AC Milan failed to keep their unbeaten run alive this evening as Napoli once again came away with all three points from San Siro. Down below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri.
Starting XI
Maignan (6): A solid display from the goalkeeper as he made a few good saves and couldn’t do that much about the goals. It wasn’t a good penalty from Politano, but it’s one of those that are tough to save anyway (between arm and leg area).
Calabria (6.5): He did get carded but it was still a bit strange that Pioli took him off at half-time. He lost one duel against Kvaratskhelia but he also won one convincingly, and the one he lost he made sure to give the winger a tough angle.
Kjaer (6): A good display from him, nothing spectacular though. He was carded after a rash challenge and in his case, it made more sense to take him off.
Tomori (6): Lost Simeone completely on the goal, although it was a very smart movement from the striker and those crosses are generally hard to defend. A case could be made that the midfielders should have been more present too.
Hernandez (7): It’s hard to complain about his display when he did almost everything right in both phases of the game. Got a lovely assist for Giroud and should have had a hockey assist if it hadn’t been for Kalulu’s miss.
Bennacer (6.5): He won a lot of balls for Milan and helped keep the press up towards the end of the game. Arguably a very important player for Milan, even if he wasn’t always spot on tonight.
Tonali (6): A good match for the youngster who remains the bridge between attack and midfield, asserting himself above all in the defensive phase.
Saelemaekers (6): One can understand why Pioli brought him off but the Belgian actually started the game well and managed to combine with his teammates. He faded a bit, though, which was the cause of the sub.
De Ketelaere (6.5): It doesn’t always look like he’s that involved in the play but his smart movement and ability to read the game is shining through. Was involved in Milan’s goal and taking him off at that point of the game was questionable.
Krunic (6): He looked really good in the first half, creating a couple of chances and also getting on the end of a few (forcing the goalkeeper to saves). He didn’t have the same success in the second half, though.
Giroud (7.5 – MOTM): It certainly didn’t look like this was his seventh (!) consecutive game from start. He was really important as a focal point and won plenty of duels, creating chances for his teammates. Got a goal and also should have had an assist.
Substitutes
Dest (5): A disasterclass from the American, truth be told, as he caused the penalty with a rash tackle and didn’t really add anything when going forward.
Kalulu (5.5): He did his job in the defence but he missed a sitter for Milan in the dying minutes. It’s almost harder to hit the bar there than to hit the target, it was truly a shocking miss.
Messias (5.5): He started well with a nice effort but then failed to assert himself in the game with several questionable decisions.
Diaz (6.5): A very positive display from him as he came on and changed the game, involved in Milan’s goal with a nice flick. With more time it could have been a higher rating for sure.
Adli (N/A): He didn’t play enough to get a rating.
