AC Milan Dominate Real Madrid: Player Ratings
AC Milan delivered a stunning performance, humbling Real Madrid 3-0 in a dominant display at the San Siro. The Rossoneri showcased their tactical prowess and individual brilliance, leaving Carlo Ancelotti's side completely outplayed.
Here's a breakdown of the player ratings for both teams:
AC Milan
GK: Mike Maignan (9/10): A rock in goal. Made several crucial saves, including a breathtaking stop from Vinicius Junior, and commanded his box with authority.
RB: Davide Calabria (8/10): Exceptional defensively, shutting down the dangerous Vinicius. Also provided a constant threat going forward, overlapping with intensity.
CB: Fikayo Tomori (8/10): Dominated the aerial battles, showcasing his strength and tactical awareness. Read the game brilliantly, intercepting passes and thwarting Real Madrid's attacks.
CB: Pierre Kalulu (8/10): A tireless performer, Kalulu kept Benzema quiet, intercepting passes and winning tackles. His ability to anticipate and react quickly made him a key asset.
LB: Theo Hernandez (9/10): A whirlwind of energy and attacking brilliance. Provided the assist for Leao's goal, creating havoc down the left flank, and consistently testing Real Madrid's defense.
CM: Sandro Tonali (8/10): The engine room for AC Milan. Controlled the midfield with precision, dictating the tempo and disrupting Real Madrid's rhythm.
CM: Rade Krunic (8/10): A standout performance. Won countless tackles, covered ground effectively, and provided crucial support to the attack.
RW: Alexis Saelemaekers (7/10): Worked tirelessly on the right wing, providing width and stretching the Real Madrid defense. His energy and pace made him a valuable asset.
CAM: Brahim Diaz (8/10): The orchestrator of Milan's attack. His vision and passing accuracy were key to breaking down Real Madrid's defense, including the pinpoint pass for Leao's second goal.
LW: Rafael Leao (9/10): The star of the show! Scored two beautiful goals, displaying his pace, skill, and clinical finishing. His runs and dribbling ability constantly troubled Real Madrid's defense.
ST: Olivier Giroud (7/10): A constant nuisance for the Real Madrid defense. His hold-up play, physicality, and clever movement caused problems for Real Madrid.
Substitutes:
Charles De Ketelaere (6/10): Brought fresh legs and creativity to the attack.
Real Madrid
GK: Thibaut Courtois (5/10): Couldn't do much about the goals, but his distribution was inconsistent, and he seemed caught off guard by AC Milan's intensity.
RB: Dani Carvajal (5/10): Struggled against the pace and directness of Theo Hernandez. His attacking threat was subdued, and he was often caught out of position defensively.
CB: Eder Militao (5/10): Found it difficult to handle the physicality of Giroud and the movement of Leao. Several mistimed tackles and poor positioning led to Milan's goals.
CB: Antonio Rudiger (5/10): A disappointing performance from Rudiger. He struggled to cope with the pace and power of AC Milan's attack, and lacked his usual assertiveness.
LB: Ferland Mendy (5/10): Couldn't get forward effectively and was often caught out of position defensively. He seemed to lack the energy and decisiveness that he's usually known for.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga (6/10): Worked hard but couldn't exert his usual influence on the game. Struggled to break into the Milan midfield, and his passing was off-target.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10): A quiet game from the usually dominant midfielder. He lacked his usual aggression and influence, failing to win many tackles or control the midfield.
RW: Federico Valverde (6/10): Tried to inject some energy but his runs were often cut short. He struggled to make a significant impact on the game.
CAM: Luka Modric (6/10): Tried to control the tempo but struggled to make an impact. His passing was off, and he didn't have the same influence he usually does.
LW: Vinicius Junior (5/10): A frustrating night for the Brazilian star. He was tightly marked by Calabria and couldn't create space or produce his usual magic.
ST: Karim Benzema (5/10): Completely anonymous throughout the game. He was isolated and unable to create any chances. He was visibly frustrated and struggled to impact the game.
Substitutes:
Rodrygo (6/10): Brought some energy and pace but couldn't turn the tide.
Marco Asensio (5/10): Failed to make a significant impact.
Conclusion:
AC Milan's victory was a complete team effort, showcasing their tactical prowess, individual brilliance, and relentless energy. Real Madrid were outplayed, lacking their usual fluidity and creativity. The Rossoneri's dominance sends a clear message: they are a force to be reckoned with in Europe.