Mike Maignan, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze helped Milan secure a 2-1 win in Newcastle on Wednesday, but it wasn’t enough for the Rossoneri to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16. Check out player ratings.
Milan
Maignan 8 – That Joelinton shot was absolutely uncatchable, but the save to deny Guimaraes in the second half was just stunning.
Calabria 7 – A great defensive performance from the Rossoneri captain, especially in the second half.
Tomori 7.5 – Superb goal-line clearance in the early stages. He was unlucky when he hit the post in the stoppages. Hopefully, Southgate took note.
Theo Hernandez 6.5 – Third consecutive game as a centre-back. Obviously not his natural position, but one wouldn’t say so in the second half.
Florenzi 6.5 – He showed the personality needed in these sorts of games.
Reijnders 5.5 – Too many backward passes. He was often bypassed when Milan built up, and it’s not what should happen to a deep-lying playmaker.
Musah 6.5 – The American midfielder looked confused in the opening 45 minutes, but there was a clear improvement in terms of quality and work-rate after the break. (83′ Chukwueze 7 – Instant impact)
Loftus-Cheek 5 – Sloppy defensively when Newcastle scored the opener through Joelinton. Like many of his teammates, he is clearly not fully fit. (73′ Pobega 6.5)
Pulisic 7 – He was in the right place at the right time to score the equaliser. (73′ Jovic 6.5)
Giroud 7 – Nullified by Newcastle defenders in the first half, but the assist for Pulisic was so smart. (83′ Okafor 7)
Leao 5.5 – The Portuguese returned after over a month and was obviously not fully fit. He was the most dangerous Milan player for a long time but wasted a golden opportunity shortly before Chukwueze’s goal
Coach: Pioli 7.5 – Credit where credit is due. Not many thought Milan could win in Newcastle. The first half was tough for the Rossoneri, but they reacted like a top team does. They failed to qualify for the Round of 16 because of the chances they wasted in the first two games of the group stage.
Newcastle: Dubravka 6; Trippier 6 (63′ Burn 5), Lascelles 5.5, Schar 6, Livramento 5.5; Bruno Guimaraes 6.5, Miley 5 (71′ Longstaff 5), Joelinton 6.5; Almiron 5.5, Gordon 5.5 (62′ Isak 5), Wilson 5. Coach: Howe 4.5