AC Milan made it five wins on the spin yesterday against Hellas Verona, winning 3-1 at the Stadio Bentegodi to open up a three-point gap over Juventus.
Theo Hernandez got the opening goal not long before the break then Christian Pulisic doubled the advantage early in the second half. Noslin scored for Verona to cause a few jitters, but Samuel Chukwueze’s volley off the bench clinched another important victory.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) has their ratings from the game, starting with the overall performance which got a 7 out of 10 and Stefano Pioli’s management which scored half a mark less.
The best player on the field for Milan was Theo Hernandez who as mentioned got the first goal. He was given a 7.5, while Fikayo Tomori was the one who struggled the most and thus scored a 5.5
Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor both did well to earn a score of 7, while Mike Maignan, Ismael Bennacer and Tijjani Reijnders had positive afternoons too to get a 6.5.
Davide Calabria, Pierre Kalulu, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao each got a score of 6, while off the bench Matteo Gabbia received a 6.5 but Olivier Giroud and Yunus Musah both struggled to make much of an impact and thus were handed a 5.5.
The paper version seem to have forgotten Samuel Chukwueze’s score, but on the website they have given him a 7 out of 10 after his magnificent volley.
People need to give Chukwueze a break, its preposteorus to talk bout selling him. He has shown glimpses of class. Anyone who can come off the bench and score as he did against Newcastle under high pressure has what it takes. He needs another season at least.
Okafor should get more time a CF, why buy two (if Giroud goes) when we have one already. I also think he is a striker who will raise the games of others, a bit like Firmino did.
I have no problem with giving Chukwueze another season before fully judging him but he has been extremely poor this season showing next-to-nothing. That goal does not erase past performances. That said, it is only right to give him more time to settle in given his absence during the African Cup and his limited minutes.
Chuk has been mediocre this season no doubt, but he hasn’t received anywhere near the chances we gave CDK. In fact, I haven’t checked, but if you look at Chukuweze’s stats per minute I assume they aren’t that bad.
He definitely needs/deserves more time, as the talent is clearly there. Clearly not a Leao twin, but the talent is definitely there. And we need a dribbler who can attract a double team on the right side as well. Pulisic, as fantastic and amazing as he has been for us this season, doesn’t seem to be that type of RW.
the thing about Puli is that he puts in the work and is very versatile. Goals and assists are one thing, which Puli has but i think what separates him from chuck is that Puli helps a lot in defense AND in the midfield. Chuck might well be a lot better in the final 3rd of the pitch but notice when our mid struggles, plenty of times Puli comes down to get the ball and help progressing it up. Also, puli moves around, sometimes he’s close to RLC in the midfield, sometimes he pushes closer to the left etc. He may not be as talented RW as chuck but he is far more versatile. That is his advantage over Chuck.
Chukwueze has a good attitude and understands that Pulisic cannot be dropped given his form. So he’s apparently working hard in training, as evidenced by the outpouring of congratulations from his teammates after his goal.
He’s just SO one footed though, which is so obvious after watching how good Pulisic is with BOTH feet, frequently scoring and crossing with his “weaker” left. And those runs into the box just make him so dangerous.