AC Milan claimed three huge points in the game against Napoli thanks to a first-half goal by Theo Hernandez. The Frenchman, along with a few others, stood out and below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri.
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 (6.5): He was forced to a few saves this evening and also did well in the aerial duels, coming out and clearing the lines for Milan. Overall, a decent performance from the Frenchman.
Calabria (N/A): The captain was subbed off after just 36 minutes due to injury and he thus didn’t play enough to get a rating.
Kjaer (5): A very tough evening for the Dane, above all showcasing poor positioning which usually is one of his main strengths. He lost Simeone on Napoli’s golden opportunity and then attempted a dreadful tackle on Kvara, which probably should have resulted in a goal.
Gabbia (7.5): Another very, very good performance by the academy product, always breathing down the neck of his opponent and making several interceptions. Furthermore, he was at the right place at the right time in the box, clearing many (and some dangerous) crosses.
Hernandez (8): Outstanding at times from the Frenchman, scoring the opener after a great run in the first half, and stepping up defensively in the second half. It didn’t look like the Napoli attackers could beat him at times and his runs forward destroyed most of the momentum for them as well.
Adli (6): A mixed bag once again from the Frenchman, but in the end he did enough to get a pass here. He used his ability on the ball in a much better way in the second half, after what was a questionable first 45.
Bennacer (6): He had one really poor giveaway, which could have been costly, but he was good otherwise and actually made several key defensive contributions. We can demand more from him with his passing, though, with not as many vertical passes today.
Pulisic (5.5): Pretty much invisible for most of the game, aside from a touch here and there, and one could probably argue that was because Milan attacked down the left-hand side instead. Rightfully subbed off in the end.
Loftus-Cheek (5.5): He can be very good at times when first receiving the ball and setting off with it, but he lacks so much when it comes to timing. He had a few good opportunities today that simply were not exploited. One good block in defence that should be highlighted, but far too poor in attack and sloppy overall.
Leao (7): Fantastic pass to Theo for the first goal, and almost every chance that Milan created today involved the winger in one way or another. He nearly scored with a curling effort, and perhaps he should have done better there, but the rating is warranted simply because he added an x-factor tonight and put Napoli in difficulty.
Giroud (6): Another display that was rather quiet from the Frenchman overall, but he was involved in the first goal and thus had an impact on the game in the end.
Substitutes
Florenzi (6): He did well overall and saved Milan on one occasion, when Kjaer completely mistimed a tackle against Kvara.
Simic (5.5): Nearly scored an own-goal after a failed clearance, which was unlucky indeed but still could have been costly for Milan.
Musah (6): He did what was needed, covering a lot of ground and also making sure to push forward when given the ball (to force Napoli to track back).
Jimenez (N/A): He didn’t play enough to get a rating.
Jovic (N/A): He didn’t play enough to get a rating.
The manager
Pioli (6): You could definitely say that it was a poor game from Milan, but they played to their strengths (counter-attack and low defending) just like we saw in the Champions League games against Napoli last season. And the win is all that matters in the end.
