Milan Player Ratings vs Inter: Walker Impassable | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao was minutes away from becoming the first Milan manager to win his two first Derby della Madonnina clashes in charge of the club since Massimiliano Allegri in 2011. However, Inter snatched a last-gasp equalizer to hold the underachieving Rossoneri to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro.

Kyle Walker painted his Milan debut with flying colors, shoring up defensive leaks after succeeding Davide Calabria. Indeed, Conceicao’s side delivered an impressive performance in the opening 45 minutes, denying the division’s most prolific attack any clear-cut chance.

It’s not like Milan dazzled in the final third. However, Tijjani Reijnders returned to the scoresheet to hand last season’s Serie A runners-up the lead on the stroke of halftime. Seemingly satisfied with a slender advantage, Coneicao pulled the lines back in the second half.

Despite getting away on several occasions, Milan eventually paid the price for their overly defensive approach after the break. Inter struck the post three times beyond halftime but drew level in the final moments through Stefan de Vrij, with Nicola Zalewski picking up an assist.

Without further ado, let’s look at our Milan ratings.

Milan (4-3-3)

Mike Maignan – 7

It was a sterling evening for the French goalkeeper as he thwarted Inter’s five attempts on goal before De Vrij’s close-range effort left him powerless on the goal line.

Kyle Walker – 7

Despite failing to offer much in attack, the star right-back was impregnable at the back, dealing with Federico Dimarco and Carlos Augusto with ease.

Fikayo Tomori – 7.5

Back to his best form, the English center-back was rock-solid tonight, faring outstandingly against Serie A’s most dynamic attacking duo.

Strahinja Pavlovic – 7

Though the Serb can still vastly improve his anticipation and timing, his courageous approach and fearless defending made him a valuable asset to the backline.

Theo Hernandez – 6

Milan fans had expected more from the elite left-back, yet he didn’t do much on the opposition’s half, as if he was more focused on his well-documented tussle with Denzel Dumfries.

Yunus Musah – 6

After a nightmare in Zagreb, the USMNT midfielder demonstrated more composure, especially off the ball. However, he still lacked the quality in the crucial moments.

Ismael Bennacer – 6.5

Called upon to fill in for the suspended Youssouf Fofana, the diminutive playmaker rose to the task, though there’s no doubt the long-term spell on the sidelines is still taking its toll.

Tijjani Reijnders – 7.5

The Dutchman returned to be a protagonist for Milan after several sub-par performances, pulling all the strings in the engine room and breaking the deadlock.

Rafael Leao – 6

Another lackluster showing from the superstar! He tried to be a difference-maker in the first half but to no avail. Milan’s defensive approach after the break further clipped his wings.

Christian Pulisic – 6

Not one of his best games in the Milan shirt! The ex-Chelsea winger was far more involved in the build-up than Leao but couldn’t find a crucial final ball.

Tammy Abraham – 5.5

After scoring a memorable winner in the Supercoppa Italiana final, the Roma loanee hoped to haunt Inter again. Only tonight, he had no chance whatsoever.

Substitutes

Alejandro Jimenez – 6

Francesco Camarda – 6.5