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AC Milan clinched their second win in a row after Luka Modric found the back of the net against Bologna. You can probably guess who the MOTM is, but below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri.
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 (5.5): He wasn’t really tested by Bologna in terms of shots on target, but rather with the pressing. Indeed, there was one very poor moment from the Frenchman, when he had time but rushed a pass and gifted a great chance (which Orsolini thankfully didn’t capitalise on).
Tomori (6.5): We saw a few of the usual ‘rash’ fouls from him tonight but all things considered, it was a solid defensive display from him. There were even some great tackles towards the end, and you could argue he should have had an assist with the great pass to Gimenez.
Gabbia (6): Just like his colleague, it was a solid display with some good clearances in dangerous situations. If there’s anything I would complain about, it’s that he failed to keep the line high on one or two occasions, which allowed Bologna to stay onside.
Pavlovic (6): While he played a lot of backwards passes just like his teammates, he at least stood out by offering overlap runs in attack. Defensively, he also did okay so it would’ve been harsh not to give him a pass here.
Saelemaekers (6.5): He got the assist for the winner with a nice cut-back pass, finding Modric in the penalty box. There were a few other good chances that he helped set up, so the outcome could have been even better. And oh, his work rate still makes a big difference. Just below a 7 here, in my opinion.
Fofana (6): For once, the Frenchman not only picked up good positions but also did useful stuff in possession, opting for the easy (but right) passes this time out. One silly foul committed, but other than that it was very solid.
Modric (8 – MOTM): Even before the goal, he was the best player in terms of interceptions, progressive passing, pressing, running, you name it. In other words, he definitely deserved the goal and it was a great finish. Not to mention that he started the move himself.
Rabiot (6.5): A very positive debut from the Frenchman, who showed confidence when carrying the ball forward (which he did a lot) and he also won many aerial duels. His experience will be very useful this season, that’s for sure.
Estupinan (6): He almost got his first goal for Milan, cutting inside with his right foot before hitting the post in the first half. Aside from that, we saw a few ups and downs from him but mostly positive stuff, especially at the end when the Rossoneri defended the one-goal lead. Nearly a 6.5.
Loftus-Cheek (5.5): There were some good moments, including the build-up to the goal, but the truth is that he struggled for most of the game. It wouldn’t be fair to his teammates to give so much weight to what he did before the goal, even if it was a good run. In the build-up, he wasn’t available enough and he was confused in the pressing phase as well.
Gimenez (4): In the first half, he forced Skorupski to a decent save, but he didn’t exactly build on that in the final 45 minutes. First, he missed a chance that was set up by a great Tomori pass, with the first touch letting him down. Then, he missed a 1v1 as he tried to do too much before pulling the trigger, hitting the post instead. A striker, you can’t miss two chances like that.
Substitutes
De Winter (6): Aside from the dying seconds of the game, when he almost had a dodgy moment, we didn’t really see that much of him and considering how Milan’s defence has been lately, that’s probably a good thing.
Terracciano (N/A): It sounds crazy, but since Bologna didn’t create much at all after Maignan’s injury, there isn’t much to go by for the rating.
Ricci (6.5): He hit the post with a thumping effort from just outside the box, and looked confident overall on the ball. It feels like Allegri should try him in the mezz’ala role from start and not just off the bench.
Pulisic (7.5): Milan lacked creativity up front for most of the game, but that all changed when Captain America entered the pitch. First, he almost got a great goal after dribbling past several Bologna defenders. Then, he should have had an assist with the lovely pass for Gimenez’s 1v1. Finally, he came up with another great pass for Nkunku’s chance.
Nkunku (6): Almost instant impact with that penalty, but sadly a VAR check resulted in the referee changing his decision. Maybe you can argue the Frenchman should have scored it, but you could also say he should have had a penalty for the first foul, so…
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