AC Milan lifted their first trophy of the season when they came from 2-0 down to beat Inter 3-2 in Saudi Arabia. Several players were crucial for the Rossoneri, three of them in particular. Below you will find the reviews.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check it out how we decide on player ratings. From the scale to the impact on the rating, we have put everything together there.

Starting XI

Maignan (7.5): Despite conceding two goals, he was crucial on the night as he made some very good saves. First against Dimarco in the second half, then against Augusto and finally against Dumfries. He was left completely alone with the goals conceded, so you can’t blame him.

Emerson Royal (5): Although he showed some positive attacking action in the second half, the defense can only be described in one word and that is shocking. He was responsible for the first goal conceded and went back despite Inter taking a quick throw-in. We simply cannot allow that. There were also some questionable defenses after that.

Tomori (5.5): It may sound harsh considering Milan won the game, but like Emerson, the Englishman’s defense simply wasn’t good enough. There was a big gap between him and Thiaw, as you could see at the goal, and he wasn’t close enough to the strikers.

Thiaw (6): The German was also undoubtedly to blame for the second goal, but overall he performed better than his colleague. A great block at the end confirmed this and saved his score here. Still, we’ve seen much better games from him.

Hernandez (8): Maybe they could have done more with the first goal, but the defense was in disarray because Inter were shooting so quickly. Throughout the game he showed that the ‘old Theo’ was very much alive, with great forays forward, as seen in the assist for Pulisic’s goal, and a great free-kick that brought Milan back into the game. GRINTA.

Musah (6.5): The American positioned himself very well throughout the game and managed to master several attacking situations with quick movements and good ball control. Given the demands of the game, subbing him was the right thing to do, but he was pretty good beforehand.

Fofana (6): He was responsible for a lot of good interceptions, but the passing game certainly could have been better tonight. Conceicao has clearly given him the task of high pressing, but that causes problems in defense, but we have to assume that it is more of a tactical problem than an individual one. In other words, it doesn’t affect his rating here, but if it did he would get a 5.5.

Jimenez (5.5): It was a fairly anonymous performance from him and the back pass that led to Inter’s goal wasn’t good, no matter how bad Emerson was afterwards. It was definitely the right thing to replace him, but he is young and will continue to grow.

Reijnders (6): The Dutchman managed to create a few dangerous chances, but the finishing touch, i.e. the shot, wasn’t quite there tonight. Still a decent performance from him, but like Fofana he also had problems with the defensive transition.

Pulisic (8): Clutch, as we have said so many times. He performed much better on the right and the goal was a testament to his qualities: he received the ball in the penalty area, created some space and hit the net with a great left-footed shot. He then prepared Leao with an ice hockey assist so that he was involved in the winning goal (goal by Abraham).

Morata (6): He won the ball back which led to Theo’s goal when Leao received it from a dangerous position and was fouled. However, the Spaniard had a good header chance, but he couldn’t convert it and perhaps lacked a little composure in the penalty area.

Substitute

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 is so important and has certainly made a good start under Conceicao.

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

Abraham (7.5): Right place, right time. The evaluation is more or less based solely on the objective, but given the importance, I think it is justified. He is also a player who got off to a good start under Conceicao.

Calabria (N/A): We haven’t seen enough to give it a rating.