is being chipped up towards that part of the pitch.

CHANCE! Another wasted opportunity for Milan as they carve open Atalanta for a second time already. Robinho and Marti exchange passes, which sees the latter get to the byline to drill in a cross. Any touch would have surely diverted the ball into the net, but the onrushing Cristante failed to make a clean connection from six yards out.

OFF THE BAR! What a goal that would have been for Milan! Kaka picks out Matri, who in turn frees Robinho down the left flank. Having assessed his options, the attacker sends a cross into the area which is met by Cristante on the half-volley. Consigli in the away goal is static, but he is saved by the crossbar as the ball cannons to safety. It feels as though it's only a matter of time before Milan score.

SUBSTITUTION: An early blow for Atalanta as Carmona limps off with a leg injury. He has been replaced by 21-year-old midfielder Daniele Baselli.

Since Milan struck the bar, Atalanta have actually been the better of the two teams. They are struggling to create too much in terms of chances, but they are keeping possession well.

It really is shocking, although not surprising considering Milan's performance this season, to see the San Siro like this. There are so many empty seats, which means that there is little or no atmosphere. You can hear the players shouting on the pitch!

SAVE! Again it's Milan with the effort, albeit a tame one. Matri attempts to control the ball inside the area, but only succeeds in flicking it forwards. Antonio Nocerino is alert and leaps to head goalwards, but Consigli is waiting to catch with ease.

SAVE! While his last stop was routine, this one was anything but for Consigli. Kaka rolls back the years as he holds off two challenges to weave his way into the penalty area. His shot is low and heading for the bottom corner of the net, but the Atalanta keeper gets down quickly to turn the ball around the upright.

That is a fantastic counter-attack goal from Milan. A lot of the credit should go to Urby Emanuelson, who collected the ball on the edge of his own area and carried it, largely unopposed, all the way to the Atalanta box. He then threaded a pass through for Kaka and as Consigli approached, he slotted the ball into the net from a narrow angle. That's his 100th goal in Milan colours and he celebrates with a shirt to mark the occasion.

Kaka really is playing well today. The 31-year-old is at his creative best and Atalanta can't deal with him at the moment. It's important that they don't concede again before the break otherwise the second half could be a long one.

And here is a picture of that Kaka celebration:

OFF THE POST! Where has that come from?! Atalanta have had a shot and it's a good one as well! Moralez's pass deflects into path of Raimondi and he goes for pure power from 12 yards out. There is plenty of venom in the strike, but it hits the outside of the post. Nevertheless, that's something positive for the visitors to take into the break. Moments later, the fourth official indicates that there will be two minutes of stoppage time.

There goes the whistle for the interval and Milan lead their first encounter of 2014 thanks to Kaka's 100th goal for the club.

In all honesty, Milan are good value for their lead. They've created a handful of openings and if they were two or three goals to the good, it wouldn't flatter them. There seems to be much more desire and hunger about their play - something that was severely lacking for most of 2013.

Atalanta, on the other hand, have offered very little. Although they had spells in possession, they've found it difficult to carve out chances. They will have to change their approach during the second half, otherwise they will lose this encounter without much of a fight. Perhaps Raimondi's shot that hit the post in the closing stages of the first half will give them some confidence.

Perhaps if Milan do go on to add one or two more goals, we might see Adil Rami introduced into the action. The defender is available for the first time following his loan arrival from Spanish side Valencia. Anyway, the players are now heading back on to the pitch, almost time for the second half.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Milan, who hold a one-goal lead, get proceedings restarted in the San Siro.

CHANCE! You would expect much better from German Denis, who has just spurned a great chance to draw Atalanta level. Moralez heads the ball down into the striker's path and presents him with the sort of opportunity that he often converts. On this occasion, though, he fires the ball well over the crossbar. Then, seconds later, Milan striker Marti is booked for a foul on Bonaventura.

DISALLOWED GOAL! The visitors celebrate, but they are soon cut short. Benalouane thinks that he has scored a debut goal after he controls the ball on his chest and scores with a low finish, but the referee blows his whistle. Replays show that he awarded a foul against the Atalanta player for a push on Mexes, but there was minimal contact. A lucky escape for Milan.

All of a sudden, Atalanta are playing a part in this match as an attacking force. They are applying pressure to Milan, who look a little shaky at the back when tested.

SAVE! How are Atalanta not level? Moralez has been lively during the second half and it was he who drilled in a cross for an unmarked Denis. The striker couldn't arrange his feet in time, though, and what looked to be a simple tap-in ended with the ball just rebounding off his leg. Thankfully for Milan, the ball hit goalkeeper Christian Abbiati before being cleared. What a golden chance that was for the away side.

SUBSTITUTION: It's Balotelli time and Milan need him because they are on the ropes right now. He's come on for Matri, who doesn't look too happy to have been replaced.

CHANCE! Atalanta frontman Denis could, and perhaps should, have scored a hat-trick now. Here he races onto a through pass, but then hesitates over his shot, which allows Zapata to come across at the final moment to get in a block. Had he been more decisive there, he probably would have scored.

Atalanta have thrown several punches and having not landed any of them, they are now flat out on the canvas. Balotelli is the creator, holding off two challenges to fire a cross into the area. Robinho is not able to control it, but the ball drops invitingly for Kaka and from six yards out, he was never going to miss the chance to score his 101st goal for the club. That is probably game over.

And now Milan are rubbing salt in the Atalanta wound. What a moment for Cristante as well because this is his first start. The youngster picks the ball up on the edge of the area and drills the ball into the net via the post. It's a great finish and a popular goal among his teammates, who show their support by mobbing him! If victory wasn't secured, it is now.

SAVE! Now it's Balotelli that tries to get in on the act as he beats two defenders to leave himself one-on-one with Consigli. His shot is low, but too close to the Atalanta goalkeeper and he is able to turn away the danger.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Two alterations for Atalanta as De Luca takes Bonaventura's place in the midfield and Benalouane exits in favour of the experienced Franco Brienze. Also coming off for Milan is Robinho, with Andrea Poli entering the action.

SAVE! Consigli is now being made to work overtime. On this occasion he denies Kaka a third goal as he throws himself to his right to tip clear the Brazilian's rising effort. Atalanta, understandably, look a team that are extremely demoralised.

BOOKING! You know that a caution is deserved when the receiver doesn't even bother to argue the decision! Raimondi clearly trips up Balotelli just inside the away team's half and he accepts his punishment, which will see him serve a one-match ban.

SUBSTITUTION: Here comes Rami to make his Milan debut. He has replaced the injured Zapata and his first touch was met by a big cheer from the home faithful. That, and the scoreline, should settle down any nerves that he has.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this contest.

There goes the final whistle and other than a shaky start to the second half, it's a routine victory for AC Milan - their first at the San Siro since the middle of October. It's also moved them up to 10th in the standings.

That's all we have time for from the San Siro. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.