In a method for controlling shifting in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an automatic transmission, intermediate gas is automatically applied for reducing and/or compensating for an abrupt shift when downshifting. In a first phase, wherein the transmission is in the hydraulic down time thereof, the actual torque provided by the engine is slowly increased, until a torque required by the transmission is achieved. Subsequently, in a second phase, wherein the actual torque of the engine is less than the target torque, a throttle valve is opened further. In a subsequent third phase, in which the actual torque of the engine has achieved the target torque required for synchronization, a late ignition angle is set.