AC Milan lost their clash against Stade Rennes on Thursday but advanced to the Europa League Round of 16 anyway, thanks to the big win in the first leg. Luka Jovic was one of the goalscorers tonight 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 (6): We can’t expect him to save the penalties (can we?) and he did make a few good stops during the game. Also solid with his passing, but he will be disappointed that the Rossoneri conceded so many goals.
Florenzi (6): The veteran did okay throughout the game and it was certainly enough to get a pass, even if his final action was a comical slip. Above all, he was calm in the defensive phase, as evidenced especially by a chest-down to Maignan towards the end.
Kjaer (6): We can say whatever we want about the penalty decision, but it was clumsy defending from the Dane to come in from behind like that. It was a shame as, aside from that, he was actually one of the better players on the pitch.
Gabbia (6): He wasn’t at fault for any of the goals and defended well throughout the game. As we have seen lately, he was strong in the duels and did what was necessary, really, as the goals conceded came from entirely different situations.
Hernandez (6.5): A strong defensive display, above all, but he also did well on occasion when driving forward with the ball. He didn’t have an in-form Leao to combine with tonight, but still managed to get an assist with a great cross for Jovic.
Bennacer (5.5): He clearly isn’t in good match fitness yet, with some really poor mistakes in possession tonight. But it’s not a disaster by any means, as he often gets the first move right and has the right idea for the final pass. It’s just the execution that is missing at the moment.
Reijnders (6): The Dutchman worked very hard in both phases from start to finish and that was important for Milan. He was also the only midfielder who dared to play some vertical pass, helping set up a few good chances.
Musah (5.5): His positioning was far from great on the first goal, trying to recover too late, and he wasn’t brilliant in possession either. He always shows glimpses of what he can do, in fairness, but it rarely anything else.
Pulisic (6): The American had a few very good runs in the first half and probably should have had a goal in the second, when Leao could have squared it. He was also set up by Jovic for a chance, but lost too much angle. In the end, indeed enough to get a pass here.
Jovic (7 – MOTM): He didn’t make up for the sending-off at the weekend, let us be clear, but it was still a good (and important) goal. He also should have had an assist, setting up Leao with a wonderful pass after a great first touch. And what can we say about the handball? It was such a natural movement and it never should have been a penalty. Let’s just leave it at that.
Leao (6): The goal obviously rescues his rating here, especially since it made the rest of the game a lot more comfortable for Milan. However, he was very poor aside from the goal, going back too many times, losing his 1v1 duels and missing some good chances. Actually, he’s on the brink of getting a 5.5 here (and it might be changed).
Substitutes
Loftus-Cheek (5.5): He had a few opportunities to burst forward with the ball, but never really succeeded with that.
Chukwueze (5.5): Poor cameo off the bench with no real impact on the game. There was space to counter, after all.
Okafor (5.5): Just like the other subs in the 61st minute, not enough shown.
Thiaw (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating, although it wasn’t worse than the Monza nightmare.
Terracciano (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.
The manager
Pioli (5.5): The midfield tactics were a problem tonight, as Rennes found way too much space in those areas, but it’s hard to judge the manager for the rest. Two harsh penalties, one shot from outside the box, many squandered chances by Milan and so on.
