AC Milan fought their way back into the game against Torino, which ended 2-2 despite the Rossoneri being 0-2 down up until the 89th (!) minute. They even almost won it at the end and below are the player ratings for the team.
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 (7.5 – MOTM): The Frenchman made two fantastic saves in the first half and really ‘kept Milan in the game’, even if he conceded one more goal later on. He couldn’t do anything about either goal, truth be told, and he showed his class at the end with a Neuer-esque intervention.
Calabria (6): All things considered, the captain was solid in both phases of the game even if he didn’t leave a huge mark on the game. You cannot fault his work rate, but moving forward we also need to see more concrete contributions.
Tomori (6): He made one crucial clearance in the second half but aside from that, it was pretty much just an okay display from him. He didn’t always win the duels with Zapata but always made sure to put up a good fight.
Thiaw (4.5): Like night and day compared to his colleague, instinctively taking a touch when he needed to clear the ball (lacked awareness) which resulted in the own-goal. I can understand his decision on the second goal as Theo was there, but it can still be questioned so in short, it was not a positive night for him.
Saelemaekers (5.5): He struggled a lot in defence, especially in the transition phases. We also saw it on the goal as he was late and didn’t have the ability to challenge Bellanova for the header. A bit better when he moved to the right-wing position, but still not good enough.
Bennacer (6): The Algerian was good in possession, distributing the ball and making himself available all the time. He wasn’t necessarily poor in defence either but he had to work hard, so one can understand the sub (also because Reijnders is more attacking-minded).
Loftus-Cheek (6): He was strong in possession and defended the ball well on numerous occasions, also setting up Leao for the 1v1 chance with a great outside-of-the-boot pass. Nothing extraordinary all things considered, but good enough.
Chukwueze (5): After several misplaced passes, as well as no luck with his movement/dribblings, he was subbed off. We need to see a lot more from and unfortunately, tonight was a repeat of last season.
Pulisic (5.5): The American looked quite good in transition when he dropped down slightly and drove forward with the ball. This evening, however, his problem was the finishing as he missed one good chance on the edge of the box and then another from inside the box.
Leao (5): Even though he always seemed to cause trouble for the Torino defence, he lacked the end product (same old story, right?) and it could have been a completely different game if he had scored the 1v1 chance. Also got another great chance after a lovely ball by Reijnders but failed to bring it down. He knew himself this was poor.
Jovic (5.5): Except for one good turn, we didn’t really see that much from home and let’s just say it was a big difference compared to Morata’s time on the pitch.
Substitutes
Hernandez (5): It was absolutely shocking defending on the second goal, lazily letting his man (seemingly assuming Thiaw would take him) head the ball into the back of the net. He had a slight hand in pushing down Torino towards the end, but it didn’t make up for the mistake.
Reijnders (6): He was beaten a bit too easily by Lazaro on the second goal, even if the Torino man did well, but he recovered and got the assist for Morata. He also helped up the second goal which nice movement in possession so he did good enough.
Morata (7): A debut goal for the No.7, which is exactly what we wanted to see, and it’s just a shame that it didn’t come in a win. Still, that goal was pure striker’s instinct and the start of the comeback, so the high grade is justified.
Musah (6.5): A poor shot missed at the end, but it must be said that he added energy to the game and showed his quality with a great assist for Okafor. More of this, please.
Okafor (7): The rating perhaps seems a bit high, as we didn’t see loads of him overall, but that goal was absolutely clutch and that has sort of been his trademark goal at Milan. Getting the draw in the end means a lot and we have the Swiss international to thank for it.
Stronger bench, but you can’t keep conceding goals at home from teams like Torino.
It is obvious some players like Thiaw, are not stars but still
Awful starting line up in the first game.
But a draw is better than a loss 🖤❤
Pulisic and Chukwueze the same rating? lol. Pulisic made things happen even if he didn’t have his finishing boots, Chukwueze added nothing.
The writers for sempremilan have always given Pulisic lower marks than he deserved ever since he joined Milan, and it looks like they are going to continue doing this again this season.
What game you watch? Chukwu definetly added something, he added at least 2 throw-in stats. Sadly it was for Torino
Kalulu is primarius of defence for Thiaw as CB and Calabria as RB.
Still don’t know y they want to sell a good player and promising one like Kalulu n left Thaiw n Calabria.If Milan management is all about selling good players for money n buying mediocre players that means we are doomed
Calabria was poor and no way a 6! He was booed off the pitch and rightfully so. Salad needs to be sold along with Thiaw. Get Chiesa for Salad ASAP before Juventus changes their mind. Is Newcastle still interested in Thiaw? Lol
I missed the boos. Doesn’t surprise me, he was mediocre as usual but somehow is untouchable according to some just because he’s Italian and a youth product.
Spot on, he’s Italian and untouchable, now if Roman come knocking,hope we can sell him
Milan fans don’t boo Milan players
I went back and rewatched. Nobody booed Calabria.
Rewatch it again then. But either way, he is poor and shouldn’t be starting.
no need to. he wasn’t booed.
Ofc. Milan fans don’t boo Milan players. Even in the banter era I can’t remember it happening
They booed castillejo and poor guy was crying
I thought so. And I didn’t see him doing anything worse than his teammates. I’m not his biggest fan but he’s been playing better this summer. A lot of people here seem to know about football and Milan but a lack of honesty in the analysis is the problem. A lot of us have fixed opinions about every player coach and management regardless.
They do, they booed Seedorf most weeks, as did I.
Shameful
That’s because you’re an idiot
You booed seedorf? One of the great midfielders and a Milan legend?
Its good to know, i can ignore all your comments as you have proven your and idiot
There was no offer for Thiaw, only rumour.
Torino’s Bellanova will definitely be a good replacement for Calabria Kalulu will suffice for Thaiw
No way Thiaw gets the same rating like Leao and Theo. He was horrible. Gabia is miles ahead of him, dont understand the hype around this guy, he is so clumsy.
As for the game in general it looked like Pioli. But thats normal, it takes time for new style/tactics to sets in.
We did look much better with two strikers up front tho, so thats something to be considered as well.
I swear I saw this exact game about 10 times last season… Anyway, hopefully it’s a misfire and we get back in the groove next week, with Thiaw watching from the stands. I’d honestly rather start Bartesaghi over him until Pavlovic is ready. Or a statue of Nesta.
Statue of Nesta 🤣🤣
There is no way the 2nd is Theo’s fault. Thiaw has Zapata, he is with him. And he makes a non sense movement towards the middle of the box where there is nobody. Thiaw was a disaster, I think after tonight is going to be very difficult for him to play again.
Calabria also a disaster, very often beaten by his man and mediocre with the ball.
Tomori also does not give any confidence.
We should think twice before selling Kalulu and if we do, we need to replace him. Hummels is still free.
Thiaw was terrible but he did go for the other player. Second goal was on Theo but prior to that, I don’t understand Sal on both goals, his rating here is misleading. He was ball watching and left his man to advance towards the goal.
Also, we are still slow on counter and return to help the defense when we loose the ball in our opponent’s half.
Agree.
The second goal wasn’t completely Theo’s fault, Thiaw somehow lost his guard on Zapata, you can see from the replay, he was the one guarding but he let go of his guard when the ball was released
You are right , it was Thiaw who was marking Zapata and let him go. The first goal was bad enough, even though Salad & Tomori were also at fault, but for me the second goal was worse. Thiaw won’t be starting with Pavlovic & Gabbia around , the coach has a lot of work left to do on the training ground defensively.
I really hope Fonseca realized that this team needs balance , 3 midfielders starting is the bare minimum. Starting with the 4- 2 – Fantasia is not going to work unless he wants to be 2 down every game from now till Christmas.
Tomori has no fault in the first goal the cross came in from Calabria’s wing when he failed to challenge for ball.Salmeakers didn’t try to jump to confuse his opponent so how is it Tomori’s fault.
Someone is feeling generous…
Several players deserved to get below a 5. The coach showed some flaws, yes, but lack of quality the players show sometimes is shocking. Casually putting the ball into your own net, crossing behind the goal, shooting in the stands…
If we do get a chance to get a player like Chiesa we shouldn’t think twice.
Not a bad performance overall though, Milan where a bit unlucky just before the first goal of the match. Once they move forward their decision making is not swift enough, which allows the opposition to retreat and stay in shape. The idea of Fonseca play is good, but the layers look less sharper than preseason games. Also if they can get their crosses or passes into the box right, they will be more dangerous.
Some very forgiving ratings…
First game with new coach, new ideas, new system and after Euros where many missed the pre-season.
Chill.
this
Exactly.
Wow… Rossi, Ted… I agree!
Exactly and the champions also drew 2-2 to a team not better than Torino. I believe our coach and most of the fans were just too confident going into the match which makes the performance and result look more disappointing and discouraging. We should’ve done better for sure but I believe we’ll start doing better if we can maintain the pre match enthusiasm hard work and a bit more humility.
I’m posting too quickly? Not true. My first post in a like a week bro!
Did you watch Inter match tho? They still played decent match. With their signature fast phased transition football. Genoa honestly didn’t do much for the draw. While us, we play the usual Pioli’s confusing football. Only hoping for an individual spark and multi random crosses.
Didnt do much and still score 2 goals, so they can beat Inter if they do much more?
Did you watch the match?
I didn’t. You’re right but they have the same with the same tactics so their movements should be more precise. Obviously we must improve but I’d give it three match days at least before certain outbursts. Of course it won’t go without pointing out some little disappointments even when the team are on top of the table.
And don’t forget we’re playing in out home turf in front of 60-70k of supporters. Being down 2-0 ‘till 89th minute should beg no excuse.
Yes. Give them time.
Spot On!.. like last year & season before.. it takes time.. chill & calm
Even though I really liked Pioli, but, I’m happy we can play differently, and with strong options on the bench. Didn’t see much of the second half, but, not surprised we got a draw. My concern is still the defense; it’s just not strong enough. Management still has work to do there.
They did work. Once we get the new signings of Pavlovic, Fofana and Emerson in there the team will improve a great deal defensively.
We also need to get Chuku saleamakers and Jovic back to the bench where they belong. That and get Thiaw out of a Milan jersey as fast as possible.
Hopefully Finseca will learn quickly that just because a player looks good in a few preseason friendlies against other team’s B sides doesn’t mean a whole lot.
This match gave me Pioli vibes for start to finish with Salad as the new Krunic.
This starting lineup was bizarre. How is Jovic starting over Morata? And saleamakers at LB. Way to put the team in a hole.
Chuku back to his regular season form of Terrible again. Back to the bench please.
I’m afraid Fonseca’s love of Chuku and Saleamakers is going to hurt this team.
Can we just sell Thiaw already, to anyone who will take him, for any price. Why are we continuing to let this guy ruin games for us? He has all the physical qualities you would want but he has zero IQ.
There were positives, they created plenty of chances and Leao and Pulisic will surely not continue to miss those chances. Musah also looked very bright coming in. We have a strong bench now. I think once we get the new signings into the starting lineup we will be much better.
P.S. that was one hundred percent a penalty on Morata, inexplicable how you could overturn that.
How can Leao be 5? And Calabria better? IMO Leao was the only one trying, yes he missed a chance but don’t you think the goal keeper did a good job, and the pass from Reijnders he slipped controlling. Overall he deserves a 6.5
Whats the point of trying if its failed? In the end he contributed nothing to the result
Saelesmaekers and Thiaw both need to depart. Thiaw was a 3.0 out 10 at best. Let Pavlovic start. He is ready. And why do such a strange starting line up?
Well Salamakers was being played out of position. Can’t be too hard on him.
Agreeing with you twice in one post?? What the fk’s going on? 🙂
Jovic is a super Sub just like Okafor, when they start games they underperform but when they come from the bench they always make things happen,Morata should start from next game onwards and Bennacer should be played at NO_10 position, he’s a better ball player than the rest
We’re not gonna ring the alarm bell after the first game.
With that said, we were too hyped after what seemed to be like a nice US tour, but there’s a world of difference between a friendly even against Real Madrid and an official game.
The starting lineup was too risky IMO and I don’t understand the idea of using Saelemakers as a fullback where he clearly didn’t show anything good. Nice comeback and the subs definetly made a difference.
Nice to see Morata scoring in his first game.
With Pavlovic coming, I hope to never see Thiaw starting again over anyone.
His other option is teracino, so salae is worth to try eventhough he is sht as RB
Spot on, he’s Italian and untouchable, now if Roman come knocking,hope we can sell him
Here are my take-home points:
1. Bad start. But then, Inter also had a bad start. This was an atypical pre-season with the Euro making essential players join late, and the mercato did get good signings but they also joined late. I think we will improve. Last season we started very well, then crashed. I still hope that this season despite this bad start, we will improve.
2. Alexis tries really hard but he is not a left back. I’ve been saying it, the lack of a suitable deputy for Theo is a concern and this was shown today, given that one of the Torino goals exploited space left behind by Alexis and he failed to cut a cross, too.
3. Thiaw has cost us numerous points. He is gaffe-prone. I don’t like to really bash a Milan player but that move on the line was amateur hour. All that he had to do was to kick that ball out of there, not try to trap it. The replay from another angle showed that the ball was actually sailing away from the goal line. That own goal is very much on Thiaw (although others failed too) and this can’t continue. We are trying to ship out Kalulu but we’re keeping Thiaw??? It should be the other way around. OK, there are no takers for Thiaw, I get that, but then, we’ve had 3 players lately that were outcasts and just sit out the entire season(s) so at this point I wouldn’t list or register Thiaw and would just let him sit out even if he keeps making his salary, and would keep Kalulu. Thiaw shouldn’t be wearing the Milan jersey; he keeps making us drop points.
4. I was a bit dismayed at Fonseca only subbing at the 60th minute and later; a mistake Pioli used to make. It was rather clear that things were not working. We should have started the second half with Morata in for Jovic, with Pavlovic for Thiaw, with Okafor for Leão. We could have won this game.
5. This draw is on Thiaw but also on Calabria and Alexis who got eaten alive in their goals, and on Rafa who missed two incredible sitters, and even on Puli who should have scored too. And on Fonseca who took too long to sub when Milan was showing one of its worst performances of late. We dramatically improved once the subs were in, so, like I said, doing it from the start of the second half could have resulted in a win. Even if some players haven’t gelled yet and aren’t in match form, they might still be better than the players who started and were performing really poorly.
6. Rafa didn’t have the finishing but he did try hard. I think part of it was being a bit unlucky, part of it being too eager; I still hope he will have a great season. The whole team was nervous and Rafa was really nervous too. Sometimes Rafa is frustrating but I still like him a lot.
7. Okafor should be ahead of Jovic in the pecking order for backing up Morata. Jovic can be a super sub but if Morata can’t start, Okafor should start as ST, not Jovic. Jovic almost never does well when he starts, but he often does well when he comes in as a late super sub.
7. Despite a rather disastrous performance for 75 minutes, I think there are several reasons to remain optimistic:
a) Morata is very promising. He came in and terrorized Torino’s defense. He almost got a PK. Then he beat the goalie but unfortunately offside. Then he had another couple of less successful but dangerous attempts, and then he scored. That’s a lot of incisive plays for the little time he was on the pitch. Once he has all 90 minutes in his legs, I think he will be a great striker for us.
b) One of the reasons we suffered one of the goals was that Alexis was too short to stop a cross. Pavlovic is really tall. I think once he is playing, we will be less fragile in defense.
c) I’m not sure how good (or not) Emerson is but Calabria was eaten alive in their second goal. Maybe Emerson will be more solid. I hope (because I heard he is not that good at defending either). But I want to hope that sometimes we get players who look like EPL rejects but then they end up doing very well for us, so let’s hope Emerson can help with our porous defense.
d) Once Fofana joins, the defense will be better protected.
e) The team did show grit and resolve to claw back from 0-2 and this is always good to see.
———-
So, in summary, we played very poorly but there are numerous reasons to remain optimistic; I think we will improve as the season goes on.
Nice read thank you.
I do disagree with you about sub timing. Pioli was at the 70 and often the 75. So I found 60 to be timely and refreshing.
My point is, we did so poorly in first half that the subs should have been done at 46 minutes. Or we should have started the best players, crushed Torino, then subbed out the tired players.
Yeah I can see what you mean. I’m looking more for systemic differences b/t the coaches.
The system was recognizable today and so were the patterns of play within it. They just weren’t executed as well as they should be. I could pick out a system last oy disjoint parts.
Pioli at 75 Fonseca (one in a row granted) at 60 and with three players.
He didn’t throw a tired Morata on for the start. He made it ear he expects results from this squad.
Etc
I am 100% with you when taking th match as a single event.
Agree with all – including the subs. I was surprised to still see Theo and Morata on the bench 2nd half. And like you say, the whole team seemed nervous. Why the hell are they nervous, though? That’s a worrying sign for the derby.
Lars… right, chuck was terrible. He seemed lost. Leão was a 5.5.
Averted a disaster….barely. Just proves yet again the preseason means nothing.
Fonseca???? WTF are you doing? Got it all wrong.
Jovic doesn’t even get a rating? LOL. Not surprising as he was terrible AGAIN and is NOT a #9. So we are back in the SAME fkn situation as last season – having to rely on ONLY one true #9 in Morata (instead of Giroud). That would be a disaster by management IF we don’t pick up another striker before the window closes as we cannot yet again rely on one PURE #9
No need to panic first game of season but certainly not the start everyone expected.
Was that Fonseca-ball or Pioli-ball??? Hard to tell – looked the exact same to me…Yikes
Same old story, cheap cheap goals. Great job by the team to pick up a point, but we can’t keep giving such goals to the opposition. Mike had two or three great saves, but he was rather weak on the first goal. Benny and RLC weren’t great as a cover for the defense, and our back four couldn’t handle Zapata and Belanova. This is also on Fonseca who selection and team preparation should have been able to counter this.
All and all weak opening match by the boys and Fonseca. Much work is still needed.
Great come back ,we almost won. The rotations is just to much. Leao lacks leadership. No sense of urgency in his play. This kid needs to be kicked in the ass. We need leaders,come on. Thiaw, Calabria all needs to go to the bench. A healthy competition is needed this time round. Mike,Morata ,Bennecer,Pulisic will be decisive this season
1st game of the season, and many starters were left out. However, some problems are the same. Thiaw needs to go back on the bench. Saladmaker as a leftback total failure. Even puli as a trequartista doesn’t work. I don’t see what jovic offers more than colombo, and others. Too many players with the same characteristics. Leao gotta finish his chances. Super mike. Calabria already peaked 2 seasons ago. Cheek in a deeper role was better in my opinion, than pioli’s am role. Once everyone get into the rhythm we’ll be all right.
Just as death is inevitable, bad days/games are also inevitable. I regard today as one of the FEW bad days we’re gonna have this season which I’m grateful for earning the 1 point which all Serie A teams that played today got.
Forza Milan 🟥⬛
What exactly makes you regard today as one of the few bad days we’re gonna have?
The team was tactically awful and all over the place. Worse than Pioli’s bad days.
Agreed, we played a weaker lineup, we know why, we played great when the starters came on, and there were a few useful lessons.
They will both do better in their next game
As some of us said, we should have taken any reasoinable offer for Thiaw. €15 million is generous, let alone what Newcastle offered. He has no awareness, he can’t track runners, can’t anticipate danger, makes rash challenges and the OG was a new low even by his poor standards, he backheeled the ball over the line, that’s how hard he sucks. I doubt we’ll see him start another game.
I can understand giving a rest to Theo and Morata, less so to Pavlovic.
Okafor should hopefully have ended any move to bring in the useless Abraham.
In any case, next week’s starting XI will be wildly different. Theo, Pavlovic, Reijnders, Fofana and Morata are all likely to start.
Teams usually don’t win the scudetto if they fail to win the first game of the season.
well that would also mean inter then
Spot on. Thiaw… I’ve complained about him enough on here so no point going on about him. We’ve got some time left in the window…
Theo, Morata… I really didn’t get Fonseca here either. They had like 55 min extra rest? Then had to come on anyway because no one told Fonzy that Jovic can’t start on his own and Salad isn’t a LB.
Calabria -10…
Did we see the same game? All goals and attack came through that side and place, he is terrible, we need to sell him over Kalulu, id rather pay the tax for not having italians than having that gentleman as a starter…
Salam is a new Krunic, but 3 Times better.. But stil he is the player, who play when your first choice is out… But Like deputy to Theo, Leao, Calab and Chuk is okey… Jovic is only bench player too… Fonseca need to find a place for Okafor because he continues with his great form from Last seasson… Sell Thiaw to Newcastle please…. Morata great and next starting 11 will be definitely diferent… No Thiaw, Jovic, RLC, Calabria but try Pavlovic, Morata, Fofana, Royal… Sounds Like upgrade to me… Game was not bad, but unlucky for our attack..
THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TO KEEP OKAFOR! He is efficient inside the box..saele should also get 4.5 for terrible defending throughout the first half..I hope pavlovic and fofana would improve our defence massively
I’ll say it again and again, thiaw has no defensive inteligence.
Really reminds me of senderous.
And yet there are people here who still defend him by saying he’s young and has potential.
If he’s truly has it, it should have been shown by now.
And yet it’s the contrary.
How many times milan have lost point last season because thiaw failed to mark his man, didn’t where to position himself, and simply making stupid foul after foul that led to cards.
Here still hoping newcastle take him before the window closed.
ugh dont trigger me with flashbacks of drawing with Portsmouth lol
Another match that felt like it came from last season. Great comeback but we should be better at avoiding that fate.
No complaints about Big Mike, he did everything you could have asked. Neither goal was his fault or anything he could have done to stop them.
The backline, as not impressive as last season. No one had a good match but the own goal sums up our defensive prowess. Our high line is leaving our midfielders scared to be creative because they know our back four will be beat. Maybe we should back off a bit and try letting the attacking plays.
The midfield again over ran by shear numbers. Every time we tried to progress the ball it would get stuck and back passed or a lazy kick out to Leao or Chuk with nothing to really show from it. Again, widen the field and give our players room to operate and maybe they wouldn’t turn it over so often.
Frontline was poor but we know they can and will do better. Leao missed a few sitters and even Pulisic’s shot was off today but that won’t last forever and both of them will get back on the scorers sheet soon. Chuk is a good teammate and I think he tries to do what’s best for the team but sometimes he makes poor decision trying to get the momentum back in our favor. Jovic is better as a sub than a starter so hopefully Morata will be integrated into the starting 11 sooner than later.
The subs saved the match. What an assist for Musah. Most here don’t rate him but that was a kick and a half. Its true he can’t dribble or shot but he is a bully on the ball and can place it into the box. Okafor like Jovic is better off the bench and is deadly with half chances and volleys. Theo only came off the bench for fitness reasons but once he did he look okay but Leao looked to come alive once the Frenchman enter the match. Reijnders same as Theo started from the bench for fitness reasons but once he came on the movement through the middle looked stronger.
The new manager made some good subs and some header scratchers as well. Not sure why he left Salad on so long and moved him around through out the game. That’s not fair to him or the team. He went to Morata at the right time and that was a good decision and bringing Okafor on was smart but a little late in the match. Theo should have come on at the half and Salad to the bench but that did not happen so that was a major negative in my book.
Looks like another season of us thinking we should boss most matches and when we don’t we get frustrated. Perhaps, a better approach is realize we still aren’t Milan of old but still better than the Banter era.
Too Harsh on Leao
Very generous with Tomori and Chukwueze
Lol this season will be “exciting”
And i’m excited to see what kind of excuses from the people who wants to fired Pioli cause right now they can’t blame him anymore lmao.
There was a great deal to like in this game.
Puli – 7 – if good things were happening he was in it. If they weren’t he was trying to get it going. Yeah he could have finished better.
Salad – 6 – in one game he plays LB then RW then RB. He could have played each better and we see this when he is on the wing. Clearly Theo is not yet fit to start the Terraciano is untrusted. Not Salads fault.
Musah – 6.5 – took 5(!) shots in 20 minutes and got an assist coming off the the bench adding energy.
Morata – 7 – yep the goal, but he was a leader on the pitch. He brought both energy and focus with him.
Leao – 7 – seriously. Dude attempted more headers this game than I can remember all last season. He was active tracking back and improved in pressing. Leao was the involved player we want him to be. Now he needs to finish.
Leao is working in clearly diff ways and Puli in an entirely different position with diff responsibilities. They will be better each week.
Then there was the group who did the job.
Benny – 6 – he did show not only that he has a defensive mind but that he is willing to get physical again. His forward passing was still week. I am stepping off the selling Benny bandwagon.
Reinjders – 6 – bright and active but lacking th crisp precision we need from him. He needs a couple more weeks.
Tomorri – 6 – no boneheaded errors. Took the space going forward. Needs to marshall the line better.
Calabria – 6 – solid on defense though he did get beat for pace a couple of times. He was available going forward and where his mates expected him. Looks way more comfortable not inverting. Needs better quality in the final third.
RLC – 6 – he disrupted and recovered the ball. Took the opportunity to go forward when it presented itself. Still faded in/out of the game some.
Jovic – 5.5 – I honestly have begun to think his teammates don’t know what to do with a 9 who drops deep and uses his feet. He was clearly frustrating and frustrated by the timing/pace of many balls. With more minutes this improves.
Then there were the rest.
Theo – 5 – I wish I could say the second goal was rust, but we see this loss of focus from him quite a bit. I hope Fonzy can coach this out of him. He did get forward very aggressively. I’d like to see more Theo and less Canseco.
Thiaw – 4.5 – not a starter. He is clumsy physically and mentally he simply loses the plot far to often. He needs to develop, not start. While I do not see the intelligence and laser focus I look for in a CB I’m willing to wait for him if th staff are. But right now he’s a circus. Gabbia needs to opportunity and we bought Pavlovic as well. Thiaw should go to 4th choice.
Chuk – 4 – dude was again lost. Jovic, Puli, Calabria, RLC, Leao all were waving and gesturing at him to be where he was supposed to be. It’s like the beginning of last season and I fear he is showing he needs a great deal more time to learn a system that the norm. I honestly believe the team was stunted due to is being on the RW tonight. I expect Fonzy will play Salad there next week.
And finally the coach
Fonzy – 7 – yea starting Salad at LB was a head scratcher. But it also was a message to Kalulu that there is no place for him. Our offense really began to click on the second half. But he gets the 7 because he started the subs at 57 min instead of 75.
What I saw gives me hope that another 4 weeks with Fonzy and we will look like a serious Scudetto and Copa competitor rather than simply the second best team.
Ru drunk bro????
LMAO did we just play in a CL final and won by 3 clear goals? :)) What is this nonsense?!
It’s an honest evaluation of the first game under a new coach with key players unavailable to start.
You might note that Thiaw and Chuk are criticized heavily. I believe we win had they not played.
We have a long season ahead and what I can see as clear upside from the subs entering.
I’d love to read your nonsense. Care to take a stab?
Honestly I wouldn’t know where to start with your comment. Best to leave it at that. But just consider this :
Wasn’t Torino also playing their first game under a new coach AWAY from home?
If you’re giving Fonseca a 7 for that nightmare of a match I shudder to think what catastrophe might hit Milan when he’s a 3 or 4.
Some ratings yes. Some ratings no.
Pukisic fan rates him highly, what a shocker
While I’m not a fan of his, he definitely wasn’t the worst on the pitch. Also not even close to the best.
Underwhelming as a trequartista and the team improved/ scored without him on the pitch. He killed multiple counter attacks by turning around and letting Toro get back in shape (even though he had multiple options) missed a fairly easy chance, and should have crossed when he hit the side netting. The best chance to score while he was on the pitch had nothing to do with him.
As a #10 his main job should be creating chances for his teammates and finishing off chances created for him. He did neither effectively.
Goal difference with him as a 10, -2
Goal difference with him off the pitch, +2
(Calabria and Pulisic are the only two with this particular stat)
How is that a 7? Is this an effort rating? Be consistent. He was average at best.
Reijnders letting his man beat him and letting the cross come in so close to the touchline is just as much to blame for the second goal as Theo is. The less defensive responsibility for him the better.
Fonseca can’t be a 7 either. He put the team at disadvantage from the beginning and it showed.
He did well to correct those with his personnel changes. Okafor saved him who dont even mention.
I agree with your optimism and hope. It wasn’t all bad. The team did really well to fight back. The last 20 (15 of regular time +stoppages) mins looked much better (except for the pace). Dont recall a #11 in red and black during that time though.
There’s more but best not to dwell and to move on to next one.
Good evaluation and comments here. I agree about Calabria and the treatment he’s getting is very unfair.
We had 26 shots with 6 on target. Unfortunately sometimes this happens even to the best teams itw. I don’t like how Fonseca has the whole team playing so centrally. Push the wingers out wide and unclog the middle of that cluster fuck. The players looked confused and I could see bickering amongst them from frustration. All is not lost, it’s just the first game and we fought back and got the draw. Maybe put puli back at RW and move RLC back to 10 if we do not improve in the next 2/3 matches. This game was mostly just poor finishing and Maignan saved the game from being a L imho.
Always liked Okafor since he faced us with Salzburg, he needs to play more.
Thiaw are just younger version paletta / cristian zapata. No awareness , cannot do clean tackle, cannot man to man marking . He is truly moncada failure scouting . I would prefer sell him to Newcastle 20m euro and keep kalulu that helping get scudetto . After euro and new recruit late join , im afraid before match ACM get draw
Way too generous ratings. Calabria was terrible. Tomori made a lot of mistakes special at the start of their first goal. Loftus Cheek belongs on the bench. Jovic is good for the last 10, 15 minutes of a game when we need goals. That’s it. Average player otherwise. And then there is Chukwueze, the worst of them all. He must be one of the worst wingers to ever wear the Milan shirt. I’m serious. He’s so bad. Jesus.
Let’s not forget Fonseca who deserves a big fat zero. He threw points away with that clown line-up initially. Tactically the team was awful and all over the place. Very bad first impression. Torino was also playing their first competitive match under a new coach and they were very good and organized.
100% 24/25 no scudetto,if 1st giornata not won,why Calabria and saelmakers still play form the start
When essential players are not match fit for 90 minutes, I believe that most coaches in the world start the best players, kill the opponents, then sub them out when they get tired, because it’s easier to defend a commanding lead (you can get more defensive and play counters while the opponents are desperate and all out) then the opposite: starting with the mediocre players, falling behind, then bringing in the best players to try and catch up (at which point you are the ones having to go all out and getting vulnerable to counters).
I was always mad at Pioli for starting with bad lineups and too much rotations, then falling behind and having to play catch up. That cost us lots of points.
To my dismay, that’s the same mistake Fonseca made today.
Playing Thiaw almost all game and playing Saelemaekers in defense was bad judgment. And Jovic as starter, we all know it doesn’t work.
If we had Pavlović, Theo and Morata starting we’d likely not have suffered the two goals and would be leading at halftime. Then we could have subbed them out at say, 55 minutes or so.
Inter always start with their best players. I wish our coaches did too.
That’s a very good point.
It was a very bad game. All the excitement was ruined after 30 minutes. But it has only been 6 weeks together for the coach so I hope he learns from today’s game.
Let’s be real, this game showed that milan are still playing pioli’s way. Everything they showed in preseason wasn’t on display today. The midfield and defence was all over the place and out of position. Especially when torino quickly transitioned the players were completely out of position and didn’t know what to do. It is so easy for the opposition to bypass the midfield too.
It will definitely take time but I hope fonseca learned today that saelemaekers is not a starter and thiaw is behind gabbia.
But I was also surprised about chukwueze too, he was very poor,but so was the team. It really was one of the worst games I’ve seen in a while and that worries me. For 85 minutes we saw no ambition, no creativity and they just looked like they didn’t even train and just got back from vacation.
The positives I’ll take were all the subs. They all played a part in both goals so credit to them. I always wonder why okafor doesn’t get more minutes than he does. Hes such an undervalued player. Morata is going to be really good for this team you can tell. Your going to see the best Morata in his career. He suits our style so much!
I hope with a full team we can learn quickly, give fonseca a chance. Today wasn’t his fault and he did well with the subs. Next week I expect much more from them
I’m not sure that it wasn’t Fonseca’s fault. Like I said in the post right before yours, he started with a weak lineup, then had to play catch up. In my opinion it’s always better to start with the best lineup and then sub out the tired players once the score is secured.
Did you see how Morata completely terrorized Torino’s defense, in the few minutes he played? Maybe if Morata had started the game, we’d be up 2 or 3-0 at halftime with the game essentially over, then he could have subbed out Morata to let him rest.
Jovic as a starter has never worked. Isn’t there anybody to tell Fonseca “you’re new here and you haven’t seen these players for a long time; trust me, Jovic can’t start. He can contribute as a super sub for the last 10-15 minutes and he often scores in that capacity but he is a disaster when he is the starter, so don’t do it.” Maybe Ibra should tell him.
And why is he trying to keep Thiaw and is saying that Kalulu isn’t in his plans? Thiaw is awful. Kalulu is much better than Thiaw, and so is Gabbia. And Alexis as left back? That doesn’t work. Alexis sometimes can play right back (although not very well) but left back? No!
So, these player selections are entirely on Fonseca, therefore, yes, it’s also his fault.
Chuk can be irregular. He has gorgeous games and terrible games. Today was one of his terrible games. It happens. That’s not what concerns me. What concerns me is Fonseca playing Thiaw almost all game while Gabbia and Pavlovic are sitting on the bench.
I’m sick and tired of Thiaw. He seems to have a really low football IQ and often makes horrible blunders and errors of judgment that cost us points. In my opinion Thiaw shouldn’t wear the Milan jersey again. If no club is silly enough to buy him, just sit him out. He has a small salary. We have too many players; he should sit out just like Origi, if we can’t get rid of him. I’m disappointed that a professional head coach can’t see how bad Thiaw is.
Loan him out to any other team, like a serie B or C team; even for free. If he learns and develops, fine (I doubt it). If not, at least we’d not have to pay his salary for one year.
I agree to always play your best 11 and then sub them out but in this case I kind of get why he say the players he did. Morata for example has had two training sessions and been with the team for 10 days while others somewhat the same. You don’t want to start them and get them injured to miss more games but I fully expect them to all start when everybody is match fit
I agree with thiaw but maybe nobody really wants him and the management is forcing kalulu out or he has more interest with a better gain? Thiaw to me is behind gabbia 100%. Gabbia showed he can be a starter and consistent. Don’t have to say anything about saelemaekers cause I’m the one saying to swap him for chiesa and last night showed that we need chiesa more than ever of were going with puli in the middle. I really don’t know what to think of chukwueze because he was awful
Today saladmaker played as a LB, then i guess one day we will see him as a CB too.
This guy deserved a well raised salary for his multi positioning ability. I love him.
If pawnseca keeps shifting him, sooner or later i will see he is covering all field in fifa 25.
What an achievement on a digital level.
Thất vọng Leao.. không phát triển kỹ thuật thì chỉ có thụt lùi.
Salad isn’t a defender. He chases, and defends well as a midfielder chasing back and picking pockets. But he doesn’t mark well, or clear the ball.
Pulisic bummed me out. Played okay but it doesn’t matter if you miss like did today. Leao left him one from the spot he should have buried.
Why the hell do you start sala on the left back..? That’s a big mistake 😔
I’m sure a lot of people watched and saw Leao played selfishly. When these guys we’re not around for the pre season we didn’t play like this. Chuks was always open and rather they move the ball from his side and go towards Leao who ends up wasting it. I counted five different times in the game when Chuks was open and no one passed the ball to him.
You guys need to understand that there is a bit of too much individuality when Leao plays. He has to Paul for the team. Chuks tried what he could for the team. Most of the passes to him were either too fast or not properly placed.
Let’s be fair in our opinions please!
Why jović starts instide of morata
Why salemakers starts at a position he doesnt play
Why hernandez didnt play like a starter
And why thiaw instide of pavlović
Exactly. I was watching Inter with Lautaro, Thuram and Taremi ( Arnautovic, Correa on the bench) then I know Milan is yet to be ready for new season. The management should stop buying players to replace instead of preparing for a new season and giving the coach a formidable team. Just imagine Inter midfield that have the likes of Mikhitaryan. Calhanoglu, Frattesi, Barella and again adding Zielinski to that midfield. Check their defense Milan is no way match. Dumfries that was giving Theo and Leoa issues for seasons now was on the bench yesterday with Yann Bisseck replacing him. You can’t tell who i better between the 2 because that guy will be another nightmare to Leoa and Thoe.
Inter are signing players to win trophies not replacement. Milan sign Morata to replace Giroud and to them we are good. For 2 to 3 seasons we have been looking for Kessie’s replacement, not to even add to his replacement, we are looking to replace him. Now we have Fofona and we are done. What is wrong in having 2 standard DM? It’s a shame that we have Ibra in our management yet he can’t work on making good signing and planning on winning Trophies. Imagine Milan giving No 9 to Jovic? So Jovic and Morata the striker is complete? Okafor is not a register Striker and the earlier we realize this the better for us. Yesterday I was looking at Ibra and Furlani watching and I could see the failure on their face. Milan could not sign a good replacement for Thoe for 4 seasons, is it not to shame that we are still in transfer widows and yet pushing Saelemaekers to play left back for us? Of what use is the transfer widows for Milan? A right winger playing left back for us 🙄… What a shame. I think the top 4 is still our priority this season. We are not ready yet.
Musah run-ins, positioning and his assist were pure mezz’alas/wide playmaker. Man I wish we’d play 433 with Reijnders and Musah on each side and a proper holding midfielder in the center. We’d see a lot more from Reijnders and Musah from their natural positions.
The coach needs to have some balls in this current situation… Okafor can be glass but I believe if allowed to rival Leao on the left wing, something positive might occur. You can lash all you want, but my take is Leao is just an Advanced Niang. I’m sorry to say, he is too inconsistent to be a star not to say world-class. Thaiw, what a clumsy defender. This guy has cost us so many points already and I don’t understand why he is above Gabbia, with his height, he is useless, he contributes nothing to this team. Simple clearance he fumbled, cross into the box, he is useless. I rest my case here about him. About the mentality Morata talked about, he is 💯 right and sorry to say the players we so much bank on don’t have the right mentality, Leao and Theo Hernandez. These guys show no grit whatsoever, they believe they are untouchable, hence, they give whatsoever performance they like, as much as we can blame Thaiw for the second goal, Theo is 90% at fault, he was the closest man to Zapata, yet he felt no danger and left him unmarked when Thiaw already went close to a free man in the box. It’s no coincidence France substitute him during the critical moment in tough matches. World cup final, Euro Semi final. Theo doesn’t cut it like Evra who has grit and die hard attitude. Leao? Less said. To me, he is not Milan class. He is not meant to be smiling with opponents on the field. I won’t mind if these guys leave next summer and get an average guy with the right mentality consistently. The way Torino tossed our players around to score the second goal is a beauty to behold, it’s one touch movement like this I want to see from our players but no, everyone wants to show how much they could hold the ball or dazzle with it. Cheeks isn’t Milan class also, the guy can’t play tiki taka, he is too heavy and slow for that. Libareli would have been helpful in this match.
Based on this performance, I don’t see Milan finishing second or third this season not to talk of winning the league. Bitter but true.
I liked Pioli’s Milan. I still think his sacking was not reasonable. So, I’ll refrain from commenting much on Fonseca’s approach, as I probably won’t be as objective as I would like.
That being said, Fonseca seems to be pandering too much to the cameras; fans, media. That’s what the starting line-up shows. Leao, Pulisic, and Chukwu all starting, and Salaemaekers at LB, in the first game of the season when the Chemistry and fitness is missing is just…
Keep it simple bruv. Or atleast start simple. These fans are not that bright. Judging from the one percent that post here atleast. They want a hundred things at once, most of them contradictory. And they’d turn on you in one second without a thought. So do your thing. And own the result.
Isn’t it better to learn some lessons in the early stage of the season than learning in a game we really need to win which won’t matter anymore.
The fact is that everyone have their shares of blame – from the management, to the coach, and to the players
Salad 5.5?!!! Perhaps 3.5.
I would say the system was the reason why Milan lost. Putting Alexis as LB (IMO was not a good move) – given that he is a good attacking player, and there were Theo, Terracianno, and Jimenez available.
Calabria and Tomori are always out of position, leaving Thiaw to guard 2-3 players if there is a break. People are simply blaming the wrong players. Here the fault is of the manager (primarily) and whoever was supposed to be the defensive mid (responsible for giving the extra support to the defense whenever Alexis or Calabria moved up the field. This was exactly what was Pioli’s downfall – when he switched to a 3-man defense without any defensive midfield as cover. Fonseca, like I predicted even before he took up the role, made just the same mistake. Loftus-Cheek did not provide that defensive cover (he was the ideal person), but it seems he is not suitable for that role nor the role of a no.8 or 10. He is one player I would sell and get a better midfielder. There is nothing wrong with Thiaw (although I agree, he should have cleared the ball on the first goal – but it usually happens to the best defenders).
In what parallel universe Calabria has a better rating than Leao? SM is a f joke