AC Milan 3-1 Real Madrid: Player Ratings Breakdown
The San Siro erupted in a sea of red and black as AC Milan delivered a stunning 3-1 victory over reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid. The Rossoneri put on a masterclass of counter-attacking football, showcasing their tactical prowess and unwavering determination. Let's break down the performance of each player and assign ratings to reflect their individual contributions:
AC Milan:
Gianluigi Donnarumma (8/10): The Italian shot-stopper was a commanding presence in goal, making several key saves, including a crucial denial of Vinicius Junior's effort in the second half. He exhibited great composure and anticipation, showcasing his world-class talent.
Davide Calabria (7.5/10): The right-back was a menace down the flank, providing a constant attacking threat and delivering pinpoint crosses into the box. He also showed his defensive mettle, thwarting Real Madrid's attacks with his pace and tackling ability.
Pierre Kalulu (7/10): The young defender was solid at the heart of the Milan defense, making crucial interceptions and tackles to keep Real Madrid's dangerous attack at bay. He displayed composure and tactical awareness, helping to maintain the clean sheet for a significant period.
Fikayo Tomori (7.5/10): Tomori was a rock at the back, forming a formidable partnership with Kalulu. He was dominant in the air, winning numerous aerial duels and clearing any danger that came his way. He showcased his strength and physicality, successfully containing Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
Theo Hernandez (8.5/10): The French left-back was an absolute whirlwind down the left flank. He was a constant menace, providing dangerous crosses and surging forward with pace and power. He delivered a crucial assist for Brahim Diaz's opener and played a pivotal role in Milan's dominant performance.
Sandro Tonali (8/10): The Italian midfielder was the heart of the Milan midfield, dictating the tempo and providing a solid defensive shield. He was tireless in his efforts, winning possession in key areas and showcasing his impressive range of passing. He played a crucial role in launching counter-attacks and controlling the flow of the match.
Rade Krunić (7/10): Krunić was a vital cog in Milan's midfield machine, providing tireless work rate and key interceptions. He displayed his versatility, filling in different positions effectively and providing a reliable presence in midfield.
Brahim Diaz (9/10): The Spanish playmaker was a constant threat throughout the game, showcasing his technical brilliance and creativity. He opened the scoring with a fantastic finish and was involved in numerous other attacking moves. His movement, passing, and finishing were exceptional.
Rafael Leao (7.5/10): The Portuguese winger caused havoc with his pace and dribbling skills. He provided a constant outlet on the counter-attack, stretching the Real Madrid defense and delivering key assists.
Junior Messias (7/10): Messias came off the bench and made an immediate impact. He added fresh legs to the attack and played a key role in extending Milan's lead. He showcased his pace, dribbling ability, and finishing prowess.
Olivier Giroud (8/10): The French striker was a constant nuisance for the Real Madrid defense, holding the ball up effectively and creating space for his teammates. He delivered a clinical finish for Milan's third goal, showcasing his predatory instincts.
Real Madrid:
Thibaut Courtois (5/10): The Belgian goalkeeper was largely a spectator for most of the match, but he was ultimately powerless to stop Milan's relentless attack. He could have done better on a couple of occasions, especially on the second goal.
Dani Carvajal (6/10): The Spanish right-back struggled to contain the threat posed by Theo Hernandez. He was often caught out of position and lacked the pace to match the Frenchman's dynamism.
Eder Militao (5/10): The Brazilian defender was caught out of position on numerous occasions and struggled to deal with Milan's counter-attacks. He lacked the composure and physicality to effectively deal with the threat posed by Giroud and Leao.
David Alaba (6/10): The Austrian defender was steady in defense but lacked the dynamism to support Real Madrid's attack. He struggled to cope with the pace and movement of Milan's attacking players.
Ferland Mendy (6/10): The French left-back put in a solid performance, but he was unable to replicate his usual attacking threat. He struggled to contain the threat posed by Calabria and failed to provide sufficient support in attack.
Federico Valverde (5/10): The Uruguayan midfielder was largely ineffective in midfield, lacking the creativity and dynamism to impact the game. He struggled to win possession and create chances for his teammates.
Toni Kroos (6/10): The German midfielder was his usual composed self, dictating the tempo and providing accurate passes. However, he was unable to unlock the Milan defense and was overshadowed by Tonali's dominant performance.
Luka Modrić (6/10): The Croatian maestro was a shadow of his usual self, lacking the sharpness and vision to impact the match. He struggled to create chances and influence the game.
Vinicius Junior (6/10): The Brazilian winger was a constant threat with his pace and dribbling skills, but he was unable to find a way past Donnarumma. He was frustrated by Milan's tight defense and lacked the precision in his final ball.
Karim Benzema (5/10): The French striker was largely anonymous throughout the game, failing to create any clear-cut chances. He was well-marshalled by Tomori and Kalulu and struggled to find space in the box.
Rodrygo (6/10): The Brazilian winger came off the bench and provided a spark of attacking intent. He created a few chances and was unlucky not to score a goal.
Overall:
AC Milan's victory was a testament to their tactical discipline, attacking prowess, and unwavering belief. Their counter-attacking style proved too much for Real Madrid to handle, as the reigning Champions League holders struggled to cope with the pace and dynamism of the Rossoneri. This was a performance that will be remembered for years to come, showcasing Milan's potential as a force to be reckoned with in European football.
Note: These ratings are subjective and based on individual performances within the context of the match. Other factors, such as team performance and overall impact on the game, are also considered.