Real Madrid 1-3 AC Milan: Player Ratings
The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed a thrilling encounter as AC Milan secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly. While the result may have disappointed the home crowd, the match offered a glimpse into the potential of both sides as they gear up for the upcoming season. Here's a breakdown of the player ratings, highlighting key performances that shaped the outcome:
Real Madrid
Courtois (6/10): Made some good saves but couldn't prevent the goals. His distribution was also a bit shaky at times.
Carvajal (6/10): Solid defensively but offered little going forward.
Rüdiger (6/10): A commanding presence in the backline, but looked slightly rusty.
Alaba (5/10): Had a difficult evening against the pace of the Milan attackers.
Mendy (6/10): Energetic down the left flank, but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Kroos (6/10): Dictated the tempo in midfield, but lacked his usual sharpness in the final third.
Tchouaméni (7/10): Energetic and combative in midfield, showcasing his defensive capabilities.
Modrić (6/10): Still showing glimpses of his brilliance, but the pace of the game seemed to affect his performance.
Rodrygo (7/10): Always looking dangerous, creating the most chances for Real Madrid.
Vinicius Jr. (6/10): Tried to make things happen but struggled to find his rhythm.
Benzema (5/10): A frustrating night for the striker, failing to find the back of the net and looking off-form.
Substitutes:
Asensio (6/10): Added creativity and attacking threat after coming on.
Camavinga (6/10): Brought fresh energy to midfield.
Valverde (6/10): Solid defensively, but couldn't contribute much going forward.
Diaz (6/10): Offered an attacking spark in his brief appearance.
Nacho (N/A): Came on too late to be rated.
AC Milan
Maignan (7/10): A solid performance from the French goalkeeper, making key saves and showcasing his composure.
Calabria (7/10): Strong defensively, also providing attacking width on the right flank.
Tomori (7/10): Dominant at the back, winning most aerial duels and making crucial interceptions.
Thiaw (7/10): A strong debut for the young defender, looking comfortable and confident.
Theo Hernandez (8/10): The standout performer for Milan, scoring a brilliant goal and constantly posing a threat down the left.
Pobega (7/10): Energetic and effective in midfield, winning tackles and providing support in attack.
Krunić (6/10): A reliable presence in midfield, offering composure and tactical awareness.
Reijnders (7/10): Impressive in his first game for Milan, showing good vision and passing range.
Leao (8/10): A constant menace to the Real Madrid defense, scoring a goal and creating numerous chances.
Giroud (7/10): A strong and physical presence up front, leading the line effectively.
Substitutes:
Loftus-Cheek (7/10): Added further energy and creativity in midfield.
Saelemaekers (6/10): Provided attacking width and offered an outlet on the right flank.
Origi (N/A): Came on too late to be rated.
Conclusion:
AC Milan's victory was a statement of intent, highlighting their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. The performance of players like Theo Hernandez and Leao will have given Milan fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season. Real Madrid, on the other hand, will need to improve their defensive organization and regain their sharpness in attack if they are to challenge for trophies this year.