Milan couldn’t have imagined a worse solution to have a good time their one hundred and twenty fifth birthday than a heart-wrenching 0-0 house draw in opposition to minnows Genoa. Patrick Vieira’s aspect placed on a resilient defensive efficiency at Stadio San Siro, keeping off Paulo Fonseca’s experimental line-up in probably the most uneventful fixtures in latest Serie A reminiscence.
Fonseca left Theo Hernandez on the bench and handed 17-year-old Mattia Liberali his maiden league begin for the senior staff. Nonetheless, his tactical alterations backfired as Milan didn’t create a lot within the closing third regardless of having fun with 57% possession and unleashing 22 makes an attempt on objective.
Stats may very well be deceiving, and that was the case tonight. Other than Tammy Abraham’s poor end and Samuel Chukwueze’s wayward half-volley, Milan didn’t do something noteworthy within the first half. Alvaro Morata took the English striker’s place firstly of the second half, solely to value his aspect what would’ve been three treasured factors.
Emerson Royal compelled an unimaginable diving save from Nicola Leali solely a minute after the break. Nonetheless, it took Milan nearly half an hour of sustained strain to muster their subsequent goalscoring probability. Morata offered considered one of Genoa’s defenders a dummy however fluffed his traces from a promising place.
Three minutes after squandering his first probability, the Spaniard blew Milan’s greatest scoring alternative of the night time. Tijjani Reijnders teed him up with an inch-perfect ball, however Morata inexplicably hit the crossbar from just a few yards out. One other disappointing outcome left Milan a considerable eight factors adrift of the highest 4.
Let’s take a look at our participant rankings.
Milan (4-2-3-1)
Mike Maignan – 6
Genoa’s defensive-minded method made the Frenchman a marginal determine. He didn’t must make a save however needed to keep targeted to clear Malick Thiaw’s catastrophic again cross off the road.
Emerson Royal – 7
Had it not been for Leali’s beautiful cease, he would’ve opened his Milan account. Regardless of failing to supply depth on the wing, the Brazilianpulled off quite a few no-nonsense clearances on the again.
Matteo Gabbia – 7
Along with making gentle work of Andrea Pinamonti and slamming the door shut on the again, the skilled defender emerged as a deep-lying playmaker, producing a number of pinpoint diagonal balls.
Malick Thiaw – 6.5
The German may’ve undone all the nice work in a single second however had Maignan’s consciousness to thank for not scoring a weird personal objective on the closing stretch.
Alejandro Jimenez – 7
Barring sporadic lapses of focus, the Spanish teenager proved an honest backup for Hernandez, finishing plenty of progressive runs and even firing an honest long-range effort late within the first half.
Youssouf Fofana – 6.5
The Frenchman was extra brave within the opposition’s half for a change, but he should suppose and distribute the ball a lot quicker.
Tijjani Reijnders – 7.5
It was disheartening to see this midfield powerhouse waste his expertise alongside a disorganized Milan squad. Absolute masterclass!
Rafael Leao – 6
For a participant sporting the captain’s armband on the membership’s anniversary, the Portuguese winger didn’t rise to the event, delivering a lackluster efficiency.
Mattia Liberali – 5.5
Regardless of exhibiting glimpses of his potential, the Milan teenager typically surrendered possession manner too simply.
Samuel Chukwueze – 4
Blazing the ball into the stands from point-blank vary maybe greatest illustrates the Norwegian’s erratic night. Out-of-sorts!
Tammy Abraham – 3.5
It’s unacceptable for a Milan striker to be this wasteful within the field. Subbed off throughout the break for one more harm concern.
Alvaro Morata – 4