Despite 10 changes to the starting XI from the win against Sampdoria at the weekend, AC Milan were still able to beat Sparta Praha 1-0.
The result – with Celtic’s simultaneous win over Lille – means that Milan top Group H and will in theory now get an easier draw in the Round of 32.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) have given their player ratings and unsurprisingly Jens Petter Hauge was awarded Man of the Match with a score of 7 out of 10.
“JP gives another pearl. The best thing is that he invents it out of thin air,” the paper said.
The boss Stefano Pioli received rating 6.5 for managing to win despite the mass changes, while Ciprian Tătărușanu got a 7 for his excellent saves on Ladislav Krejčí and David Moberg Karlsson.
No less than four Rossoneri obtained a score of 6.5, including debutant Pierre Kalulu whose ‘attention was high’, while Diogo Dalot got the same.
“In some moments he seemed like Theo Hernández. Excellent understanding with Hauge down the side. A couple of mistakes on the cover. The one on Karlsson could have cost dearly,” the paper said on Dalot.
On Sandro Tonali, who also got a 6.5: “The most important confirmation of the evening: Sandro is in the ascendant phase and proves it again. He ruled the team wisely.” Samu Castillejo got the same score.
Andrea Conti, Léo Duarte, Rade Krunić, Daniel Maldini and Lorenzo Colombo each scored a 6, while substitute Rafael Leão got a rating of 5.5.
“It’s true, he got Plechatý sent off, but then he did practically nothing and he got into a fight with the ball. However, it remains an important return in perspective,” the paper added.
