AC Milan started the season in the best way possible yesterday as they managed to beat Udinese by four goals to two. Several players did well and a few of them really responded to the critics, such as Brahim Diaz.
The Spaniard has been heavily criticised ever since the end of last year, failing to register a single point (goal or assist) since December of 2021. It was the perfect opportunity for him yesterday, in other words, and boy did he take it.
Today’s edition of Gazzetta Dello Sport (via SempreMilan) analysed the player performances and rewarded Diaz with the MOTM award, with the motivation that he was involved in all four goals in one way or another. It earned him a 7.5/10.
Ante Rebic, the other protagonist with a brace, was given a 7/10 along with Davide Calabria who won the penalty and also assisted a goal. Ismael Bennacer was a motor in the centre of the pitch and also got a 7 from the newspaper.
The likes of Pierre Kalulu, Theo Hernandez, Rade Krunic and Charles De Ketelaere did more than alright as they got a 6.5. The latter made his official debut for the club and certainly showed promising signs.
Finally, Mike Maignan, Fikayo Tomori, Rafael Leao, Alexis Saelemaekers and Olivier Giroud passed the test at 6. Tommaso Pobega and Divock Origi didn’t play enough to get a rating. Junior Messias was the flop of the game at 5.5, making a huge error on Udinese’s second goal.
Messias the flop? What game do these people watch. He was the one who fought for the possession for Brahim to make the assist, and he made a dangerous pinpoint cross that Leao didn’t finish.
Messias definitely wasn’t the flop. I’d say Salamaekers was if anything.
Revic as a false 9 is great. In pair with Diaz who “never forgives mistakes” they are create a lot of opportunities. It is like having two AMF instead of 1.