AC Milan clinched three very important points against Lecce this evening, coming back from 2-0 down in the second half. A couple of players did well, including Christian Pulisic, and below are the ratings for the Rossoneri.
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
Sportiello (6): The veteran could do nothing about the goals conceded, as the defenders left him exposed, so we can’t exactly blame him for those. He had very good positioning, though, averting a couple of dangerous balls over the top. So it was enough to get a pass here.
Walker (5.5): Overall, you could argue that it was a decent performance seeing as he had some good passes in the build-up, not just going back all the time. However, he lost a couple of 1v1s and also had some poor crosses in attack, hence the slightly worse rating.
Gabbia (5.5): He was really unlucky not to get a goal, truth be told, as it was ruled out for a narrow offside by VAR. In defence, meanwhile, he wasn’t his usual self as Krstovic clearly won the battle tonight. The academy product even failed with some tackles that usually are very easy for him.
Thiaw (5.5): A very poor clearance int he first half, resulting in a dangerous chance for Lecce, is perhaps what most fans remember from this game. In addition to that, though, he also wasn’t too convincing tonight and the passing was far from perfect.
Hernandez (6.5): Given just how poor he has been in recent months, we must give him praise here. He was really unlucky not to get two great assists, with the goals ruled out for narrow offsides, and he had a few more good crosses after that. Lecce did create some good chances on his flank so it pulls down the rating a little, but it definitely wasn’t bad from him tonight.
Musah (6): He looked composed this evening and almost always made the right decisions, usually playing it simple rather than attempting something silly. His movement in attack also helped Milan open up space a lot, even if he missed a good header in the second half.
Bondo (5.5): It was his debut tonight and with that in mind, he actually did well for the most part and looked composed on the ball. However, his defensive work on the second goal was far from good enough, first tracking back to cover the right flank. He then switched with Walker but still failed to cover the central area, where he should have been.
Jimenez (5.5): It wasn’t great from the Spaniard, but seeing as he only got 45 minutes, we didn’t exactly see any big mistakes from him either. He just wasn’t that involved in the game, that’s all.
Reijnders (5.5): It was a big mistake on the first goal from him, with a really poor pass, but he picked himself up after that and was involved in some good attacks. Especially on the second goal, helping get the ball to Abraham who found Pulisic (who won a penalty).
However, he also jogged back on Lecce’s second, when he could’ve intercepted the ball, so we cannot give him a pass. Maybe he even deserved a 5?
Pulisic (8 – MOTM): Back to his best, finally. He has had some subpar performances – by his standards – in recent weeks so tonight’s display was really nice. He was involved in almost everything positive going forward, and we’re not just saying that because of the goals.
The move before the first disallowed goal and a few good crosses attest to his importance. It was a great little touch to put it past Baschirotto as well when he won the penalty, and the strike was brilliant. Just as the shot on the winner was easy because of his great run.
Gimenez (5): This is a tough one, as anyone could see that he got a bit unlucky in a few moments (Falcone with a great save in the first half on a backheel). However, He saw Theo all the way on the first goal and definitely should have been able to stay onside, even if the actual offside was narrow in the end.
He wasted a few good chances after that, including in the second half, even if the post denied him once. More so than the missed chances, though, it’s the fact that he didn’t look at all in sync with his teammates in open play.
Substitutes
Leao (7): He wasn’t brilliant by any means at the start of the second half, but as we have seen so many times before, he ended up being decisive anyway. Two assists, for the first goal and for the winner, as well as some good play to defend the lead.
Joao Felix (6): Conceicao’s favourite perhaps added a bit of ability in possession but truth be told, his shot was lucky to end up in the back of the net (Milan’s first goal). Still, he made the run and it ended up mattering for the game so we’ll give him a pass here.
Abraham (6.5): The Englishman was involved in the first two goals, first passing to Leao on the flank and then hitting it one-time for Pulisic before the penalty was won. He played it simple and it was just what Milan needed.
Fofana (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.
Sottil (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.
I hope this win does not buy Conceicao any more time. He should be fired immediately.
Tammy should be starting over Giminez. Giminez is a good finisher but is totally reliant on others and he doesn’t offer anything else. Not a good passer and his touch is like Lukaku.
Tammy can create for himself and others, is a better dribbler and passer and was involved in 2 of the goals today.
Bonds looked decent. Reijnders looked terrible. As did Felix.
Theo continues to be awful.
Gabbia was terrible on the first goal.
Team is still a mess.
Conceicao out.
i hope this buys Conceicao more time. i like how he considers the importance of basics and also things outside of football. but then he seems to have also some very clear tactical ideas – e.g. bringing Sottil as RB was a masterpiece because at that time Lecce was not much in possession and not much attacking, so RB had not much to do defensively except being fast to intercept counters and in possession we had an additional RW which gave Puli more freedom and finally broke Lecce.
Theo has had his worst season this time. But don’t get at him this time. He was more focused than usual this time and if it wasn’t for those two offside goals, he would had two assists.
Theo clearly enjoyed not having to defend for two in the 1st half.
I’m not sure Gimenez is a finisher. His first touch sucked and put a header in.
Another knee jersey reaction from this websites resident Fonseca lover. Calm your boy teets. No point in having to pay out another manager this late into the season. We have 2 months left. Nobody is saving the mess the ownership put us in. Stop trying to take pressure of them every comment. You cry about nothing but the current coach and it’s obvious why, little shill
striker is basically meant to finish rather have a striker than can finish but not create than to have have a st thata can create but not finish
Abraham can create and finish. 90% of the goals I’ve seen Gimenez score in Milan are tap ins that most strikers will finish.
If Abraham was on from the beginning, he wouldn’t have been offsides on the tap in and would have helped the team in the build up.
Wtf lol really?
Yes really. Gimenez has a tendency of being offside. Abraham doesn’t. You also saw what Abraham did in 30 minutes.
Gimenez doesn’t have the facilities for that with his poor touch and mediocre football IQ. You can’t blame him though. Milan is a big step for him.
Buddy, I’ve watched Abraham screw up 90% of his chances this season. He’d do no better. Calm down
The first action Tammy did was being almost 10m offside. 😀 😀 😀
Well, at least they didn’t lay down and quit. They kept fighting.
Another game where individual mistakes put Milan behind. Reijnders signs a new contract and puts a horrendous performance.
Gabbia was awful on both Lecce goals.
Good game of the bench for Leao. Theo also had a good game. Pulisic finally has a good game under Conceição.
Hopefully they will show pride and finish this season in a good way.
Problem for Reijnders he keeps playing him in midfield instead of attacking midfielder.
Joao Felix missed 100 % pure chance. That Reijnders would score. Felix had luck. So in midfield we must use Musah Fofana Bondo and tomorrow one more defensive midfielder purely in defence. Reijnders is all rounder but his prime is attack.
It doesn’t matter where he plays Reijnders, his passing was awful today. That had nothing to do with the positioning. Pass the ball to your teammate not the opponent.
It does have. If he is behind central forward- it gives him more space to make mistake, and to try to shoot. He is designed to score.
We must have 2 midfielders who are going to cover spots when our attacking oriented players made mistake.
Why Pioli was successful? He used best quality in players. That means he used workers as Krunic Saelemaekers Messias to cover holes when defending.
Did you see or not see Reijnders make a awful pass that led to the 1st Lecce goal? That had nothing to do with him playing as an attacking midfielder or in the double pivot.
I don’t care what position you play, pass the ball to the players that wear the same jerseys as you do.
Reijnders makes those dumb a$$ passes or tries to overdribble when he plays as an attacking midfielder as well when he plays in double pivot. The coach has nothing to do with it.
Yes dude you need to realise. Any player in world can’t be perfect. There must be room for mistakes. That’s why you always use players by their characteristics… If Leao can do good in attack and be fast, he must have room in defence in kind that other players play more defensive. It is same thing with Reijnders.
When he lose ball, Fofana, Bondo, centre backs must be able to cover that up immediately.
Yeah I agree, his performance today had nothing to do with where he was positioned. And he was very bad, for sure. But overall he has had a fantastic season and is clearly our best midfielder
Also… Didn’t he start as a #10 anyway and put on an absolutely disgusting show. His passing was a disgrace.
So to finish my tought:
Fofana Musah and Bondo can’t score – so guys think about defence. If they go in attack theirs primary tought must be defence – ne matter who lose the ball these 3 guys and tomorrow new defensive midfielder must come back first. Even before centre backs if they are went high.
I bet, if any coach used Tomori as defensive midfielder we would concede so many goals.
*Less goals
May be we should still sell Leao, right?
The drawback of this team remains the very little things the players refuse to do, from simple passing, to the refusal of players to make simple passes to thier best available teammates, Joa felix, Reindjers are culprits of this and it’s so nauseating.
If we can fix the basic things, this team can go far and another thing is I don’t know how our players ain’t able to control the ball.
DAVE …… AGREE 100%
I can’t blame the coach when players can’t do the basic things they were suppose to learn in the academy. It’s as basic as it can get. Toady alone felix decided to dribble into a wall of players than slot a simple pass to Leao, I was furious, the coach can’t think for thses players they have to show up.
Yeah Reijnders has fallen in love with his own dribbling and holding on to the ball when he should make the pass.
You watch and talk football with sense, not like some that watch the back of the TV e.g Bb. Nice one sir
And this is 1000%
“simple passing, to the refusal of players to make simple passes to thier best available teammates, Joa felix, Reindjers are culprits of this and it’s so nauseating.”
It completely kills the rhythm of the game.
Yet another poor performance against a bottom tier team. I’m happy for the win but our transition defense is scary to watch. Pulisic does everything for Milan, our most impactful and important player. Forza Milan🔴⚫️
Honestly if they decide to dismiss Conceição despite the win, I would fully understand.
We don’t have defence. Defence team play.
Our midfielders are not good in attack (except of Reijnders) so they need to play defence.
Musah, Fofana probably tomorrow Bondo they must be fully concentrated to defence specially when they have us on counter. Our 2 defender plus 2 midfielder must always be present defensively so when we lose ball, we have 4 in defending. We have 2 overly attacking wingers plus central forward so someone needs to cover that.
The other problem is we’re playing a fairly high backline, our CBs need to have enough pace to track back. Gabbia doesn’t have that pace, and Tomori is out of favor.
Straight forward football with a
4-4-2 formation, please…….
I have always maintained the our weakest links are Theo and Jimenez. The coach should always start the game with our best team. Milan concedes too easily. The first rule is NOT to concede! Bartesaghi or Florenzi if he was fit should have started at RB. Theo has been leaking like a sieve and most of the team put pressure there. Until and unless he is replaced Milan will continue to concede easily. Forget about his overlapping runs which most of the time end up in losing the ball to the opponent or he needlessly falls down. Jimenez didn’t contribute anything at RW. He can’t even cross balls into the penalty area to find his own colleagues. Why waste 45 minutes on a player that could not produce any impact. I also agree with those calling for the sacking of the coach. Another thing I observed was that Milan players lose the ball easily and finds it difficult to pass the ball well. Reijnders and Felix hold on needlessly to the ball for too long and lose it easily to the opponent. Our first touch of the ball is also amateur and problematic. We can’t even win 50-50 balls.
Bondo is just coming back from injury and not match fit, you could tell he faded in the second half. Really encouraging first half tho, he could be a nice piece for us
Isak where is conceicao rating?
Conceicao doesn’t know what he is doing at all in Milan, he has lost the dressing room. We need new coach.
How has the coach lost the dressing room when the team came back from 2:0 down?
If he has lost the dressing room they wouldn’t have fought back to win the game, instead they would have lost so they can get rid of the coach.
Good point actually.
Guess some of the players have some pride left in them.
Gimenez is much better in the box than outside. No need for him to be involved in the build up or supporting the wings. Gabbia’s agent makes noise and that’s the performance gabbia gives, 5.5 was generous. Finally Milan gets a lucky bounce. I hope this leads to some more consistent play.
A few thoughts…
*I think it is clear Tammy should start…for his link up play alone. The team is more in sync when he plays. Gimenez would be more effective hunting goals against tired legs anyways.
*It really is time for Reijnders to get a rest. He seems exhausted, he could be blamed for both goals.
*Do we have one midfielder who can play a line breaking pass? I feel this team has 3 good passers…Laeo, Theo, and Pulisic…Tammy is ok at link up play passing. Ultimately it means we can not create through the middle of the field.
*Felix plays arrogantly, and not in a good way. He holds the ball way too long, and is another player incapable of making one touch passes.
*I would much rather find a coach and a sporting director that builds a team around Laeo’s skills knowing he has a lack of hustle, than to have a Milan team without him at all. He can make a difference.
*I know everyone is going to blame Theo and Gabbia on the first goal…and they deserve some blame, but where were the midfielders? They can’t all be in attacking positions, especially since no one other than Reijnders has shown an ability to score…..STAY BACK!
*Pulisic is cold blooded. Having said that I do not think the team (other than Laeo and Theo look for Pulisic in the box…given the last 1-1/2 how is that possible?
*Pioli>Fonseca>Serge. Can we please play as a deeper lying counter attacking team? It suits our skills. Other than Tammy and maybe Tomori because of his speed, do we have one player who thrives in a high pressing system?
I like tammy’s effort but as starter he tends to not perform well.
He’s a great substitute at this point in his career. At least on this team.
Give pulisc the ball in the box all day every day. He tastes blood when he’s in there. That should be the mantra of this coach.
Abraham has performed well as a starter except for a few games when the whole team was dominated. In his last starts he bagged 2 against Roma and played okay vs Empoli before being subbed at half to make room for Gimenez.
“Give pulisc the ball in the box all day every day. He tastes blood when he’s in there”
Also, did you see his crosses? Others should watch and learn. Basically every single ball he played in the box were dangerous and especially Gimenez should have scored the header.
strongly agree with the first 4 points.
Not sure about the point about building around Leao. I would have thought that is mostly what we have done for the last 3-4 years.
He was really good tonight when he came on. Two quality crosses that lead to goals.
A lot of really good points here, but no way Tammy is a starter.
Right. The guy who has been starting and scoring in the Serie A for multiple seasons isn’t a starter, but a young Mexican forward from a weaker league should start every game without question. Makes sense
Jimenez was terrible. So, it was just 45 mins, they weren’t good minutes. He’s way too selfish.
This coach is a buffoon! When you are desperate after having lost three in a row, why on earth do you start a mediocre player like Jimenez over Leao? Pure pride and foolishness.
Saying Reijnders jogging back is fair enough, but why does Theo not get that critisizm? He looked unfit and was jogging back every time he went forward(which wasnt often? I know we det Reijnders to a different standard because we should. He is oyr best and most consistent player, by far. But stop letting theo and the gang off because they have had a bad period(2 years?). Set him to the same standard.
This is funny, outside the goal which was a lack of communication from gabbia and Theo, Gabbia was actually solid, especially in the sec half he was everywhere and dictating the defense. The second goal can’t be blamed on him when they walk right by the midfield. The defense has no support and are constantly bombarded. Also thiaw, gabbia and walker kept slipping, idk if it was raining but that was a problem all game.
I think the first goal is more Jimenez fault than Tiji. Jimenez made a nonsense forward movement.
Bondo is encouraging, he looks a more composed and precise player compared to Fofana. More suited as n6.
I agree. Tiji was talking to him after the goal. Reading lips I believe he said, ‘wtf were you doing? ‘ That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Another game in which we dig ourselves into a hole and then somehow manage to extricate ourselves from it. That said, I’m very pleased for the coach that we won, because he isn’t the problem at our club – it’s the people above him who are the culprits. Until the ownership changes, there will be more days like this.
The coach is 100% the problem. The fact that we get completely outplayed in the first half of every match and even when we win we have to come from behind to do it shows that his gameplans and tactics are wrong in every match.
And all of a sudden it’s no longer Théo the problem…
No, Theo is a huge problem and what does this idiot coach do? He makes him Captain…
The least deserving person to wear the armband. Didn’t bench him after the Feyenoord disaster. And after his terrible effort last week that led to a goal , he makes him captain. Clueless, gutless coach.
Théo was always a captain under Fonseca and was benched only 2 times (I’m not counting the first game of the season).
He wasn’t sanctioned either after the Lazio cooling break incident nor after Fiorentina.
Conceição is bad, but to pretend this is so much different from what we previously had is blindless or lying.
Inter’s also coming from behind, but with more class ig.
Do you ever stop trying to defend this worthless ownership??? Seriously buddy, you might as well be spinning in it at this rate…
I can’t accept the two goals Kristovic scored, no one thiaw or gabbia man to man marking. The transition from attack to defense was very messy. all the midfielders were amateurs because they couldn’t track back. It’s easy to point to sarge as the cause of the tactical failure
Yes he could easily score 2 more.
2 losses in 37 or so games against Lecce…..Sarge said hold my beer 🤣🤣🤣
Bondo was doing great until the second goal. On that play, he did well to cover for Walker but strolled back to defend the middke of the pitch. I was screaming at the tv for him to cover the middle….the pass came in and boom.
However I liked mostly everything else about him….given it’s his first game, new teammates etc. He goes too much forward though so he’s more like a mezzala but has the skill to be more a defensive mid. He’s Kessie-lite right now, locks included 😁.
In Fifa where they list positions played and then right at the end there’s a weird RB/LB on an attacker. That has to be Sarge’s thinking for putting Sottil at right back. It’s such a waste. Terrribleciano is a right back and was on the bench available 🤷♂️.
Finally I’ll say we need to give our other GKs game time. We have a backup GK coming in with poor match sharpness (not absolving him for the error on goal though). All other teams above us bar Roma has their backup keeper with hundreds of minutes under their belt. Ours have less than a game.
Also I don’t understand the Leao hate but maybe that’s for another time
Anyways good luck to Sarge and all the best for the team but at this point if we can’t salvage anything, just play some more youths
“Even a fit and sharp Mike Maignan couldn’t save that!”
THE. F’IN. COMMENTATOR said that about the first goal, I forgot the second, though.
There’s no contribution from our midfield because we have no midfielders who are able to pass or create anything. All we have are a bunch of runners and ball carriers who know how to run with the ball but the moment they need to do something with it, they stutter. Either hold on to it for too long or overdribble. And then we’re left exposed when we lose the ball because they’re not skilled in defensive positioning either.
We have no midfield for any kind of system.
Our midfield cost 100m and is still not functional smh
Poorly assembled. Players brought in for the wrong roles…
Fully agree. The way the midfield is build makes this team almost untrainable. Bondo gives me some hope, he is composed with ball and does not take stupid risk. But we need at least 2 proper ball playing holding midfields and get rid of Fofana and Musah. Fofana entered the pitch and the first thing he did was nonsense long ball in the middle of nowhere.
Such a strange match.
We looked so much better with Abraham up front. He is able to inter play with his team mates match better. His pass wide to space put Leao in a great position to create the own goal. That was a bad miss from Felix. In that sense we were very lucky to start the come back.
Gimenez must go to the bench for the next game.
Pulisic was the best player by some margin. Leao did add a lot in the second half.
Jimenez was a poor choice to start. He looked lost.
A full week training and we almost lost to Lecce who sit at 16th. Yeah, Conceicau is done. Time for a new manager.
Honestly, I don’t understand why cant we consider switching to the 3-4-3, 3-4-1-2 system? we have 4 very good cbs, walker and theo can cover the flanks. leao can play alongside either Gimenez or abraham.
gabia —- thiaw —– pavlovic
walker —- fofana —- tijani —- theo
pulisic —- gimenez —- leao
gabia —- thiaw —– pavlovic
walker —- fofana —- tijani —- theo
pulisic
gimenez —- leao
felix , bondo, abraham, musah, jimenez can join from bench in other variations
I’m blown away that people think Theo had a good game. How far this guy has fallen!
He was much better by recent standards.
I see your point though. Him not majorly stuffing up or being lazy is cause for celebration.
🥺
How many seasons we’ve been watching this team remain absolutely useless in transition… Ever since Pioli. And still we can’t get it fixed. Our midfield melts like Gelato in the sun. Blows my mind.
Our midfield can’t control sh!t. Bondo was OK. Fofana and musah ain’t it. This position needs to be beefed up dramatically. Keep Reijnders from having to defend, that isn’t his forte. We need Kessie profiles.
Leao is honestly only good coming off the bench. I think Sergio should keep playing him like that. Good to see Puli make the difference again.
Ricci would be a suitable profile for Milan, as he is good at ball retention. I would play with a midfield of 3, where Fofana/Bondo is more defensive, Reijnders more attacking and Ricci something in the middle. If the midfield can’t control the rhythm of the game, things like Milan’s current situation happen.
100%
I think Rovella is much better than Ricci, but Ricci would be already a significant help.
I think we may need 2 midfields, I don’t know if I trust Fofana as starter. He is too poor with the ball.
Rovella’s stats you could make a case for playing him over musah although musah’s are wacky because he’s playing several positions. Ricci doesn’t have anything that he does better than Musah (statistically)…but it’s again hard to compare when players are on different teams and playing different roles. I agree that Fofana has too many turnovers to play that position and defensively doesn’t time his challenges very well. I like those players more.
When people hear yall talk about Kessie you would think he currently plays for Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern, Man City or some top European team. Lmao. That dude is not good and that’s why no big team wants him.
Pair Tammy and Santi in front, change tactic and formation.
Goals before Leão sub, zero and after three. Leão changes the dynamic of each match.
Yeah remember when Leao being sub in for portugal NT, he changed the dynamic also.
Milan should have scored 3 or 4 goals before Leao came on.
Miss chances happen every match. How many goals does this team have with Leão on the bench?
AC looked determined for this game and came out like hungry vultures. A very good game overall and even at 2-0 down didn’t look like the losing team. Hope the can continue on today’s game approach and results will definitely come their way. Forza Milan
Hey where is Maldini’s Heir after this game?
I bet he was all primed with ammunition until the comeback succeeded.
His new club Como could only manage a draw with 19th placed Venezia.
Can someone tell me if Musah is forced starter on the couch. Why would Concecao replace Bennacer with Musah.
I am afraid because be he is American, Cardinale force him on the starter formation.
No one can because it makes zero sense. Some say he’s got potential but the fact is that “potential” does nothing on the pitch. “Potential” is just an excuse.
Because this seasons Bennacer was not close to the Bennacer from 2-3 seasons ago. He looked slow and lacked sharpness.
I thought Pulisic played well but a 8 rating might be two generous may be a 7, at least we did not watch players hit sky balls 30 meters over the goal. Also I thought the official did a good job.
As much as the coach is trying to get the right balance, the quest to win far outweighs that, and it is making him impatient with the players. A lot them are not helping matters at all. Yesterday, there were so many wrong passes from Reijnders, Gimenez and Joao Felix. Even when Fofana starts, the result is no different. Worse still is the damage this does. When we lose the ball, there’s no midfielder to help defend. They always leave the defense exposed. Can’t blame Gabbia for any of the goals. Last week, Pavlovic got a red card after Fofana lost the ball. It’s a familiar pattern now, so much so that minnows like Lecce can score against us easily. Conceicao needs a midfielder that will stay to support the defense. If he has to push forward at any time, another one has to withdraw. It’s sickening watching our defenders running back like this all the time, while the midfielders trail the opponents. We conceded 2 cheap goals yesterday.
Amen and Amen! If Mids spent more time passing to attacking players rather than dribbling into the teeth of the tiger, the defense would not be as so easily defeated.
In football you need intelligence and magic touches Which Abraham I’d every good at . Milan requires playmakers who can change a game in miracle time . Leo, Pulsic , Abraham are dangerous combination . Lastly , Milan’s defence must improve they have conceded many goals they shouldn’t have .