AC Milan clinched all three points away at Napoli in spectacular fashion as they found the back of the net four times. All of the players impressed and down below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri.
Starting XI
Maignan (6.5): He didn’t really get tested this evening, apart from a couple of good saves. And Milan didn’t rely on him solely in the build-up phase either.
Calabria (7): He did well to neutralise Kvaratskhelia, even if the latter didn’t seem to have the best of games. He also got the assist for Milan’s fourth goal, even if that was mostly Saelemaekers’ doing.
Kjaer (8): Just like against Spurs, he was brilliant this evening. Commanded the aerial space and did well in the duels. His passing was also very important for Milan as even in pressed situations, they found a way out.
Tomori (7.5): He read the game very well and seemed to be in the right position for every situation. He made one really good sliding block in the second half and showed just how good he can be.
Hernandez (7.5): The Frenchman didn’t get a goal or an assist this evening, but man was he good. He ran up and down the flank and was very successful with his moves, also elevating Leao.
Krunic (7.5): The Bosnian played in a more defensive role this evening (contrary to previous reports) and he did really well. He won the ball back several times and didn’t shy away from the duels. He could have been better in possession at times, but often did really well with the ball too.
Tonali (8): Sandro is back. It was a tremendous display in the defensive phase and Milan’s third goal was a prime example of that, winning the ball back after a tough duel and then setting up Leao with a lovely pass.
Diaz (8.5 – MOTM): What a game from the Spaniard. His quick feet were showcased on the first goal (with a lovely assist) and he then calmly slotted home the second. After tonight’s display, one can understand why Real Madrid want him back.
Bennacer (7.5): Most of us thought he would be in the tandem, but he did really well in the No.10 role instead. He helped set up the second goal and was always available (more or less) when his teammates needed an option going forward. This game was won in the midfield.
Leao (8.5): Rafa is back. We finally got to see him on the left wing again and he really showed why that is his best position. It was a lovely dink to open the scoring and his second goal was even better.
Giroud (7): No goal for him tonight, but he did come close as Meret made an impressive reflex save from close range. He won tons of duels, though, and his one-touch passing game was on point tonight.
Substitutes
Saelemaekers (8): He looked like Messi out there tonight as he scored a lovely solo-run goal. He then attempted a long-range effort that forced a good save out of Meret. Above all, though, he was always present and found a way out of the press.
Rebic (N/A): He didn’t play enough to get a rating.
Origi (N/A): He didn’t play enough to get a rating.
Bakayoko (N/A): He didn’t play enough to get a rating.
De Ketelaere (N/A): He didn’t play enough to get a rating.
even if Napoli go on to win the league this season, we can proudly say that we beat them 0-4 at their home.
what a perfect night!
Hell Yeah!
For a moment I thought Alexis got possessed by Maradona lmao
They will. Let ’em have their moment for one season. And let us have our moment by going further in UCL.
A great win I must say, goes to reveal the truth in what I have been saying. The midfield setup was great today and with Diaz joining to add numbers and fluidity to the play. Pioli should go and improve on the positive of today’s game. Diaz as RW has proved great before and it did also today. CDK seems lost and lacking what to do on the pitch. Pioli should look for a way as per instructions to get the most off him, maybe trying him as RW could help. Great team setup today and great win
Love Bennacer as a ten!
Looks like Pioli invented the false 10 position!
Some of us are called Football Manager fans for suggesting that playing Tonali-Bennacer-Krunic would hopefully prevents us getting overrun in the midfield. Well, today it shows that this idea works.
Yep!
Krunic as dm has been so foundamental. Ive said it from the beginning, even when pioli used to play him in an advanced position. He is our best dm in current squad. Look at the stats everytime he played there. It’s not an eye catching play but very efficiant. Also, what changed was that this time ben played more advanced and that worked, although i don’t think he is 100% fit yet. But yeah, the days when ben and tonali played in the same line should not come back.
He played there in previous seasons, and it was a total disaster. I am happy he sufficiently improved his skills.
My only issue with what was being suggested was that we’d have a really rigid 433. What we had tonight was so fluid. You couldn’t really even pick a formation. We moved from 433 to 4231 to a at one stage and maybe even a diamond!
Krunic is absolutely key. He hasn’t always been fit this season but Pioli has said he’s a big admirer.
No no, you’re still a Football Manager 😂😂😂
And criticisms were about formations not personnel
Perfect evening for rossoneri, although giroud can do much better. Bravo!!!
Diaz, saladmaker, leao what!!!!!!??? Where the hell have you been my beloved milan? Now that’s a textbook gameplay and performance. Team played close together and they fought and helped each other. That 1-2 passes in triangles were beautiful to watch. We’ve missed that for most of the season. Krunic as dm so so crucial. Allthough, not the best passer but he broke so many of napoli’s plays. Ben in advanced role paying its dividents. Still not 100% though, was running on fumes in secomd half. But pioli finally figured the midfield configuration out. Saladmaker, speechless. The boy was so motivated and looked like messi in his heyday. Leao looked like the real leao, hope he keeps it up we need him. Beautiful to watch. Defense solid. Calabria kept that georgian in check (with help from his teammates). Overall great performance throughout. Hope pioli keeps the same formation, especially midfield. Krunic as dm is a must, ive said it before. Congrats to the team and rossoneri fans. Hope we keep playing like this. Forzaa MILAN.
Absolute domination.
Milan 2 best performances in serie A this season came vs Napoli. This is why I wanted Napoli and only Napoli in the UCL QF. Under Pioli, Milan might have not always gotten the best result vs Napoli but they were always the better team. We are a bad match up for them
Great game by everyone.
Diaz started it all, nice finishing by Leao, but for me it was all about our midfield dominating theirs. Reason for it was that Pioli took Bennacer out of the double pivot and put him in that pseudo n10. Bennacer is technical and great at pressing but he lacks defensive positioning, and awareness and that hurts Milan when he is in double pivot.
And no, Osimhen playing wouldn’t have changed much because of how great Milan played in the midfield and the pressing.
If we lose to Napoli in UCL it would be a massive failure for me and not just because of this game.
Forza Milan
Agreed that osimhen missing the game wouldn’t have changed much. Also, the movement off the ball tonight was superb. There was no gap between the lines. Everyone helped everyone. We played short accurate passes. Beautiful triangle work. 1-2 passes was just beautiful. Even that chance that giroud missed by little was a classic super build up. Fast 1-2 passes. They say that the 1st game against napoli was our best performance l, this was way better. Not just because of the result but the overall performance.
No, pls, Bakayoko should get a rating….a rating of -5. Damn, he was horrible in the 10mins played! Almost cost us with his very first touch…… Rebic just keeps getting worst! Origi? what an experience player playing like a novice, a beginner! He should jog back to England
Yeah. Last 10 minutes we played like 8 vs 11. Even my grandma could play better than Origi and Baka last night. I would prefer Pioli let Adli and Vranckx in.
Agree they all had plenty of time to show how bad they actually are. Milans’s first 11 is best in the league talent wise but we have 0 players on the bench except for Saledinho tonight 🤷🏻😀
I bet Pioli opted to bring in Origi & Bakayoko so that Milan would have an awful finish to the match and the players wouldn’t feel too confident in the UCL matches. Looks like it worked as Bakayoko wasn’t on the pitch for even a minute when he already gifted a great chance to Raspadori.
What kind of drug did they take before this match??? Tomori was perfect after weeks of disastrous performances. Tonali and Calabria are back to their best all of a sudden. Leao looked like the MVP he was last year after 2 months of walking around. Even Alexis turned into Messi! If we keep playing like this, we should easily finish in the top 4 and might even make the Champions League final.
I’m buying a turtle neck.
fantastic match by everyone and sure giroud missed a few chances but overall everyone can look at themselves with some pride today and the result is one for the books. Hopefully we will take this fighting spirit with us from now on both in serie a and the cl quarter finals
A warning to Napoli and book markers in the champions League QF
Alexis was like, Diaz gonna take my spot? Nah man, I’m give the coach something to think about.. played like a man possessed
Yes you are right
Perhaps Berlusconi was right today….such a strange season for milan top class performance at one moment then god knows what creeps in……Well we certainly won’t be push overs in last 8’s of champions league after tonight performance….how on God’s earth we are 20 points behind napoli is a mystery…but well done guys well done….
2023 is most overhyped team in a decade…
And just like that the defense is solid again with Kjaer in it. I said before Kalulu is not for CB, his bad positioning is leaving holes and exposing everyone else. Both Tomori and Calabria look compleatly different with Kjaer next to them.
Exactly. A coincidence that the defense looked really solid since ages and Kjaer was once again the leader in the backline? H*ll no.
Let’s not ignore the fact that midfield was also solid firs time since Atalanta game … When we get overrun in midfield Tomori get’s exposed by his deep runs but tonight Krunić covered that space beautifully.
It was a match where EVERYTHING worked. We played as a team – for once.
Amazing performance!
Diaz was worldclass.
Leao wow.
Tonali outstanding
etc etc
Even Alexis turned into Maradona!
2 more of those please!
4-2-3-1 and Leao out wide left. End of story. If Pioli goes back to the 3-4-2-1 I will join the #PioliOut club.
The other confirmation is that was should only have one of Tomori or Kalulu as the CB pairing in a back 4, not both. They are too similar in style, mentality and physique. They need to be complemented by taller, less aggressive and more tactically aware partners.
3-4-2-1 gave Milan wins over Spurs and a couple of wins in the league. The formation isn’t wrong or useless but it’s the players who made blunders.
Pioli used a 433 formation against Napoli. With Krunic playing alongside Tonali and Bennacer. However, Bennacer was given more freedom to progress the ball forward.
Diaz played RW but like Leão he was given the freedom to move inside whenever there was space.
I’ve been saying this all season. Milan need to play 433. Without Tonali, Bennacer and Krunic in the midfield we will have defensive problems.
There is no use of going back to 4231 or 3421. 433 is the best formation for the players we have in the squad.
“Fluid” 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, whatever. The point for me is Leao is wide left and/or running into space. Not playing behind the striker in some weird attacking midfield/false trequartista role. He needs open field in from of him.
Some of us have been asking for Kjaer on the pitch to fix the leaking defense for quite some time now. Pioli should have done that waaaay sooner.
I am kind of lost what did they had like every guy each one of them performed better than others…alexis got possessed by messi….leao since Jan 15 no goals today he bossed everyone as if he wasn’t having any issues at all…this team is unpredictable… isma swapping places with krunic worked perfectly may be because of being left footer but than was some move….that pressing was amazing I don’t think any team would survive that what we saw in first half….
I bet that now, the folks in Naples who cheered when they drew us for the UCL quarterfinals are felling a little unsettled, LOL.
Great exhibition today. For the first time this season, all 11 starters + Saelemaekers got from FotMob a “green” score of 7.0 or higher. Great collective exhibition; everybody did well. Certainly Krunic as DM, Ben as CAM, Rafa back to LW, and Brahim as RW worked very well. Players who have been harshly criticized here lately, such as Rafa, Tomori and Tonali, were fabulous today. Rafa, Brahim and Saelemaekers were out of this world! Congrats, Milan! Keep it up!
This said, Napoli remain dangerous and apparently Osimhen’s recovery is going faster than anticipated and he will play both legs of the UCL quarterfinals against us. So, despite this great evening when everything went our way, let’s not underestimate Napoli!
But we certainly did show that we can prevail against Napoli; Forza Milan!
Well he did return 3 man defence to solidify the back line remember we were leaking goals…yes our forwards line suffered but that was need of the hour. A good coach should have tendency to change tactics play with two systems atleast….but pioli in game setup amazing he picked his spots perfectly…but I still believe kalulu should be there for champions league in place for calabria….
This evening Calabria did a great job on locking down Kvara and also gave assist for Alexis goal.
I still believe on Calabria because he have better defense than Kalulu.
He’s also our captain….
Didn’t doubt it for a second that Calabria couldn’t keep Kvara quiet – just like he did last time. He knows how to defend. But when he’s with the ball… Well… Yesterday he was surprisingly good at that too.
calabria has pretty much nullified Kvaratskhelia in both matches we have played against napoli this season as we was extremely unlucky losing the first match hitting the woodwork several times.
Can we give Maldini a rating for putting Spoletti in his place at halftime.
Dam it’s good to have Paolo Maldini in that situation. They all grovel before him
I wanted to make a few utterances about today’s masterpiece, but then I realized my words were feeble and insufficient to describe the whole beauty of it 🥰
You think Pioli will realize that Milan’s defense looks so much better when Kjaer plays? Probably not.
Will all of the Brahim haters on here who keep wanting to see CDK starting over him finally shut the f up. You sound foolish. He’s had several great performances this season and even when he doesn’t play well he gives 110% every time unlike CDK. Who hangs his head and walks.
Are you ever happy?
I’m happy when Milan win trophies. This was a great game but this does not resemble the team that we have seen for most of this season. One win does not erase the terrible performances against the likes of Udinese, Sampdoria, Cremonese, Sassuolo,etc… It only makes those performances more frustrating and puzzling.
Isn’t your boy Diaz a big reason for those poor performances?
No, not really. Like I said he’s been overall pretty good this year. More of the problem falls on Tonali and the midfield getting dominated every week and the over-aggressive defending of Tomori and Kalulu getting exposed.
Diaz is the link between midfield and attack though and he fails regularly against these poor teams. I think he’s been below average more often than not. I do think he does better with space and out wide where he can isolate defenders more easily.
Like they did last season?
The club is way ahead where we expected them to be by now but I’m sure you’re done better (in Football Manager).
Stop with this tired old line that they are “way ahead of where we expected them to be.” Like they are some mid-level Sassuolo or Torino type team. Milan is one of the biggest most successful clubs in the world. They should be competing for trophies every year. The fact of the matter is that they have taken a step backwards this season, both in strength of the squad and in performance. One good win does not change that.
Anything to add about Tonali while you’re at it?
Yeah, he finally played a good game. Good for him. Now if he do it on a consistent basis then he might be worth the hype. The trouble with Tonali is that he needs someone alongside of him do the dirty work(Kessie, Krunic) when he is the one who should be doing it because he doesn’t offer much going forward.
You’re impossible.
Just “try” to enjoy a win and appreciate “your” players for a change.
One if not the best Milan performance in this season. Great job by Pioli and the boys!
I hope this result could STFU some people in here who keeps overpraising Napoli and Kvara like they are some unbeatable team.
Funny how those fools like @bb and @20&8 – are no where to be found on this post?? Wonder why that is???? Cannot find anything negative to say about Leao? LOLOLOLO.
THAT is why you do NOT sell Leao for pennies on the dollar this summer when you can resign him for a few more years.
THAT is why he is not so easily replaceable.
THAT is why you must continue to play him because he can change a game in an instant.
THAT is why you pay him as one of the highest paid players on Serie A and secure your biggest asset so you can sell him in a few years time for a hefty sum.
THAT is why donkeys like @bb and @20&8 and all of the other Leao haters don’t understand football and don’t understand why Milan want to resign him and why Pioli continues to play him.
when it mattered most he showed up and delivered and outplayed Krava (who was virtually non-existent). Now does Leao have to continue with performances like this? Absolutely. He must be more consistent even he acknowledged that. But you don’t sell your most prized asset in the last year of his deal for peanuts because some fans are impatient. You resign him to 7.5M and watch him continue to grow and then you can sell in a few years time.
Kudos to Diaz who was stellar. As I said many times Tonali at his best when paired with a player who will do the dirty work like Kessie did – and that is Krunic. Benny behind the forwards was excellent holding play and distributing. We dominated the mid today. Kajer a commanding display. Calabria neutralized Krava. Everyone else solid – and Sales – LOL – looked like Kaka for split second 😝. Great win. Let’s hope we can keep the momentum for CL.
AND to all the Leao haters – pls STFU and enjoy the football and be happy we have such a talented player in our squad.
When was the last time we actually dominated the midfield? Not for a long time. Can’t agree more about midfield lineup tonight. Because the midfield tonight was so good, our defense looked solid again because because our midfield was good at sheilding them for the most part, hell even tomorri didn’t do those famous silly mistakes. Krunic role in dm is very under valued. He wont make any killer passes or pull a sladmaker tonight but he does enough to break opponent’s plays.
@Juro, I’d like to thank you for allowing me to live rent free in your head, I see you are still emotionally triggered from yesterday.
Also thank you for making my case about you being a Leao fanboy.
Milan has the best game of the season and all this fanboy can talk about is Leao.
Leao fanboys to me are like bears, they hibernate for a month while their idol is doo doo, then he has rare occasional occurrence, once a month a good game and they come out of their caves beating their chests and growling and then they go back into hibernation when leao goes back to being doo doo.
Leao can change the game at any point? The game was changed by Brahim Diaz and the great play of the midfield, but the fanboy will credit Leao. Most Milan fans was stunned that he actually finished that. The 2nd goal was again a counter attack, good finish to by your idol.
He stepped up when we need him the most? Did we not needed him the last 3 months or how about the UCL games? I guess we didn’t need to get results in those games.
That’s why Pioli continues to play him , ha ha ha did you forget that your man got subbed at half time and got benched for few games one of them being the derby vs Inter.
I’m happy Milan won for us, the Milan fans, and I’m happy for you because the player you are a fan boy off had his once a month good game.
In the meantime if you need to talk to me, you know where to find me, afterwards you do let me live there rent free.
Were you going for witty? Because you sound super insecure 🤣🤣🤣
Hahahahahaha – I think it’s @bb in disguise. Same BS comes out of this kids mouth. Terrible.
LOL. Well said. That Juro-kid really has severe mental issues. But I guess we two are really blessed to have so much attention and affection from the kid. He must think about us all the time. 😀
This is the moment to keep quiet mate. Choose your battles.
Yeah this guy Juro is a prat. Only shows up when Leao has a good game to talk about Leao. Otherwise he spends his time slamming the rest of the squad and other posters. As 20&8 said, Leao hasn’t had a game like this since last year, maybe even last season. BTW, Juro, Leao had a great game due to the tactical/formational change. He was played where he is bested suited to play. Good for him and for us, but it also shows his limitations, which in turn limit us to those formations to which he is best suited.
As Berlusconi said, Leao is like the former greats, he’s Balon D’or. Wingers who are 6ft 2in, quick and strong are rare.
Agree @MBM but idiots like @20&8 (who is likely @bb in disguise) think they know better lol. Clowns
So Leao plays the first decent match this year (and it’s April already) and Juro The Kid goes on a rampage on how great the love of his life his. LOL.
*is.
“Funny how those fools like @bb and @20&8 – are no where to be found on this post?? Wonder why that is???? Cannot find anything negative to say about Leao? LOLOLOLO.”
Some of us are adults and go to work. You’ll figure that out later in your life – if you’ll make it that far.
“THAT is why donkeys like @bb and @20&8 and all of the other Leao haters don’t understand football and don’t understand why Milan want to resign him and why Pioli continues to play him.”
Here we go again with the donkeys. Your obsession with those animals is beyond comprehension. Leao-haters? Naah, I prefere the term “Leao-realists”. We see him what he really is. A player who performs well once or twice and then disappears for a month or two.
Don’t understand football? LOL, says the 11-year-old kid who has never even kicked the ball.
“AND to all the Leao haters – pls STFU”
Like you Leao-fanboys did when he was his usual self for 2 months? LOL.
Def should sell leao after this season.. Boy comes and plays good only once every full moon.
If an unpredictable and inconsistent kid like him is the leader of milan atk milan will struggle season after season.
Im not the one to get hyped after one good performance among dozens of poor ones, where was he when Milan was losing points since jan?
And replace him with who? If he does not extend before summer definitely sell him better that lose him for free but come don’t tell me you don’t want him on your team ? Ony 3 players in serie A could do what he did on 2nd goal oh and Salemakers apparently 😂🤷🏻
Laurienté i guess. tho going 3-5-2 would be better. fok wingers
You like to ignore the fact that even teams like West Ham can pay 7,5m with no problem at all?
Apparently Napoli should consider selling Kvara after this match according to these guys’ logic SMH
kvara is in no danger on leaving for free in 2024. Leao is… Are people really that daft? You wanna keep leao and then cry 2 years from now how maldini and comp are incompetent for losing players on a free…
They offer him 7.5M€ for ffs, not enough apparently
If there’s no chance of renewal, then sure sell him but your problem with him clearly isn’t his contract situation :
“Def should sell leao after this season.. Boy comes and plays good only once every full moon. If an unpredictable and inconsistent kid like him is the leader of milan atk milan will struggle season after season.
Im not the one to get hyped after one good performance among dozens of poor ones“
What have you been watching? Kvara has been good all season. 14 goals, 14 assists. This could easily be 20 and 20 by the end of the season, probably putting him in the top 5 in Europe for goal participation. It’s not a fair comparison.
I dont have a problem with him, im just observant. He did nothing for 2 season then had one good season and ups and downs this season.. Those are facts, arent they? Im not making it up nor am i going out of my way to picture him in a bad way..
He is talented player and i would like nothing more than for him to stay and have an amazing career at Milan. It’s unrealistic and im aware of it.
So sell and use the money to upgrade the team, cthulhu knows Milan could do with upgrades and the owner wont cash out..
@ Vero Rossonero
And Leao has 10 goals and 11 assists while playing poorly most of the season according to you guys! That seems incredible to me. lol I was just making a point btw.
@ flyingturtle
You are entitled to your opinion, but selling the most talented player in the squad to upgrade the squad with other players (!) seems stupid to me. A big team tries to hold on to its best players not sell them. They need to find other talented players to help the team when Leao have off-days. People expect him to win Milan matches every week.
@Milan Fan, let’s stick with apples to apples. I’m talking about Serie A, in which case Leao is at 26 games, 10 goals, 7 assists. Kvicha is at 24-12-12. If you include champions for both Kvicha is at 31-14-16 and Leao is at 34-11-10. To be fair, it’s not way off, but Kvicha isn’t asking for 8mm per year, 9.5mm to help pay off a stupid decision, and plays well 4/5 games, not 1/5. I, and I think most other people, recognize Leao’s quality, no doubt, but I think everyone wants consistency. Quality is useless if it’s not consistent, because the team will never achieve its highest level. Think Balotelli. Balo could have been a 20+ goal per season striker his entire career, if he had wanted to. Imagine the trophies he (and his club) would have won. Instead he spent his career quarrelling, transferring every 18 months, with maybe 6 months of good play here and there and has faded into nothing. Leao is not exactly Balotelli, but regardless of what the distracting factor ultimately is, the point is that he never found his ceiling and a lot of money was wasted on him.
Leao’s has some consistency issues, sure, but you guys mistake Milan’s struggles as Leao’s. People expect him to play well and win Milan games when the whole team plays like crap (which he has done sometimes!). But that’s not the way it is. Kvara couldn’t do jackshit the other night when his team was outplayed.
Whenever Milan have performed, Leao has been the star. If he was playing for Napoli of this season instead of Kvara he probably would’ve had more goals and assists than him.
good for them….
At the height of my self-pity v Udinese I said out-load to my sleeping family:
“Why don’t I ever get to enjoy being a Milan fan?”
Well….tonight I got to enjoy being a Milan fan.
Grazie mille ragazzi.
Not only can we revel in this victory but can we also use it as a reference point when we’re complaining about this team or writing off particular players.
This is their level. So when they play below this level there’s something not working. It’s not as simple as THIS player or THAT player or THIS formation or THAT formation.
We’ve seen consistently with Milan over the years we struggle most against teams we should be beating. We don’t play at THIS level. As I’ve previously said those other teams raise their games and Milan drop their level, and the difference in quality is not enough to see us through.
The players simply have to raise their game to THIS level whoever we’re playing against and especially against the bottom teams.
This is just what I observed. Against I big team they are more serious especially with their passes, and don’t get dispossessed easily.
Seems they normally under rate weaker opponents.
I’ve been a Milan fan for 30 years. This has been the story for ever. During the 90s, during Carletto’s time, now. Always dropping points to the small teams and performing well against the big sides. The exceptions were the two banter eras of 96-98 and 2014-20 where they were poor vs almost everyone.
Well that’s easier said than done. It’s human nature. You either needs an abundance of world class talents to even win when jogging around or teams like Milan will be in serious trouble against anyone when they drop their level.
It’s human nature which is why it’s so difficult to recreate league winning form.
But, regardless of what players you have, it’s the single most important characteristic for champions.
It’s why many top teams are almost robotic. Their systems are so well drilled that they go out and do it week after week.
It’s also why it’s pointless rating individual players like some kind of talent contest.
Milan’s way of playing is well drilled, too but if for example Theo and Leao are not at the top of their games or absent then it becomes very difficult because there are no proper replacement for them, and individual quality counts. Real Madrid can replace Vinicius with Rodrigo or Asensio nd get the job done most of the time but when they lost Benzema they struggled because there was no other strikers close to his level.
Ratings after single matches is for fun. So many things affect a players performance. For example Kvara is a great player, but he was caged this match and his teammates didn’t play well, plus the absence of Osimhen limited him, so of course he won’t get a high rating.
Rating players at the end of the year for the overall season they had could be logical though.
Leao is back…
“Leao never left. He scored two goals, one from a centre-forward role and one from out wide. These young guys, even when there are times when it seems like they aren’t improving, are instead assimilating and then they come out. Leao will become a champion because he has incredible potential and he’s a smart boy.”
– Stefano Pioli
Says it all right there…..
Look at this nonsense.
Fanboyism 101
Do you even have the ability to construct your own thoughts and opinions based on what you see with your eyes?
Did you miss the last 3 months? He never left?
Even the biggest Leao fans ( not fanboys) were saying he was playing like garbage, but apparently that never happened.
The guy was so eager to re quote this from a coach who never says anything bad about his players.
Look at his actions not his words. Was your man benched or not because he played like trash?
After being benched didn’t he come out and lied that the new position in the new system was his favorite and than he was trash in the new system.
This is a perfect example of idolize someone to a point when you can’t even think right
Forza Milan and forza leao for the leao fans only
STFU. Most of the team didn’t perform during that time, you single out our best player because you’re a fraud. Real fans support the team and are grateful to those who give us moments to remember.
He singles out the player since he was attacked by the most f’cked up fanboy on the site.
When the team don’t perform nobody can do anything, not even Messi. When the team performs, it’s players like Leao who win you the game. It’s as simple as that.
@Milan Fan, that’s fine, but I think the issue here is a certain poster, his aggro comments (that appear only when Leao plays well) and the reaction to them.
That’s fair. I don’t know what’s going on with him and the others.
Forza Milan. Great win. Weldone lads. Rossoneri🔴⚫💪
Spaletti is an offensive style coach. Its different when we play with alot of italian clubs. They all play by tactic and most of them will have 10 player in their own half all the time. What i see is they pressing us when we have the ball but suddenly reatreat back when they see danger. Napoli always want to score so thats why we have this score. Of course this formation is so much better but sometimes when we agaiinst more defensive team individual error will punishes us. Hopefully with benny upfront we might get help from his creativity. Something we have been lacked of
Finally our midfield dominated a game. Under Pioli last 3,4 years we used to run teams out of the stadium with our pressing and dominance in the midfield. This was the first game this season when i saw that dominance of the last few years.
Hopefully Pioli will stick with this new midfield set up of Bennacer playing in front of Tonali and Krunic.
We could have easily won 6,7-0 if Giroud finished his chances, that’s how much better we were than Napoli.
Let’s string good performances the next 2 months and finish the season in top4 and maybe in the UCL final since we do have the easier side of the bracket
It’s a bit surprising magic mike got lowest score even tho he got clean sheet
To be honest, he didn’t have to participate that much. Two or three long-range efforts which he handled well and that’s it. But in fairness it wasn’t his fault that Napoli was bad and the other 10 Milan-players had close to perfect display.
Ben-Tonali-Krunic are fantastic. Pioli should start CDK as a striker or RW. We have speed at LW, CDK will be our creativity and aerial ability
“Pioli should start CDK as a striker or RW.”
We trash Napoli 0-4 (and it could have been 0-6 too) and you want Pioli to change the team? Replace our #1 scorer with a lad who’s been without scoring a single goal for OVER A YEAR now? Yeah, makes sense… 😀
How about putting on Origi & Rebic too for Leao & Diaz? 🙂
First of all, let’s pray that the team repeats this true gala performance in the quarterfinals of the CL, because in Serie A, unfortunately, it will no longer make much difference.
But anyway, a fantastic game, a true bravado performance from all the boys. In terms of individual highlights, when Leo is in the mood he’s simply unstoppable, you’d have to be hopelessly mentally retarded not to understand that; Diaz is also sheer class, a very creative and intelligent attacking midfielder, and I honestly find it increasingly unlikely that Real Madrid will not exercise their right to redeem his pass. Finally, regarding Saelemaekers, I’m very happy for him: he may not be a brilliant player, but he is a guy who is always doing his best for the club and who therefore deserves the support of the fans. Bravo, Alexis!
the thing about alexis is that he is brilliant player there are plenty of videos of him doing amazing stuff technically in training and warm up but I guess pressure gets to him in real games but not tonight he was fabulous
Yeah, but if we needed to win one of the three games vs Napoli it was this one. It would be a shame to advance to the CL semis or final, lose there and then not finish top 4, because we’d be without CL next season.
I said after the first time we played them earlier in the season even with the “loss” that we were the only team Napoli feared and it showed again tonight …the way they played back then is the same now. We just took our chances this time and played like how we can.
Krunic as usual gets the lower end of the ratings. He was superb. His reading of the game is fantastic and as usual underrated.
Saelemakers after playing left back twice for Belgium found a whole different level at RW. Nice move by the coach to put him inside RW. Maybe we should play him at LB from time to time 😂
I really hope the guys repeat this performance in the UCL. We have been playing better in that competition.
Yes consistent is the key. But injury on the opposite side helps sometimes
Krunic was great without the ball but he did lose the ball 2-3 times in a very dangerous position though.
Him doubling on Kvara killed alot of Napoli’s attack as well as being well positioned.msoealing about losing the ball … Bakayoko ooof..after some good games he almost made us gave up a goal as soon as he came on yikes
It only took a little visit from AcMilan, with last year’s MVP, Brahim-ovic and Saladmaker (making salads of the Napoli defence) BOOM!
#ForzaMilan
Great performance dominated the “powerhouse” of Europe best team in serie A ever to grace us with their presence Napoli of 22/23 😀. Joking aside a absolutely love how In one night they went from loving how they drew us and now absolutely pooping their pants😂.. What we learned from this game when our golden boy Leao tracks back and actually presses it makes a world of difference even tho he tracked back he still had pace and space to do damage in attacking phase (lets hope these performances will not be limited just for “big” games) When we have a capable and dangerous RW we are a dangerous force they tried to limit us down our left flank in first 15 min but Diaz caused them so much trouble on the right.. Finally we got rid of n.10 position like all of the other top teams in europe did 5 years ago there is no space for a classic n.10 in the modern game been saying that for a while now. What worries me is our lack of depth from the bench there are two legs against them in CL only first 11 will not be enough and our only attacking alternative is Origi (god help us) and Bakayoko is back .. Lets not jump on this hype train jet.
Froza milan i really want somethlng like this in uefa
The reason this worked is because we basically ran a non rigid 433 and had krunic in to help Tonali and Benna. Literally what the fans have been calling for for a long time. Glad Pioli did it. Bracing Pioli for changing and not sticking with the stagnant 4231. Well done. Tonight was very very fluid but there was always midfield cover because of Krunic position. So far this season the most solid mid we’ve had defensively has continued to be Krunic and Tonali. Bennacer closer to goal but still helping in mid was excellent. That’s where he should be.
Bravo* pioli (not bracing, typo)
From this analysis Milan don’t need anybody to tell them to sign brahim Diaz and asenso,Noah okafor with one good defensive midfield and one 3 left back to support Theo Hernandez with one right wing this is the only signing millan just need to improve Milan to a greater heights.
Wow. What a turnaround.
Krunic in midfield in addition to Tonali-Bennacer was the key (and Diaz on the right).
Tonali was a monster last night..
We gotta stick with 433. I think everyone is clear our midfield wasn’t working.
Saying that, we need to give time to Adli, Pobega, Vrancx.
Because we cant expect to have Krunic, Tonali and Bennacer all available and fit for evry game.
So lets plan ahead and integrate them.
If CDK could just find some form we would have options
“Because we cant expect to have Krunic, Tonali and Bennacer all available and fit for evry game.”
Nor think that putting Bakayoko on the field to gift breakaways to opponents is a wise move.
I’ve seen a lot of negative comments about Kalulu in this thread. I think it’s unfair. The problem is pairing Tomori and Kalulu, not necessarily either of them invididually. Both of the are aggressive cover defenders. They need to be paired with more defensive minded defenders that hold position, like Kjaer, to form a complimentary relationship. Playing Tomori and Kalulu together is like wearing two left shoes. Additionally, they are the shortest CB pairing we can put out. Now there is the question: what becomes of Thiaw? My hope is that Thiaw can play the Kjaer role and eventually be the one to pair either Tomori and Kalulu in the middle of a four man defense, as Kjaer is not getting any younger.
I don’t get that either Kalulu is fine this game midfield did their job after a very long time and defence looked better because of that Kajer did fine noting special he got caught a couple of times that totally misplaced tackled in the first half springs to mind but thankfully Tomori is fast and could recover bare in mind there was no Osimem… In the begging of the second half when Napoli started to push and we stood deeper we looked super shaky in defence but lucky we scored 3rd goal at a perfect time..
I think Kalulu is our best defender. If not the best, definitely the most talented. The issues of pairing with Tomori is a valid argument but they did play together for a lot of matches last season and barely gave away goals.
The bigger culprit this season has been Tomori, who has been gifting goals to different opponents by individual mistakes on multiple occasions.