AC Milan will head into the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Napoli with a slight advantage, having won 1-0 tonight. Down below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri.
Starting XI
Maignan (7.5): He made several good stops at the start of the game, as well as the start of the second half, but above all made a crazy save on Di Lorenzo towards the end.
Calabria (7): He wasn’t beaten by Kvara many times this evening (just like in the 4-0 win) and it’s clear that he knows how to handle the Napoli winger. One could wish for some more attacking contribution, though.
Kjaer (7): Solid at the back with good positioning, although it was obvious Elmas was never going to win that battle. The Dane also hit the bar with a good header at the end of the first half.
Tomori (6.5): He did well at the back, but it felt like most of Napoli’s chances came from his side. He had one great long ball to Leao but we needed to see a lot more than that. Overall, though, he did well and these are just details.
Hernandez (7): He had the fighting spirit from the first minute and that is so important in games like these. His runs in attack helped Milan cause problems for Napoli many times and above all when Anguissa was sent off.
Krunic (7): He made a mistake right at the start with a sloppy clearance but at least he was able to block the following effort. Apart from that, though, he was secure when in possession and allowed Milan to breathe many times. In defence, his work must be highlighted as he was crucial.
Tonali (7): Another great display from the youngster who battled hard from start to finish. He has found his role again since the switch back to a four-man defence, that’s for sure.
Diaz (7.5 – MOTM): So many successful dribbling and the build-up for the goal, just wow. Milan seriously need to look into signing him permanently. His importance has been evident in the Champions League.
Bennacer (7.5): He was more present than the Empoli game and thus redeemed himself in that sense. The goal was obviously crucial in the end, hence the rating, but otherwise it was a performance on par with his midfield colleagues.
Leao (7.5): His ability to run with the ball and attract the defenders was very important this evening and he also got the assist for the goal. He just lacked the final effort today, goalscoring-wise.
Giroud (6.5): He wasn’t always that involved, but when he was the pass was almost always right. The link-up thus worked well with his teammates, especially in the first half.
Substitutes
Saelemaekers (6): No solo goal this time, but it was also a tough game to enter since Napoli kind of sat back towards the end.
Rebic (5.5): He can do better and he knows it. The problem is that he mixes good things with really poor ones.
