Player Ratings: AC Milan 3-1 Inter – Moreira show, De Winter responds
AC Milan clinched a massive win at San Siro to paint the city of Milan red and black. Below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri, with several high ones handed out.
After an up-and-down start to the season, Milan headed into the Derby della Madonnina knowing that a win would make all the difference. Gerry Cardinale said as much before the game and luckily, they succeeded with a 3-1 win.
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.
Short Version
Moreira (9.5 – MOTM): He’s rough around the edges sometimes, but with one fantastic goal and two very good assists in a derby, he deserves all the praise he can get. I expressed doubts about him playing on the right but tonight was his best game in that role. Really, really encouraging ahead of what’s to come.
Everyone got over a 6 tonight, so there was no flop.
Amorim (7): Individual brilliance was the difference-maker, BUT, it would be rude not to acknowledge some of Amorim’s moves tonight. He got the starting eleven spot on, waited with the substitutions, and gave his players good advice at the interval to avoid another push from Inter in the second half.
Starting XI
Maignan (8): He made a fantastic save on Spence in the first half, using his reflexes, and it’s a save that really paved the way for the win. There were other good interventions too, like the volleyball-esque clearance on Calhanoglu’s corner, and coming out to head the ball away. CAPITANO!
Gila (7): I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Milan suddenly looked much more solid with him back in the defensive four. That said, he didn’t stand out with any major interventions, but was just very good through calm passing, good positioning and marshalling. When he’s back to 100% fit, he will be even more important.
De Winter (8): He absolutely won the battle against Thuram this game and it’s not like it was an easy one either. The two had several 50-50 duels and he always came out on top. Aside from his Thuram battle, he was very good overall and deserves a high rating here.
Pavlovic (7.5): It was a bit of a roller coaster for him, but allow me to explain. He left Bastoni on the goal and simply shouldn’t have, for many reasons, and then he also missed a good chance in attack. However, the second half was brilliant with several last-ditch clearances/tackles, including a wonderful one on Barella to stop a goal. That tackle was worth everything in my opinion.
Diawara (6.5): Considering it was his first derby, and game of this calibre, we have to give him praise. He had a cautious style and it worked tonight, as he often just needed to stop his man/block the cross rather than trying to make something extraordinary with the ball. One good cross in attack for Pavlovic, which we shouldn’t forget.
Moreira (9.5 – MOTM): He’s rough around the edges sometimes, but with one fantastic goal and two very good assists in a derby, he deserves all the praise he can get. I expressed doubts about him playing on the right but tonight was his best game in that role. Really, really encouraging ahead of what’s to come.
Musah (7): He won the free-kick that Moreira converted with some smart body work. In addition to that, he was very composed (something he often struggles with) and really helped Milan get out of several tough/tight situations. One poor giveaway at the end but overall, very solid.
Modric (7.5): The veteran stayed on for the entire 90 minutes and fought until the very end. There was one sequence in the final minutes/last ten or so when he really had to scrap to get out of a tight jam, and did so successfully. What a player.
Pulisic (8): It was a great header to open the scoring for Milan, celebrating his renewal in style. The positioning is what makes him so brilliant, not just on the goal but also how he links the midfield and attack together. Could he have been even more effective on the ball? Yes, but the importance of the movement shouldn’t be played down just because it wasn’t always fireworks.
Rabiot (7.5): I’m stunned by the awareness to opt for a finish like that on the goal, but that’s why he’s such a highly-rated footballer. He was good aside from that but perhaps could have been even more effective on the ball for a higher rating. Then again, his movement and running is key.
Ramos (6.5): It feels like I say it every game, aside from the last one when he genuinely looked tired, but the running helps Milan so much in opening up space. Now, his rating is not super high here and that’s because he can still do more on the ball/in the box, but it was good.
Substitutes
Since all the substitutions were made from the 82nd minute onwards, I just didn’t see enough to give either of them a rating.
Bartesaghi, Jashari, Cisse, Terracciano and Hutchinson: N/A
The manager
Amorim (7): Individual brilliance was the difference-maker, BUT, it would be rude not to acknowledge some of Amorim’s moves tonight. He got the starting eleven spot on, waited with the substitutions, and gave his players good advice at the interval to avoid another push from Inter in the second half.
