Player Ratings: Monza 4-2 AC Milan – Pulisic show not enough; Jovic disgrace

AC Milan suffered a tough 4-2 defeat against Monza and thus failed to reclaim second place in the standings. Individual mistakes were largely at fault and below are the player 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

Maignan (5.5): Granted that he couldn’t do much about the first three goals of the game, he really should have done better on the fourth. He has let in a few similar goals this season as well and it’s a weakness he must work on.

Florenzi (6): A really good cross for Pulisic, who then assisted Giroud, saves the veteran’s rating here. In fairness, he was decent overall even if there were some questionable moments at the back, and certainly not the cause for the defeat.

Thiaw (3.5): That was rough. He committed two inexplicably poor fouls in quick succession, one of which was inside the box and resulted in a penalty. Then, he was beaten easily for the second goal and didn’t do particularly well on the third either. He’s clearly not in match fitness yet.

Gabbia (6): It was far from anything spectacular from him tonight, but he had some good moments with some interceptions and a few crucial blocks in front of goal.

Hernandez (5.5): Not the Theo we are used to seeing, finding himself turning back too many times and misplacing a few passes as well. His position could have been better for sure, but that might be more of a tactical matter.

Bennacer (5.5): He looked okay, perhaps, but struggled to have an impact on the game with his passing. We all know what he’s capable of on a good day but this was not it.

Adli (5): Way too many poor passes from the Frenchman tonight and lost quite a few duels as well. It was right to take him off at half-time.

Chukwueze (5.5): It was a very bright start for him, creating a good chance as well, but then faded as the first half went on and was rightfully taken off.

Loftus-Cheek (5.5): Apart from a few header attempts in the box, and a nice run here and there, he wasn’t really that incisive tonight. He can do much more.

Okafor (5): Struggled on the left flank, only taking on his man a few times and with no real end product either. He needs to start showing a lot more.

Jovic (2.5): Izzo often plays on the temperament of his opponent and Jovic fell right into that trap. Under no circumstances can you do what the Serbian did, and he knows it too. It cost Milan the game as well, knowing that they were able to score twice with ten men.

Substitutes

Pulisic (7.5 – MOTM): A very good display off the bench by the American, assisting Giroud with a nice flick-on and scoring a fantastic equaliser himself. It’s a shame that it wasn’t enough for at least a point, he would have deserved it.

Leao (5.5): After the goal against Rennes, and the good performance overall, we expected more from him tonight as he just had no success on the left flank.

Reijnders (6): Came on and dictated the player quite well, also covering a lot of ground.

Giroud (6.5): A great goal, using his striker’s instincts, but he struggled a bit besides that. He could have done better in the hold-up play, but he still deserves praise for that goal.

Musah (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.

The manager

Pioli (5.5): Even though individual mistakes cost Milan the game, five changes to the XI were simply too many and the Rossoneri also could have had a better tactical approach. The subs nearly got Milan a point, yes, but they were obvious subs to make.