Rafael Leao is Football Italia’s MOTM in Milan’s 2-1 win over Fiorentina. Check out player ratings from the Stadio Franchi.
Fiorentina
Terracciano 6.5 – Some good saves in the first half, but went down a little too early when Loftus-Cheek scored. Not a real mistake anyway.
Dodô 5 – Everyone would have struggled against Leao tonight, imagine somebody who started for the first time since September after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. (69′ Kayode 6)
Milenković 4.5 – Literally pulled down by Leao’s backheel assist, plus he kept a high line when the Portuguese netted the second for Milan. A nightmare.
Martínez Quarta 5 – Started the game with a rough tackle on Leao that cost him a yellow card, but he was slightly less error-prone than fellow centre-back Milenkovic. (88′ Barak N/A)
Biraghi 5.5 – The captain didn’t play well under pressure and wasted possession too many times.
Duncan 6.5 – He stunned Milan with a quick equaliser. A few errors here and there, but solid performance overall.
Mandragora 5.5 – Surprisingly picked over Arthur, but lacked quality.
Ikoné 5.5 – A really promising start for the French winger, but he soon became too flat. We’ve seen it already this season. (88′ Sottil N/A)
Beltrán 6.5 – Italiano has surely found an appropriate role for the Argentinean. Beltran created some promising goal-scoring opportunities by collecting the ball deep. No surprise he received a round of applause when he was subbed off. (79′ Nzola 5)
Kouamé 5 – The Ivory Coast international started the first match after recovering from malaria and didn’t leave his mark. (69′ Nico 5.5)
Belotti 5.5 – Perfect preparation and poor finishing, but their attitude was exemplary.
Coach: Italiano 6—He will be blamed in Florence, but Fiorentina really play good football. It’s not really his fault if the strikers aren’t clinical enough.
Milan
Maignan 7 – Three key saves, two to deny Belotti. Tho ones he produced in the second half were absolutely superb.
Calabria 6 – Kouame and Biraghi didn’t cause too much trouble for him.
Thiaw 5.5 – Not a great impact, he slipped down a couple of times and was subbed off during the break. (46′ Gabbia 5.5)
Tomori 6 – Belotti did have a few chances to score. No big errors anyway, only little imperfections.
Florenzi 6.5 – Replaced the suspended Theo and played with personality.
Bennacer 6 – Fiorentina found space in the middle, especially in the second half. He improved when RLC tracked back.
Reijnders 5.5 – Beltran’s position gave him a hard time. No surprise he was subbed off early in the second half. (63′ Musah 6.5)
Chukwueze 6 – Started over Pulisic who needed to recover after games and triumphs with USMNT. The Nigeria international partially contributed to Milan’s first goal. (73′ Pulisic 6)
Loftus-Cheek 7 – Another game, another goal for the English midfielder, inspired by Leao’s backheel assists. He played as a pure central midfielder when Reijnders was subbed off.
Leão 8 – What a performance. A beautiful goal, but the assist was even better. Rafa was a constant threat to Fiorentina. Easily the man of the match. (63′ Okafor 6)
Giroud 6 – Some very smart moves from the France international, who was rarely dangerous but always made his presence felt. (82′ Jovic N/A).
Coach: Pioli 7 – Milan made it look easy, but it wasn’t. Leao is an added value, but this Milan side have clear ideas.
Positionally when out of possession, milan’s midfield are virtually ghosts! Tomori was nowhere near it the whole game! Bennacer a ghost! Fiorentina were consistently winning aerial duels and then first, second and third knock ons! Maignan saved milan! Pioli has zero tactical Ingenuity! They’re making the same errors as the first few weeks of the season!
Giving giroud a six is divine comedy! He was awful! Two free shots on goal and never looked like hitting a barn door! Got schooled in the air by both fiorentina centre backs and cannot hold up a ball to save his life! He is so lucky to be playing for Milan!