2 weeks ago
64
AC Milan ended their pre-season tour in Asia and Australia with a strong 9-0 win against Perth Glory. Several players impressed, even if the opponents weren’t great, and below are the 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. Note: As Milan fielded one XI for each half, I decided to name two MOTMs, i.e. one for each half.
First half XI
Maignan (6.5): The captain was really only called into action once, when the home side put a dangerous cross into the box, but aside from that it was very quiet. So we have to go by his passing for a rating, and thankfully for the Frenchman, the passing was very good at times.
Terracciano (6): He put in a shift defensively, using his physicality to win a lot of duels, but it was a very average display. Yes, average despite opening the scoresheet, as he got lucky with the shot (the goalkeeper should have saved it), though his movement into the box was nice.
Gabbia (5.5): Perhaps the fact that he hasn’t played loads this pre-season made a difference, but he was unusually insecure in some moments. He didn’t always close down his man and the positioning was a bit all over the place.
Pavlovic (7 – MOTM): He saved Milan a couple of times at the start with some crucial interventions, making up for the chaos created by some of his teammates then. He continued to be very good in both phases even when things calmed down, showing why Allegri has played him a lot.
Estupinan (6): As expected, he was aggressive from start to finish and that resulted in some interceptions/balls won back. In attack, he added the overlap a few times and had some good passes in that sense. Decent indeed.
Loftus-Cheek (6.5): He was heavily involved from the start, always picking up good positions, and we saw this expecially on the third goal. By all accounts, he has found his role under Allegri and all parties are reaping the rewards.
Comotto (6): It wasn’t always brilliant in build-up due to some sloppy touches, while defending left a lot to be desired. However, he won a penalty and converted it himself with a dink. He’s still very young, so that’s why he gets a pass here.
Bondo (5.5): In my opinion, it was a very ‘meh’ performance from the midfielder. It felt like he didn’t fully understand his role on the left-hand side of the pitch, only getting into the ‘usual’ positions without being very incisive on the ball.
Chukwueze (6.5): The winger was lively and almost always caused issues for Perth. Getting on the scoresheet was just a matter of time and he did so with a great strike. However, he missed a huge chance (basically an open net) for waiting too long, which is something he cannot afford when the season gets underway. And it hurts his rating here.
Okafor (6.5): Two tap-ins from the Swiss international, or should we say Oka4? Three games, four goals, and some very good indications overall. His positioning was good and he combined well with his teammates today, even if he also missed a chance in front of goal.
Jimenez (6.5): It was a great, trademark, run to set up the second goal. Perth Glory defended pretty poorly, let’s be honest, but the Spaniard certainly exploited it. He also had a dangerous cross into the box that led to the third goal.
Second half XI
Terracciano (7): He saved the youngster Dutu with a fantastic 1v1 stop, keeping the clean sheet intact when, really, that should have been a goal for the home side. In other words, he showed once again that he’s a very capable backup.
Magni (6): The youngster wasn’t afraid to go forward and had some good one-twos in attack. It wasn’t anything special, though, but he did enough to get a pass for sure.
Tomori (6): Milan didn’t have much to do at the back in the second half, let’s be honest, but the Englishman at least got the job done when needed. He also had a more advanced position towards the end which he handled well, after the move to a three-man backline.
Thiaw (6): If my memory serves me right, he was the one who headed the ball towards Liberali for the first goal of the second half. Aside from that, though, it was a standard display from him with nice passing and duels won.
Bartesaghi (6.5): A much more mature display compared to the previous friendlies. He played it safe most of the time but always made sure he was available. With just five minutes to go, he showed off his qualities with a fantastic cross for Leao.
Musah (6.5): It was decent overall, playing on the right-hand side rather than in the middle. When you add the goal to the equation, which was a cheeky finish indeed, it only makes sense to give him slightly higher than a pass here.
Ricci (7 – MOTM): He just oozes elegance. The passing was brilliant yet again, with a 100% (!) pass accuracy per the stats companies, but his movement also stood out a lot. Oh, and what a strike it was to find the back of the net! It’s clear he will be crucial this season.
Fofana (5): That was… Rough. While he was unlucky not to score with a good shot on the edge of the box, he was responsible for some very questionable passing at times. He also lost the ball in an outrageous position (excuse the hyperbole), which should’ve resulted in a goal conceded. Considering the opponents, the fact that he struggled is worrying.
Saelemaekers (6): He wasn’t always super successful with his final touch, but you can’t deny that he constantly forced the opponents to work defensively. He twists and turns, creates space and combines well with his teammates, as seen with the assist for Ricci. But he needs to be a bit sharper.
Liberali (7): It’s a shame that he’s about to leave on a permanent basis, because that was a very good display. He was lively from the start, getting the assist for Leao with a nice little flick-on, and then he was also heavily involved in Ricci’s goal. He was unlucky not to get goal himself with two good efforts blocked.
Leao (7): The first goal was incredibly on-brand if you look at how he has played under Allegri so far. Just about onside, using his speed and then a calm finish in front of goal. He was involved in Ricci’s goal too, and never really stopped moving, which the header to make it 9-0 was a testament to.
Substitutes
Dutu (4.5): He will feel bad about that, undoubtedly, as one of his few involvements was losing the ball as the last man. Terracciano bailed him out on that one, that’s for sure.
English (US) ·