Player Ratings: Inter 2-3 AC Milan – Theo, Pulisic and Leao assert star status | OneFootball

AC Milan clinched their first trophy of the season as they came back from 0-2 behind to beat Inter 3-2 in Saudi Arabia. Several players were crucial for the Rossoneri, in particular three of them, and below are the ratings.

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out how we decide the player ratings. From the scale to what affects the rating, we have compiled everything there.

Starting XI

Maignan (7.5): Pivotal this evening, despite two goals conceded, as he made some very good saves. First on Dimarco in the second half, then on Augusto and finally on Dumfries. He was left completely alone on the goals conceded so he cannot be blamed there.

Emerson Royal (5): While he did have some positive attacking actions in the second half, the defending can only be described with one word and that is shocking. He was responsible for the first goal conceded, WALKING BACK despite Inter taking a quick throw-in. It’s something that we simply cannot allow. There were some more questionable defending after that too.

Tomori (5.5): It might sound harsh given Milan won the game, but like Emerson the defending just wasn’t good enough from the Englishman. There were huge gaps between him and Thiaw, as seen on the goal, and he wasn’t close enough to the strikers.

Thiaw (6): The German was also to blame for the second goal, without a doubt, but he did better overall compared to his colleague. A great block at the end confirmed this and this salvaged his rating here. That being said, we have seen much better games from him.

Hernandez (8): Possibly could have done better on the first goal, but the defence was all over the place because of how swiftly Inter made it happen. Throughout the game, he showed that the ‘old Theo’ is very much alive with great runs forward, as seen on the assist for Pulisic’s goal, and a great free-kick to bring Milan back into the game. GRINTA.

Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images

Musah (6.5): The American had some very good positioning throughout the game and managed to unlock several situations in attack with swift movement and good ball control. It was right to sub him off, given what the game needed, but he was quite good before that.

Fofana (6): He was responsible for many good interceptions but the passing certainly could have been better tonight. Conceicao has clearly given him the role to press high but it creates issues in defence, but we have to assume that is a tactical issue rather than an individual one. In other words, it won’t affect his rating here, but if it did he would get a 5.5.

Jimenez (5.5): It was a pretty anonymous display from him and the backpass that led to Inter’s goal wasn’t good, no matter how poor Emerson was after that. It was definitely right to sub him off, but he’s young and will continue to grow.

Reijnders (6): The Dutchman managed to create a couple of dangerous chances for himself but the final touch, i.e. the shot, wasn’t quite there tonight. Still, a decent display from him but like Fofana he also struggled in the defensive transition.

Pulisic (8): Clutch, as we have said so many times before. He did a lot better on the right and the goal was proof of his qualities, receiving the ball inside the box, creating some space, and finding the back of the net with a great left-footed finish. Then he set up Leao with a hockey assist, so he was involved in the winner (scored by Abraham).

Morata (6): He won back the ball which led to Theo’s goal, as Leao received it in a dangerous position and was fouled. The Spaniard did have a good chance with the head which he failed to convert, though, and perhaps a bit of composure was lacking in the box.

Substitutes

Leao (8): Talk about impact. He won the free-kick which Theo converted, played a great pass to Theo (for Pulisic’s goal) and then made the run and assist for Abraham’s winner. He’s so important and he has certainly started well under Conceicao.

Loftus-Cheek (6.5): He was needed at that time of the game as Milan lacked strength in the middle, and energy let’s be honest. He did well.

Abraham (7.5): Right place, right time. The rating is more or less only based on the goal, but given the importance I think it’s justified. He’s also a player that has started well under Conceicao.

Calabria (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.