Player Ratings: AC Milan 3-2 Atalanta – Rabiot oozes class; defensive mistakes
AC Milan clinched all three points against Atalanta, even if things got dramatic at the end, and they have a few players to thank for that. Below, we take a look at the ratings.
After the mid-week win against Salzburg, which was the result of several good player performances, Milan added another win to their tally this evening. Sure enough, while there were negatives to note too, some individual performances were crucial.
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
Rabiot (8 – MOTM): He just oozes class on all fronts. Whether it’s passing, tracking back, driving forward, shooting, winning back the ball, he’s got it. The goal was really nice, shifting it into his right foot, and the assist for Gila was very good too. The clear MOTM for me.
De Winter (5.5): I don’t blame him for the first goal because he was following the man behind Gila, but he definitely should have done better on the second. It was obvious where the cross would go and still he failed to clear it. It’s a shame because he was pretty good otherwise, but I just think that mistake was so fatal.
Amorim (6): I want to give him the benefit of the doubt here because Atalanta’s goals came after individual errors. Plus, the feeling is that Milan had pretty good control throughout the game, even for a large period after Atalanta’s first goal. That said, the subs didn’t have the best impact.
Starting XI
Maignan (7): There was a bit of a howler from him in the first half, completely misjudging a ball over the top, but at least he worsened the angle for Krstovic. Of course, the massive save on Zappacosta at the end saves his rating here, since it saved the three points too.
Gila (6.5): He opened his account for Milan after a nice corner routine and added a lot to Milan’s attack throughout the game. Defensively, however, he was sometimes too rash which left the Rossoneri exposed, such as on Zappacosta’s big chance. 6.5 still seems far to me.
De Winter (5.5): I don’t blame him for the first goal because he was following the man behind Gila, but he definitely should have done better on the second. It was obvious where the cross would go and still he failed to clear it. It’s a shame because he was pretty good otherwise, but I just think that mistake was so fatal.
Pavlovic (6): He wasn’t at fault for any of the goals, at least in my opinion. He may have seemed absent on the second one but that’s because he was following Scamacca to the half-way line, just doing his job marking-wise. Decent overall. Nothing more nothing less.
Chukwueze (6): He was lively and very active, combining well with his teammates especially in the build-up phase. However, for a higher rating here, his crossing should have been a bit more accurate, and there were also a couple of finishing chances missed.
Musah (7): Finally, he was deployed in the way he should be! The Sassuolo performance was poor because he had to focus on deep build-up, but now he got to do what he does best: pick up the ball in the middle and run with it, which is how he won the penalty. He also did well defensively in my opinion.
Modric (6): He got a hockey assist for Gila’s goal with a nice corner and showcased some nice passing throughout. However, although Gaetano was technically Musah’s man on the first goal, the veteran didn’t go anywhere near enough to cover the space on his side.
Moreira (6.5): It was a very nice pass from him that helped set up Rabiot’s goal. It wasn’t the hardest one, but it’s the fact that he played that ball rather than going back. Some nice twists and turns too, even if there was one dodgy moment at the back (poor pass which led to Atalanta hitting the post).
Rabiot (8 – MOTM): He just oozes class on all fronts. Whether it’s passing, tracking back, driving forward, shooting, winning back the ball, he’s got it. The goal was really nice, shifting it into his right foot, and the assist for Gila was very good too. The clear MOTM for me.
Pulisic (6.5): He was unlucky not to get a goal after finding the back of the net with a great finish, ruled out for a very marginal offside. He was a really good link between midfield and attack this game as he often dropped down to receive the ball. He defended well too.
Ramos (6): It was a great penalty from him to open the scoring, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, but then he missed the penalty in the second half. Sure, Milan scored immediately after, but we cannot ignore a penalty miss. Decent otherwise.
Substitutes
Hutchinson (5.5): He didn’t have anywhere near as much success as against Salzburg, which I suppose was to be expected. There was a very good chance at the end which could have made life easier for Milan, but he couldn’t get his feet in order.
Estupinan (5.5): The positioning was questionable, to say the least, on the second goal as I presume Amorim brought him on to just defend against Bellanova. Instead he gave the wing-back space to run into. That said, he did have one good clearance at the end.
Jashari (5.5): Some good work in the dying minutes to help see this through, but the way he stopped playing on the second goal (putting his arm up for offside) instead of going for the ball was costly.
Loftus-Cheek (6): He created a big chance for Hutchinson at the end and was okay in his defending during those final minutes.
Tomori (N/A): I didn’t see enough to give him a rating.
The manager
Amorim (6): I want to give him the benefit of the doubt here because Atalanta’s goals came after individual errors. Plus, the feeling is that Milan had pretty good control throughout the game, even for a large period after Atalanta’s first goal. That said, the subs didn’t have the best impact.
