Ismael Bennacer and Christian Pulisic significantly contributed to Milan‘s 1-0 win over Sassuolo, but Rafael Leao failed to impress again.
- Match report – Serie A | Milan 1-0 Sassuolo: Pulisic to the rescue
Milan
Maignan 6.5 – A superb fingertip save in the first half to deny Berardi.
Calabria 6 – Comfortably controlled Laurienté who didn’t have his best day anyway.
Kjaer 6.5 – Milan’s only fit centre-back nullified Pinamonti. (82′ Simic N/A)
Theo Hernández 6.5 – Returned to central defence with all the other centre-backs, except Kjaer, injured. A solid performance.
Florenzi 6 – Berardi wasn’t the easiest opponent, but Florenzi didn’t capitulate.
Loftus-Cheek 6 – Far from his best shape, but his physicality was still extremely useful to Milan. (74′ Zeroli 6)
Bennacer 7 – Inspired Pulisic’s winner with a lovely through ball. Milan have missed the Algeria international and will miss him again next month during the AFCON. (63′ Adli 6)
Reijnders 5.5 – The Dutchman has great quality, but he must be more decisive in the final third. For example, he had a great chance to score in the second half, but his right-foot attempt was too soft.
Pulisic 7 – The USMNT captain Scored his sixth Serie A goal this season and it was a decisive one.
Giroud 5.5 – Fought hard, but didn’t have many chances. (63′ Jovic 6)
Leão 5 – This is just not enough. The Portuguese hasn’t scored a Serie A goal since September, but the most worrying thing against Sassuolo is that he rarely won one-to-one duels, especially in the first half. Potentially, he is the best player in the league, but he’s not proving it this season. (81′ Chukwueze N/A)
Coach: Pioli 7 – The pressure was huge and the injury situation isn’t getting any better. However, the Rossoneri secured a deserved victory which keeps them in the top four and gives Pioli more reasons to celebrate the new year.
Sassuolo: Consigli 6; Toljan 6.5, Erlić 6 (46′ Ruan 5.5), Ferrari 6, Pedersen 6.5; Thorstvedt 5.5 (89′ Ceide N/A), Henrique 6; Berardi 6 (70′ Castillejo 5.5), Bajrami 5 (65′ Volpato 6), Laurienté 5 (89′ Mulattieri N/A); Pinamonti 5.5. Coach: Dionisi 5.