Milan dropped two helpful factors in a breathless 3-3 draw in opposition to Serie A minnows Cagliari on the Unipol Domus. Paulo Fonseca’s aspect didn’t construct momentum after a surprising 3-1 UEFA Champions League triumph at Actual Madrid, squandering in all probability their final likelihood to return to the Scudetto image.
Cagliari took the lead after solely two minutes by Nadir Zortea. Nevertheless, Milan replied shortly after by Rafael Leao’s first objective in Serie A since August. The identical participant turned the sport on its head late within the first half with an excellent solo objective.
But it surely’s price noting Cagliari had two first-half targets overruled by VAR. Milan regarded up the creek and not using a paddle on the again, permitting Davide Nicola’s aspect to choose up a well-deserved equalizer solely eight minutes into the second half.
Gabriele Zappa restored parity earlier than Tammy Abraham scored off the bench to place Milan again in entrance within the 69th minute. Unreasonably glad with a slender benefit, Fonseca’s lads relinquished their attacking ambitions after netting the third.
Such a reckless method backfired on Milan down the ultimate stretch. Zappa notched up his first Serie A brace with out an out-of-this-world volley at hand Cagliari some extent, leaving the Rossoneri outdoors the European qualification spots heading into November’s worldwide break.
With out additional ado, let’s have a look at our participant rankings.
Milan (4-2-3-1)
Mike Maignan – 6
Issues would’ve in all probability been completely different had it not been for the French goalkeeper, who pulled off 4 saves to mitigate the injury.
Emerson Royal – 5
His defensive shortcomings got here to the fore in Sardinia as Zito Luvumbo had his quantity all recreation, beating him in just about each one-on-one duel.
Malick Thiaw – 5.5
It seems like ‘one step ahead, two steps again’ for the German center-back. Regardless of a powerful show in Madrid, he appeared bereft of confidence, missing dedication in nearly each intervention.
Strahinja Pavlovic – 5.5
Like his defensive accomplice, the Serbia worldwide had a woeful night on the Unipol Domus, highlighted by quite a few poor anticipations and sloppy clearances.
Theo Hernandez – 6
Milan desperately lacked some ‘Theo magic’ tonight. Along with an unconvincing defensive efficiency, the highly-rated left-back was sub-par in assault.
Youssouf Fofana – 4
A horrible night for the Frenchman! Not solely did he lack imaginative and prescient and precision within the build-up, however he additionally gifted Cagliari the equalizer early within the second half.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6.5
Much better than Fofana however nonetheless not as excellent as he was in opposition to Monza and Actual Madrid, the Dutchman tried to be the spark Milan wanted within the engine room.
Samuel Chukwueze – 6
Regardless of having fun with loads of possession on both aspect of halftime, the left-footed winger noticed his last contact let him down time and time once more.
Christian Pulisic – 5.5
Fonseca can’t afford to misuse the USMNT ahead like this. Enjoying central seemingly suffocates Milan’s standout performer this season.
Rafael Leao – 8
A classic Leao efficiency! After an outstanding chip over the keeper to degree the rating, the Portuguese winger bagged his signature strike, breezing previous the Cagliari protection and Simone Scuffet earlier than placing the ball into an empty web.
Francesco Camarda – 6
A scarcity of service into the field will need to have pissed off the Milan prodigy in his first Serie A begin, although he got here near scoring with a towering header within the second half.
Substitutes
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
Tammy Abraham – 7