Italian media name top five Milan players in win over Slavia Praha

AC Milan's players (front) celebrate after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg football match between Slavia Prague and AC Milan in Prague on March 14, 2024. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Italian sports papers, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao were Milan’s best players against Slavia Praha, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mike Maignan, and Theo Hernandez also impressed.

Milan won 3-1 over Slavia on Thursday in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16. They eventually beat the Czech side 7-3 on aggregate, qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Rafael Leao shone in Prague with one assist and one goal, a stunning curler from outside the box.

According to Gazzetta, Leao was Milan’s best player on the pitch last night as the Portuguese was rated 7.5/10, slightly higher than Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Maignan, who all received 7/10.

The France keeper suffered a knee injury but had time to produce a save with his wounded leg before being replaced by Marco Sportiello at minute 20.

Il Corriere dello Sport rated both Leao and Pulisic 7.5/10, higher than Loftus-Cheek and Theo (7).

Milan player ratings v. Slavia

Gazzetta: Maignan 7 (21′ Sportiello 6); Calabria 6 (45′ Kalulu 6), Gabbia 6.5, Tomori 5.5 (45′ Thiaw 5.5), Theo Hernández 6.5; Adli 6.5, Musah 5; Pulisic 7 (62′ Chukwueze 5.5), Loftus-Cheek 7 (76′ Reijnders N/A), R. Leão 7.5; Giroud 6. Coach: Pioli 7

Corriere dello Sport: Maignan 6.5 (21′ Sportiello 6); Calabria 6 (45′ Kalulu 6), Gabbia 6.5, Tomori 6 (45′ Thiaw 5.5), Theo Hernández 7; Adli, Musah 6.5; Pulisic 7.5 (62′ Chukwueze 6), Loftus-Cheek 7 (76′ Reijnders N/A), R. Leão 7.5; Giroud 6. Coach: Pioli 7

Tuttosport: Maignan 6.5 (21′ Sportiello 6); Calabria 6 (45′ Kalulu 6), Gabbia 6.5, Tomori 6 (45′ Thiaw 6), Theo Hernández 6.5; Adli 6, Musah 6.5; Pulisic 7.5 (62′ Chukwueze 5.5), Loftus-Cheek 7 (76′ Reijnders N/A), R. Leão 7.5; Giroud 6. Coach: Pioli 7