Player Ratings: Rapid Wien 1-1 AC Milan – Saelemaekers impresses; many negatives

AC Milan’s first friendly of the pre-season ended 1-1 as Rapid Wien managed to equalise towards the end of the game. While the Rossoneri struggled in the first half, they looked much better in the second as the XI was changed, and below are the player ratings. 

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.

First-half Starting XI

Sportiello (5.5): He had a couple of decent stops but could have been a lot better with his feet and hands in the passing. Most of the chances conceded were not his fault, though.

Calabria (5.5): The captain was on the ball quite a lot but struggled to create anything of value, if we don’t count releasing Chukwueze with what can only be described as an easy pass. Okay in defence, in fairness to him.

Gabbia (5): Not great in picking up the Rapid Wien attackers and Milan were lucky not to concede. He also could have been bolder in his passing, with a lot of them to the side.

Thiaw (5): He looked very sluggish, almost as if he didn’t put his best into the game, and it showed with his positioning on more than one occasion. Just like Gabbia, he also struggled to pick up the opponents’ runs.

Terracciano (4): The youngster struggled big time in defence and really failed to have any sort of impact on the ball. Not a good audition ahead of the season.

Pobega (5): His positioning was way off in defence, perhaps it was the fault of the tactics, but at least he had Milan’s first shot of the game (it wasn’t a very good one, by the way). He also at least tried to drive forward on a few occasions.

Adli (4): Poor passing, with only a few exceptions, and movement that left a lot to be desired. Given the mercato rumours I’m sure he would have wanted to do a lot better than this.

Chukwueze (5.5): Probably should have had a penalty in the first few minutes after beating his man, but then struggled to replicate that moment. The potential is there, though, and he could be an important player next season.

Liberali (4.5): He had the vision but not the execution, passing-wise that is. His age also became evident as he was beaten in many duels.

Chaka Traore (4.5): Apart from a few passes to the nearest man, we barely saw anything of him in the first half. A shame, really, because he can do much more.

Colombo (4.5): Non-existent, pretty much, and that wasn’t so much his fault but he still could have done better in a few duels.

Second-half Starting XI

Torriani (6) He made a very good low stop just after Milan took the lead, showcasing his quick movement. He was also good with his feet, even if he rushed things a few times.

Bakoune (5): He left a lot of space for his opponents on two occasions and on the first one, Torriani made the brilliant save. On the second, however, Rapid Wien managed to find the equaliser.

Kalulu (5.5): The Frenchman was beaten a bit too much, with one of these times resulting in a big chance for the home side, and he didn’t look all that convincing in possession.

Tomori (6): A very acrobatic clearance at the start of the second half set the tone even if he wasn’t brilliant by any means. But he got most of his duties right.

Jimenez (5.5): He struggled in defence but even more surprising, he didn’t have much success in possession either. With his talent, we certainly would have liked to see more positive actions.

Bennacer (6.5): His entrance really showed the difference of having a proper defensive midfielder on the pitch. Helped out in both phases of the games and was behind the goal, driving forward with the ball confidently.

Florenzi (6.5): Great finish to open the scoring, placing it high and giving the goalkeeper no chance. He was also quite good with his passing so a positive performance overall. Being an experienced defender, he also had some good recoveries in that phase.

Cuenca (5.5): Some good movement on the counters but nothing more aside from that, and perhaps he should have done better on the equaliser. There seemed to be some kind of misunderstanding between him and Bakoune.

Loftus-Cheek (6): Played to his strengths and was mainly involved when Milan countered. Played a very good ball to Saelemaekers on one occasion, which should have resulted in a penalty.

Saelemaekers (7 – MOTM): Very, very neat on the ball and made things very difficult for the Rapid Wien defence. He almost got a great solo goal after a cheeky nutmeg. He also should have got a penalty after a great run into the box. Maybe Milan will reconsider his future, or at the very least his price increased (or was asserted if the demand is really €20m).

Maldini (6.5): He succeeded with almost every single flick out there, which was very nice to see, and he clearly combined well with everyone as he got the assist for Florenzi’s goal. Just like Saelemaekers, a performance that could be good for the mercato.