AC Milan left it late but eventually managed to clinch all three points away at Cremonese. Win aside, however, there are some things to complain about 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.
Starting XI
Maignan (6): Cremonese had some good chances but often sent their efforts wide, so it was really only one dangerous chance that he had to intervene on and that header was pretty much straight at him. Still, a decent display.
Tomori (6): Good performance overall with solid defending and some contributions in the build-up. It looks like he was worse than his colleagues based on these ratings but that’s really only because of the goal contributions, which I shall get to.
De Winter (6.5): There were maybe a few concerns when Djuric came on but he handled the Bosnian well too. The flick-on for Pavlovic on the opening goal was great and he also headed the ball to Fullkrug in the build-up to the second.
Pavlovic (7): Such a crucial goal scored, although it looked like he almost didn’t know it was happening. The description right place at the right time still works, though, so it’s only justified to give him a rating here for breaking the ice.
Photo by AC Milan
Saelemaekers (5.5): He was heavily involved in the first half, and perhaps should have had one or two free-kicks not given, but he threw himself to the ground way too much. It was right to take him off and still, he was super angry on the bench.
Fofana (8 – MOTM): Surely his best performance of the season? He should have had two assists, first for Leao and then Pulisic, and a super stop by Audero denied him what would have been a nice goal. On top of that, he did well in the other phases of the game, not just in those moments.
Modric (7): Dictated the tempo of the game wonderfully and had some fantastic balls over the top, without forgetting his crosses, including the one that led to the opener. Once again, we also saw runs into the box from him to open up space for others.
Rabiot (6): Perhaps the yellow card risk haunted him a little, because he wasn’t as involved in the duels, but he was still solid in both phases of the game. One good cross that Leao perhaps should have done more with.
Bartesaghi (6): The game was rather open, which allowed him to come forward a lot, and he did so well. It helped open up space for others, above all, but one complaint could be that his crossing wasn’t always as accurate as usual.
Pulisic (5): What can I say? The big chances missed are becoming a real problem. What made him so successful at the start of the season, i.e. his efficiency, is what’s haunting him now. While Audero did well in the 1v1, the American had time to do much better, maybe even to round him or finish earlier. On top of that, his passes on the edge of the box were imprecise.
Leao (5): Lively, perhaps his most lively game in a long while, but he wasted two very good chances. The Fofana pass especially simply had to be converted by the No.10, and the goal at the end doesn’t really move the needle for me in terms of the overall assessment (an open net and a goal that didn’t change the outcome). Would a 5.5 have been more fair?
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images
Substitutes
Ricci (5.5): I don’t think he necessarily added anything special to the game, apart from making sure Fofana won’t be suspended in the derby.
Fullkrug (6): He had a pretty good heading opportunity that looked perfect for him towards the end, but he missed the target. The flick-on for the second goal was nice, though, and rescues his rating a little here.
Nkunku (6.5): Very unselfish to give Leao the open net rather than shooting himself, following a good first touch and run.
Athekame (N/A): I didn’t see enough to give him a rating.
Estupinan (N/A): I didn’t see enough to give him a rating.
The manager
Allegri (6): The decision to start Fofana over Jashari was certainly the right one, and while the early sub for the Frenchman felt strange, it was probably due to the yellow card risk. Plus, if the players had taken their chances, this game would have been decided already in the first half.
