Player Ratings: AC Milan 1-2 Lazio – Pavlovic sees red; Jimenez nightmare

AC Milan lost yet another game as Lazio converted a late penalty underneath the San Siro floodlights. It was a very poor performance from the Rossoneri and below are the player ratings, with several to criticise. 

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out how we decide the player ratings. From the scale to what affects the rating, we have compiled everything there.

Starting XI

Maignan (5): You could question his actions on the first goal, but he did steer the ball to the side – as you should do – so it was more the defenders’ fault. On the penalty, however, he was a bit too rash and although the contact was minimal, he could have stayed back a little.

Jimenez (4): He put in an absolutely horrendous defensive display, losing every single 1v1 with Tavares as well as falling asleep on Zaccagni’s goal. Sadly, he has shown in these last two games that he still has A LOT of work to do to compete for a starting spot.

Gabbia (6): He was the only defender who had multiple successful interventions, and without making any big mistakes. He also pushed forward at times, once in the second half which was one of the best attacks for Milan in the game.

Pavlovic (4): The Serbian was responsible for a very poor clearance just before Lazio’s opener and then killed the game with his red card, even if Milan did get an equaliser after. Say what you want about the referee’s decision, but it was indeed a clumsy and dangerous challenge. A rash decision which was fatal for the Rossoneri.

Hernandez (4.5): Another poor game for him, unfortunately. He failed to track back on the first goal and thus allowed Marusic tons of space, and he also missed an easy pass to start a great counter-attack for Milan.

Fofana (5): The most laughable moment of the game came as a result of the Frenchman’s decision-making, trying his luck from distance. The result? He skied it. The passing also wasn’t great apart from maybe one or two good ones.

Musah (5): He had multiple poor giveaways in exposed situations and also squandered a couple of good opportunities in attack, trying to backheel and stuff. Taking him off after 37 minutes was harsh but also understandable.

Pulisic (5.5): It’s quite clear that his condition isn’t 100% still, but he had a hand in some of the more promising moves this evening. That being said, his touches weren’t always brilliant as a few key passes were squandered.

Reijnders (5.5): The first half was a strange one from him, with weird misplaced passes and few contributions on the ball. However, he picked up in the second half and certainly helped Milan gain some sort of momentum in attack.

Leao (5.5): He got the assist for Chukwueze, who was left completely free at the back post, but aside from that winger didn’t have much success. The 1v1 proved difficult and when he did break through, including runs forward from Milan’s half, the final pass often wasn’t good enough.

Gimenez (4.5): It might sound harsh, but it was a very poor game. He had little success in possession, failed with some easy first touches – which could have led to good chances – and also committed strange fouls. The one at the end was completely uncalled for.

Substitutes

Joao Felix (5): He missed a good chance on the edge of the box in the first half, and then missed one inside the box in the second (even if the shot was better than). He did get himself involved a lot, credit to him, but that’s not the only thing Conceicao brought him on to do.

Walker (5.5): The situation on the right-hand side certainly improved with him, even if he also got beat by Tavares on more than one occasion. He won some as well, though, so a slightly improved rating is warranted (even if it isn’t a pass).

Thiaw (6): Got the job done for the most part, though it should be noted that everything was tough for the defenders as Milan played with a very attacking XI in the final minutes.

Chukwueze (6 – MOTM): Feels like an easy MOTM, given he scored Milan’s only goal of the game and for a while it looked like it would be enough for a draw. He had a very poor giveaway after that, though, hence the rating.

Jovic (6): He didn’t have many minutes on the pitch, but he got involved with some nice flicks/headers and also had a couple of crucial defensive interventions.