Player Ratings: Hellas Verona 1-2 AC Milan – Tonali the hero; Giroud struggles

By Isak Möller -

AC Milan had to fight hard but eventually managed to secure all three points against Hellas Verona in what was a rather strange game. Down below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri. 

Starting XI 

Tatarusanu (5): He nearly cost Milan the game as he dominated zero of the aerial space inside the penalty box. In addition, his distribution is incredibly slow and it’s good that Maignan will be back soon.

Kalulu (6): Not his best game with the Milan shirt, but it was a solid defensive display nevertheless and when he got the chance (not often), he got forward as well.

Gabbia (5.5): He did well on many occasions but also struggled a bit, especially when he was left 1v1 or had to make use of pace to win the ball. He definitely would have got a 6 if it hadn’t been for the goal, where he got caught in two minds.

Tomori (6): Nothing spectacular and one could ask questions about his positioning at times, but it’s becoming clear that more of Pioli’s tactical solution’s fault. Theo cutting inside without possession leaves the Englishman more exposed.

Hernandez (6): It would be harsh to not give him a pass for his performance, but it was close. He never really made any huge mistakes or anything but he perhaps should have been more involved overall.

Tonali (7.5 – MOTM): He worked incredibly hard this evening and did it with success, despite being ‘left alone’ a lot on the right-hand side (besides Kalulu, obviously). The goal was crucial and all thanks to a great run so late in the game.

Krunic (5.5): Very much a meh performance from the Bosnian who didn’t really stand out.

Diaz (5.5): He had a few good moves here and there but ultimately wasn’t that successful in the attacking phase (bar a nice pass to Giroud, but it was an easy one). He didn’t track back enough and was subbed off after 45 minutes.

Adli (5.5): The rating might seem harsh, but the reality is he struggled to have an impact on the game. It’s clear he still needs time to adapt to Milan’s system and today’s game, being so fluid position-wise, perhaps wasn’t the best way to start.

Leao (6): He created the goal all by himself and had one or two more good moves in the game. Faded after that but getting the first goal was crucial, and all thanks to him. Also helped set up the second goal.

Giroud (5): He has really hit a poor run of form as he missed a huge chance to make it 2-0 for Milan, which would have made the game a lot easier. Furthermore, he struggled in the hold-up play.

Substitutes

Origi (6): A good appearance off the bench from the Belgian who helped create a few chances and also managed to impose himself in the duels. In fact, he was very close to getting a 6.5 and he needs to continue like this.

Rebic (6): It would have been a higher rating if it hadn’t been for two good chances missed. He should have done better with the shot especially on one of that. He did, however, have a positive impact and also assisted Tonali.

Pobega (6): He was absolutely necessary for the physical duels and did well when he was on the ball as well. Solid from him.

Bennacer (6): He didn’t have the ball as much as he would have liked, but always did well when he got it.

Thiaw (6.5): The rating is obviously a bit inflated, but that block he made in the dying minutes was fantastic and secured the three points for Milan. Edit: He actually made two crucial blocks!

Tags AC Milan AC Milan Player Ratings Hellas Verona Olivier Giroud Sandro Tonali

88 Comments

  1. Very happy with Thiaw’s debut. He played an incredible game, being decisive two times in just a few minutes. That’s what I call a great performance from a defender.

  2. You guys got Adli in an actual game and not pre-season and how did it go? Not too well eh. I always say let the coach decide, he’s the one seeing the players in training and knows what’s best for the team. That CAM position ain’t no joke and u can tell it’s difficult to do let alone master. The subs gave alot more than the starters esp. Adli Diaz and Krunic. I particularly liked Thiaw at the end there with two crucial blocks and great aerial ability. I hope he gets more game time.

    1. we couldn’t have known if he didn’t play, didn’t we einstein?
      he needs to get chances if he has to improve. and he should be getting more than Brahim who isn’t our player. More he plays he will know where to improve and for pioli to work on him.

      1. It was obvious. He is not on that level yet.
        I followed him last year as he was our player already.
        He had a good start to the season with some assists but was benched a lot through the second half of the season in a campaign where Bordeaux was relegated.
        We must give him time to adapt and improve.
        I didn‘t understand why Pioli didn‘t sub him of and put Diaz in his position and Rebic right at halftime???
        Instead he changed formation twice in one game….
        First 4-2-3-1 then 4-3-3 and in the end it was like 5-3-2

    2. What do you expect when the Coach made it difficult with him.

      How can a good Coach give a new player a first start with a make shift midfeild??? With Krunic Haba.

      He should have started him with the tried and tested midfeild of Bennacer and Tonali.

      I still insist that Pioli is a limiting factor for this Ac Milan side

    3. Exactly the kind of comment I was waiting for, Pioli deliberately setup the midfield and Adli to fail just to prove a point why Adli hasn’t been playing. Pobega would have been better off starting.
      Let’s just enjoy what there is to enjoy, Pioli is a bad guy.

      1. He set up the formation we’ve been playing the last few years 4231 with Adli in the hole. How is that setup for failure? Adli can’t play the pivot and even if it was a 433 better yet and he didn’t do well with both.

        Now I’m not saying he’s trash I was just making the point that there might be a reason he wasn’t called up as yet and we kinda have to let the new guys slowly acclimatize. Pre-season and Ligue 1 is nothing really

    4. “Not too well eh. ”

      Not too bad either. Showed his excellent vision and creativity a few times and once he gets more minutes to settle in, he’ll be superb. He will be more useful in creating chances than CDK. Mark my words.

      1. As above i’m not saying he’s trash I was just making the point that there might be a reason he wasn’t called up as yet and we kinda have to let the new guys slowly acclimatize. Pre-season and Ligue 1 is nothing really.

        And yes I think he could be better than CDK

  3. Not the best Milan match for sure but three points is three points!

    Also, now you all know why Adli is not yet ready to play as a starter. Compare to CDK, Krunic, or Diaz, Adli is Milan weakest AM right now. It’s crystal clear he still needs time to adapt before he deserves the starting slot!

    1. Agreed he’s the weakest there but we really shouldn’t be playing him there. He should be in midfield as a cm who can attack. We should be playing a 433 or a 4312. This puts our mids in their best positions. This hybrid 4231 is not good and put the cbs in very very vulnerable positions tonight and kalulu and Theo were way upfield pulling our defense into very bad positions.

      Point is, yes adli is a weak AM at the moment but he shouldn’t be there in the 1st place.

  4. Happy for the 3 points but this was the worst performance of the season so far. They looked like they’ve never played together before. With 10 players vs Chelsea they played better.
    We just witnessed why Pioli didn’t play Adli. Did nothing, awful positioning, and looks like he is stuck in quick sand when he “runs”.
    Krunic should not play in double pivot. If one of Bennacer, Tonali is resting, Vranckx should play .
    It’s time to bench Giroud. Origi should start next game.
    Ante Rebic should play more.
    Leao was gone for 88 minutes of the game.
    Malick Thiaw saved 2 goals. Should get a chance to play more often.
    Pioli almost cost Milan points because he allowed media and fans to pressure him into playing Adli who got no business playing for Milan. Then instead of taking out Adli , he took Brahim out who was the only player that was creating something in the 1st half . 2 passes to Giroud and Kalulu that sent them clear on goal.
    That midfield is a mess , gets out run, out played by a bottom 3 team in the league
    Very frustrating disappointing performance by Milan

    1. Look at our injury list. Pioli plays with what he has. His resources are extremely limited considering that the season is long and our calendar is tough af. He has to make decisions and take risks, so his next game won’t be a total disaster. That’s actually what a manager’s work is.
      I can agree that it could be better to start with Rebic instead of Giroud. It would help to slow down Verona at their build-ups.

  5. Let’s be honest, Milan were lucky to get any points out of this game. They were outplayed by Verona for most of the match. People get on Pioli for not resting players but they have no depth. He tried to give Bennacer a rest and Milan got completely run over in the midfield. Neither Krunic nor Pobega are up to the task. I think we saw why Adli has not been given playing time. He added nothing offensively and is a liability defensively. And I don’t know what he is doing with putting Theo and Leao more into the middle of the field but it’s not working. They need to be out wide where they can use their speed. They have the best left side in Serie A, don’t change it. There is a hole in this team where Kessie used to be and teams are just running right through it every week.

    1. Oh, so the best left side consists of Theo and Leao whom you critisize every weekend for not being consistent.. Stop contradicting yourself, you don’t have to comment every week.

      1. Never once criticized either of them. You must have me confused with someone else, or you are just stupid. The player I criticize that gets everyone upset here is Tonali.

  6. What did krunic and CDK playing all this while This is Adli first starts, should it’s not that bad. More games time, he will do better than krunic

  7. This was a disappointing game, though imo we should start Thiaw Vranckx rebic Origi Adil Bennacer Tonali Kalulu Tomori Theo. It was Adil’s first game so I don’t want to be harsh. Then rebic missed few good chances which was disappointing to see. Leao didn’t do much although he had important contribution so he seemed second to motm. Gabbia is slow for 1v1 and that can be seen and every single match Tomori is positioned badly and the tactic to play Theo in middle is costing us bad. Oliver giroud is doing nothing out of his chances and he should rest maybe he will come back strong like this how good teams do they bench their good player who is out of form to make him come back to his best. Krunic when i saw his name I knew that specific department would flop guy is just dumb. I think these new names are good and have played in different leagues and have international experience too like Thiaw and Vranckx I think they should get some minutes. Painful game.Pathetic but happy for three points. We have to improve no one carries Milan single handedly it is team effort and we must drive forward as team. Forza Milan.

  8. Wasn’t it Thiaw that missed the easy clearance in the box just after coming on which led to a chance for Verona? If so, you need to look at that too when considering his blocks later in the match. I think he was solid but not impressive in what was a short appearance off the bench. Would like to see more of him to properly assess but a 6.5 rating seems inflated by quite a margin.

    1. Yes, you are correct. People just like new things and like to hate on certain scapegoats when really it’s our tactics why we looked so exposed today and that’s on pioli.

      1. Pioli’s tactics were only part to blame. The attitude of Milan players was awful. They looked as they had already won the matches before it even began. Sloppy and careless attitude almost cost us points.

  9. I liked pioli’s subs. Calm down with the giroud criticism, 36 year olds are not supposed to start 11 games in a row.
    Positives: other than the OG gabbia, was quite solid, and Thiaw was great. Ballsy to play 2 CB’s with little game time at the same time. Diaz is creative for multiple games in a row! Yay!
    Theo was eager to go into aerial challenges today, and was really good at it. Pobega is also getting more consistent.

    Negatives: Adli is slow, and built for logical (not sure the right describing word. Static?) formations, not fluid ones where all players move all over the place. Giroud tired. Does anybody know if Ibra went to the game? Cause leao was asleep after 30th minute, and should have been subbed of before Diaz, but that the leao quandary I guess. We underhit a lot of passes,esp. in the first half.

    1. I agree. Giroud is a great experienced player. It is not his fault we still have no resources to deliver the ball to him. Otherwise, he would score double digits by now.
      Probably, we should let him in as a sub when an opponent’s lines get unbalanced and tired. At least until we solve our AM problems.

      1. Giroud is a great finisher, but he REALLY should have scored against Chelsea with the header and yesterday from the 1vs1 with the keeper. He needs a goal ASAP to get his mojo back.

      2. Are you joking? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 The guy misses 2 100% chances per match. I haven’t seen a worse “experienced” striker in a long time. If we had a top striker he would be at over 15 goals in Serie A, you can’t miss all those sitters like Giroud.

  10. I have similar feelings to what some of you have already expressed but here is a snippet of my thoughts…a top five, if you will.
    1. Giroud is obviously tired. Please give this man a rest, he’s earned it!
    2. While this was not a great debut for Adli, I put some of the blame on Diaz. He decided the first 10 minutes he would just take Aldi’s space at CAM and the poor kid was on the back foot the entire time after—never really got into the game.
    3. For the people that rag on Bennacer: do you see what happens when he isn’t there to control or recycle possession!?
    4. Somehow throughout the duration of Pioli’s tenure, this squad has never improved in either set pieces (corners especially) or final-third decision making. It’s totally unacceptable for a team of this caliber to be utterly worthless in those two areas.
    5. Thiaw looks like a defender with a good head on his shoulders. I hope we see more of him. Pobega is not good, I hope we see less of him. Diaz either scores a goal or is an empty jersey, I hope he goes back to Madrid.

    1. Every match is the same: Milan’s corner kicks stops at the first defender and every corner kick in Milan’s end will cause issues. We were really lucky not to concede – AGAIN!

  11. I don’t like what pioli is doing with theo Lately of him moving more the the center. It’s leaving tomori exposed and the overlaps with leao are not happening anymore

    1. Full-back coming to central area is something Pioli often use to outnumber opposing midfield, not just this season but also last season. It had also lead to goals, notably vs Atalanta (Calabria and Theo).

    2. That’s because two or three players always mark Leao and one of the best solution to make their attention divided is to direct Theo in the center where his solo run can attract more opponents.

      1. Who cares its an awful strategy when used in excess. Here and there it’s fine but it’s exposing even Tomori who is super fast. People like to blame gabbia and they say it’s because he’s not fast but tomori has been just as exposed maybe even more so far this season. The problem isn’t tomori, gabbia, kalulu, etc. But the drastic overuse of this massive press by the fullback because if it doesn’t work perfectly then the CBs are exposed, badly.

        1. It wasn’t awful actually when we had Kessie and Bennacer backing us up. When you have a concrete center protected by a talented duo with Kjaer and Tomori behind, you are free to use full-backs in the attack. Unfortunately, this season we still haven’t restored the best part of the scudetto team.

  12. Terrible performance but we somehow sneak a result. Seems to be the routine of late. It’s also funny how the Tonali propaganda continues just because he scored the winner but did absolutely nothing else all game.

    Anyway, the most important thing is the three points. I’m also very happy with Thiaw, and the other subs like Origi, Rebic did OK.

    1. The only Tonali propaganda that continues is your delusional negative propaganda against Tonali. He did nothing besides earning the 3 points for Milan. Ran all game long and even though he is the defensive midfielder he was in front of everyone on the wining goal, and finish that chance better than Giroud, Leao Rebic.
      But keep on hating

  13. Tonali is always over-hyped and overrated,
    He’s a good player no doubt but he always needs a good director in that midfield. Bennacer is better but injury prone. We are yet to successfully replace Kessie who was our natural Director and a proper DMF.
    Adli played a good game, Giroud and Diaz were very poor, he clicked more with Rebic and Origi. Tomori is struggling because Kessie that covers Theo’s over-runs is no longer here.

    1. Adli played a good game ?? Are you blind or just plain dumb. He was running around like a school kid who thought he was good but suddenly found himself amongst pro players

    2. Kessie a director? Stop watching football, a guy that can’t pass properly is a director by you? 😂😂😛😛😂😂 That is why he can’t get over 10 minutes for Barcelona, because he can play with the ball perfectly…

  14. Milans worst game.
    Pioli flop of the match for the bad starting line up.
    All of the subs deserve a 6.
    Tonali and Leao deserve 5.5 only because they scored the goals. The “MVP” was MIA for 98% of the game.
    Adli a 2, just for putting on the jersey. He was useless. Bad and slow on the ball, lost defensively. In January he needs to go on loan. Pioli was again right not to play another overrated fan favorite player after Hauge.
    The rest of the starters deserve a 5.
    They need to get their stuff together. Milan wins games playing awful. Our best game was actually the loss vs Napoli.
    Some starters can use some humbling bench time

    1. Ya and for that 2% Leao allegedly only played – he created the first goal and started the play to Rebic for the second. Not bad for “MIA 98% of the game” LOL.

    2. I totally agree with you. The hype on the new players has been too much. None of them seem to be the worth it, including CDK. All goals this season are from the same old faces.

      1. There’s no hype for new players outside CDK and even that Pioli, Maldini, and most pundits knows CDK needs time to adapt.

        Only a bunch of CLUELESS Milan fans who overhype CDK as if he’s the next Kaka.

      1. He replaced 2 of his starters at half time and 2 more not long after half time.
        That was realization and admission of mistakes in the starting line up.
        But I guess the clues were not clear enough for the intelligence of @ForzaMilan

  15. Clearly the team looked fatigued. The hectic fixtures are beginning to take its toll. I hope we have the depth to stomach it. Pioli needs to make this happen without upsetting the balance of the team. Which is a million dollar task considering the quality we lack on the bench at the moment.

    Regardless of what anyone says about Leao, having him in the team is a huge advantage to the attack. It almost certain guarantees a goal. Certainly an outing to forget.

    Adli still needs time to adapt, maybe a couple of cameos would help before thrusting him into the Starting XI.

    I have never had to call a player a disaster, but Tatarusanu is a Colossal one on this team. If we had to play without a goalkeeper for 90mins, the result wouldn’t change.

    It is clear that Rebic can give a lot more if given enough playing time, Pioli would have to make that assessment.

    Thiaw finally making his debut with some crucial game-winning blocks, hopefully he improves from here a game at a time.

    Today’s Milan wasn’t the Milan we are used to seeing, the team had a bad day. I hope this is just one-off. Delighted with the win nonetheless.

    Good job by Pioli and the team to grind out the win. Great winner by Tonali. Forza Milan!!!

    1. Are you sure todays Milan wasn’t the Milan we are used to seeing?
      Check the road games vs Sassuolo. Sampdoria, Empoli. Almost identical poor performances that we were lucky to escape with wins and points

      1. You can only be lucky so many times. You can’t call four of these games lucky wins… Even the best teams struggle, play badly, and grind out wins unconvincingly… When Milan does its called luck, lol. Bro, relax and hope for the best. Even our Scudetto triumph was ridden with unconvincing performances.

        1. I was just asking if this performance wasn’t as bad as those other games vs the worst teams in the league where Milan didn’t just struggle to score but struggled massively to defend the score.
          It looks like a pattern to me.
          Last year Milan might have struggled in some games to score but very rarely they were put under pressure defensively.
          This year the team looks discombobulated, all over the place, especially the midfield and the defense

          1. That is because what most of you fail to see is that Milan is playing more attacking football this term than the last, thus the exposure, with time I believe pioli will find a balance

  16. Pioli got his subs wrong and in the wrong order. Bennacer and Pobega should have come on at the half for Adli and Krunic, who were really poor in the first half, switching to a 4-3-3, as our midfield was outnumbered. When he finally did this in the 60th the team gained more balance. Instead he took off Diaz and Giroud for Rebic and Origi at the half. That change should have happened at the 60th, and for Giroud and Leao, the latter who spent most of the game walking. Diaz struggled only because in the 4-2-3-1 RW is expected to track back. He would have done better in the 4-3-3 had Bennacer/Pobega come on at the half. So Pioli got his subs backwards, and erred in taking Diaz instead of of Leao, which also left us without a “real” RW for 45 min.

  17. So Diaz was lazy to track back this game. He is still too inconsistent. No wonder Kalulu rarely went forward, he had to do most of the defending.

  18. Not the greatest game but as they say a win is a win. You can tell the lads are tired, esp Giroud, Leao, Theo…Leao still made an impact as always. Was Adli’s first game so cannot criticize. Saw some good flashes and vision but he will improve in time. Tata is horrid. I cringe every time he leaves his line. Not once did he get any of those crosses in his own six – I really thought Verona was going to score. Thiaw was solid considering limited PT. Would like to see him get a start as I think he has more potential than Gabbia, certainly more speed. Hope this game was a precursor for Pioli playing some of the young kids more. Nice to see Rebic at RW finally!!! Only took 3 years lol.

  19. I believe the boys did what they could to play agains a Hellas Verona team that didn`t wanted to play. All they did was waste time and pass long high balls up front. Terrible to watch. They ruined the game. Tataru is so bad I was hoping the whole game he would not touch the ball. He does not give good passes and he always looks lost. Milan need a better second choice GK. Adli did not play bad. We keep forgetting how players like Bennacer played his first season. Be patient. Playing with two CAM next to Tonali who does not stay in his position was not a smart move by Pioli. He should have chosen one of them and have played Vranckx. Tonali is forming in to a phenomenal player. He covers the deffence and helps in the attack, but since he helps in the attack there should be a player like Bennacer or Vranckx to help him. Last, Giroud has to get a break. The goal scoring chance he had he would have scored 9/10 times. Give the man some rest. Origi played well. Now on to the next game

  20. Stop over-tinkering with tactics, Pioli should just freeze the frame at when Rebic was about releasing the ball to Tonali. He should study the shape of the team at that very moment. Textbook 4-3-3.
    PLAY TO THE STRENGTHS OF YOUR PLAYERS… And then add your tactical tweeks. And please stop that midfield thing with Theo.
    Milan is struggling beyond normal to win matches or put in good performances this so far this season.
    Just imagine a front three of LEAO-ORIGI-REBIC

  21. That was hard to watch.
    The best thing about MIlan season up to this point is that they collect wins even though their performances suck.
    Outside of the 3 big games vs Inter, Juve and Napoli, in rest of the games Milan didn’t play good. Often playing down to the oppositions level.
    Hopefully they stay close to the top until we hit a break for the WC and then regroup into new years with maybe some reinforcements because right now this is not a very good team.
    Not a lot of confidence going into the last 2 UCL games.
    Dinamo is tough at home and Salzburg might be of same quality as Milan.
    Pioli need to stop experimenting. Theo is a full back not a midfielder. If CDK is still out play Brahim at 10 and Messias at RW. Time for Giroud to step aside and be the bench player he was planed to be. Origi should be given a chance to start. Rebic deserves more playing time. Leao needs a kick in the ass. Adli should go back to what he was doing prior to this game and then in January send him to spezia.
    From the new signings, Vranckx, Origi and Thiaw should play more. Adli and Dest shouldn’t play at all

    1. “ Outside of the 3 big games vs Inter, Juve and Napoli, in rest of the games Milan didn’t play good.”

      Just admit that you didn’t watch Milan matches outside those 3 games.

  22. Reading some of the comments makes you wonder if those people are actually watching the game. Sempre, unfortunately got their ratings wrong this time and some of the comments just follow trend. The game with Verona was not an easy one … even if apparently it should be … more so, considering the team comes after a very exhausting game with Chelsea and a packed schedule. Tatarusanu did a good job, in fact there was not much to do for him, and Gambia did a decent job to defend in spite of the own goal. The team got the points… even if the game was nothing to brag about … they got the points. I did not feel like at any given time Verona was controlling the game … they had a few good moments after the equalizer but nothing significant. Overall the team got the job done …it wasn’t pretty.. nevertheless job done!

  23. Now i hope the idiots on this forum crying for adli to play will finally shut up. He is too weak and has zero skills. Its different playing in a training field and against other teams. He needs to be loaned out or sold.

    1. You are being way to harsh on Adli , that was his first start in a difficult match as Verona pressed us hard and they were fresh and up for it , we were coming off draining games. Truth is Adli is the only true no. 10 in this team even though he didn’t play well you can see it. CDK is a hybrid no.9/10,Diaz and Krunic are not no.10s. Let’s give him some time and then judge .. even Zizou did nothing for 5 months with Juve.

      1. He is good for a Nike commercial, not a serious football player yet. If he was he wouldn’t be on the bench while Bordeaux was getting relegated. He couldn’t play even in the Ligue 1 relegated team. Top player

  24. Adli played well one or two touches nice flicks simple play open to receive passes and good vision potential is there and not afraid to ask for the ball Diaz is a crazy chicken who dribbles and falls or gets out muscled

  25. You guys are outrageous… now the hate is all for adli? He’s played 1 real game calm down and give him time. First it was hate on leao, then it was on tonali, now adli. Wow…. pathetic fans. Call people out when needed but the weekly bashing is pathetic. I wonder who it will be next week… Gabbia? Giroud? or is it time to bring back an old classic to make fun of in Brahim?? Sad. Get a life.

  26. First of all it was champions mentality who made us go grab three points….the performance it self was not good at all…..pioli have been doing same mistake of making theo drift in Central area putting our defence in trouble…..when it was very clear our midfield was over run and verona had smooth passing line through central midfield. This strategy only works of drifting your full backs in central area with 3 cbs I said earlier on both Chelsea games……thus tactical flaw will cost us point….giroud needs a rest about new players well we can’t be harsh on them its just their start wait for one year before we come to conclusion… next 5 games are easier on paper in seria a milan should go for maximum and make our mark on season……

  27. Tata 5.. did they watch the same match? Same for Gabbia.. ratings on here are always just x of what it should be 😀 😀

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