AC Milan started tonight’s game against Atletico Madrid in the best way possible with a goal from Rafael Leao. In the end, though, they lost as they were forced to play with ten men for most of the game.
Starting XI
Maignan (6): In truth, the Frenchman didn’t really have that much to do throughout the game. His distribution was solid as always and he made a few good stops. You can’t blame him for any of the goals.
Calabria (6.5): Positive display from the vice-captain, not only at right-back but also in midfield. He held up his end of the bargain and it’s shame that Milan conceded two goals in the end.
Tomori (7): He was an absolute beast at the back his evening as he made several key interceptions, as well as clearances. He neutralised the Atletico attackers throughout the game and he can’t be faulted for the goals either.
Romagnoli (6): Overall, the captain did a good job at the back but lost his man on Atletico’s first goal. Although that was more the result of another player’s error (which we will get to), he perhaps could’ve done better.
Hernandez (6): He had a few good attacking runs and he was actually quite solid at the back this evening. A positive display but his attacking stunts didn’t really result in anything, which was unlucky.
Bennacer (7): It was a fantastic performance from the Algerian in the middle as he not only kept the ball in Milan’s possession, but also distributed it very well. He made several interceptions and was everywhere really.
Kessie (5): He didn’t have huge success prior to the red card, hence the rating. The second yellow was indeed very harsh, but the first foul was an incredibly clumsy one. We rarely see Franck commit such fouls. He must improve.
Saelemaekers (6.5): It was another good display from the Belgian who mostly was focused on defensive work this evening, due to the red card. He did that incredibly well on the right flank and the difference was noticeable when he came off.
Diaz (7.5 – MOTM): He was able to get out of almost every situation and it was perhaps his best display this season. He got the assist for Leao and it was a shame that they couldn’t continue to attack after the red card.
Leao (7.5): Great strike to get the opener for Milan and he nearly doubled it with a fantastic bicycle kick. Unfortunately, and also understandable so, he got very isolated in the second half and couldn’t do much.
Rebic (6): Big improvement from what we saw against Spezia, which frankly was awful. He was much more involved tonight but perhaps could’ve done better on the one-on-on with Oblak, although the latter made a great save.
Substitutes
Tonali (6.5): He did very well when he got the ball and was also very solid in defence. Let’s hope the knock he picked up won’t bug him on the weekend, because Milan will need him then.
Ballo-Toure (6): He did well at the back and couldn’t do much when Milan got forward. Hard to put a rating, really, but he wasn’t bad.
Giroud (6): The same goes for the Frenchman, it’s very hard to rate him given what he had to work with. Brought the ball down a few times and held it up. But it wasn’t enough in the end.
Kalulu (6): The penalty against him was extremely harsh given the distance to the ball. His rating would’ve been lower if it wasn’t for more than one good interception on the right flank.
Florenzi (5.5): He completely lost his man on Atletico’s first goal and that was very defining. He came close with a volley effort but that mistake cost Milan dearly in the end.
READ MORE – AC Milan 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Bizarre refereeing decisions cost 10-man Rossoneri
Rebic?
We would have won IF Leao remained on the pitch.
Yes
True. When he was on the pitch he was covered by two-three Atletico players. Which was like playing 10×10. Those sub doesn’t make sense. Especially letting Giroud in.
5 for Kessie is very generous
2 for Kessie is very generous.
I dont know the lowest rating you can give but thats about what kessie deserves this entire start of the season. And he wants 8 mil/ season.
i dont care if he leaves for free just stop using him..
Yes again
Substitutes were panicking ones. It could be better to keep Leao. Two or even three Atletico players had been tied to him and it gave less sense that we were playing 10 men only.
The referee adding 6 minutes to a 10×11 game is definitely an Atletico fan.
Kessie must leave the team. He spoiled two UCL games in a row, and keeps ruining our Serie A fixtures as well.
Do we still need to constantly use Kessie despite his costly blunders in almost every game this season??!!! He is not with us anymore! Kessie out!!!!!!😡
l so hate him with passion now He no longer wanna play for the team….pioli should stop using him #KESSIEOUT
Kessie should be bench sisnce the start of the season! Don’t get why Pioli keep playing him… This is the result. Milan was excellent the first half, excellent. After the expulsion of kessie, all went down.
Thank you Kessie, you lost my respect
Kessie should be benched. His focusless attitude really cost us over and over again.
Proud of the other boys
Shame on you refs.
This will make us even more solid and angry. We will win game against inter and we will sweep 4 Last ucl games
The referee and Kessie ruined everything, it’s a bitter result. We are right to be mad.
But we need not to forget the performance not only of the first 30min but entire 1st half.
I mean, bloody hell, it was an incredible performance. Leao and Brahim were dazzling. I was (still am) so proud and hopeful of the football the team played in the 1st half.
Pioli better get this straight out! Or he can go with kessi! I see him just above average coach
I’m proud of the boys but I have lost all respect for Kessie, I don’t know why Pioli started him.
Sorry for my language, bit those ratings are baloney – the team absolutely worked their socks off – heroes every one. Tonali in particular was everywhere, doing everything, Saelemaekers, Tomori, Hernandez, Calabria… those were outstanding performances and their ratings are only lower due to a result that was very much outside their control.
Ballo-Toure 6 ? You can’t be serious guys, this dude lost every ball he had, he is a terrible player. He deserves no more than 2.
I agree, he should never be in the team.
Nah man he was solid and held his position well. Really everyone out there left it on the pitch. Too bad the ref was a true asshole and did them in like that. Don’t know how that man or the VAR peeps can sleep after that robbery.
Kessie’s heart is no longer in Milan. Was hoping he would learn from donnarumma’s current issue at Psg.
He should be benched till sold off
I am not a coach but IMO, maldini should come in rather than ballo-toure. He has speed and good ball control, he is also good in helping defense. I know maldini is inexperience, but he played against liverpool, and have a momentum of a good start last week, i think it is wise to deploy maldini in LM than ballo-toure.
And kessie, 1 good season out of 4, his ego is sky high now. Asking 8 mil is worst
dear management
Kessie right now is the worst out of 4 player in mid, even below Krunic
Please dont field him in important matches
Kessie can ruin the whole season with his current performance. Should not play and should be sold in January..Milan shall follow Eriksen case with Tottenham..Gigio and Hakan performed much better last year in same contractual condition.
Love the heart of this team. We were dominate first half and then the ref ruined the game. That hello was BS as was the penalty kick. WTF is wrong w Kessie? He shouldn’t be starting. Bennacer and Tonali excellent. Leao amazing. Diaz fantastic. I still don’t get Romagnoli. Fell asleep on Griezman goal – stick a fkn foot out. Huge mistake. All in all amazing display despite the adversity from the ref. Pls sign a RW (Faivre) in January.
Kessie is free to leave in January, and Maldini should ensure that this is executed.
Get us a better replacement.
Leao is beginning to delight me.
I wonder if we can convince Madrid to sell Brahim. Madrid are delighted by his performance so far, I am 100% certain
I didn’t see the game, but it sounds as though Milan were extremely unlucky not to get at least a point. They mustn’t be disheartened, even if they don’t make it through the group – they have a great first team with some of the most exciting young players in Europe right now. The squad could still do with a bit of beefing up; a couple of grizzled warriors in midfield / defence to add a few solid options for a year or two.
The big disappointment so far this season has been Kessie – he was enormous last year, but hasn’t been at the races at all since the start of this season. The contract stuff is clearly in his head, and I don’t think he’ll end up signing. A real shame, he could have gone on to be an all-time club legend.