The white numbers look SO much better on TV. Too bad the finishing didn’t match. Let’s go!
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 7 Thought he was MUCH more active in this game than in the Derby over the weekend. This looked more like the usual Maignan. Distribution still wasn’t great but looked far more in control.
SPORTIELLO 8 Came in cold late after Maignan got injured. Tipped one over the bar that may or may not have been on target. Sometimes that’s all you need to do as the backup. Just keep things CLEAN. Gets an 8 mostly because of that but also because his last name isn’t Tatarusanu.
Goal Keeping Overall: 7.5
Defense
HERNANDEZ 6 Hung back a bit and honestly looked like he needed it. Made a couple dashes upfield early but later on REALLY looked tired. That led to some sloppy giveaways that slowed things down. We are gonna need to rotate him here and there this year so we don’t kill him.
TOMORI 8 Easily his best game of the season. Erased anything that came his way and was near flawless in distribution. Zero silly challenges from behind. Really looked the part today after having some uneven performances so far this year. This is the guy we need leading the back line.
THIAW 6.5 Better than Saturday. Much better. The more of these higher level games he gets the better he will be. Remember he’s only 22. In CB years that is a baby.
CALABRIA 6.5 Was really stuck in early and eventually became somewhat unglued. Card was silly but fortunately old friend Tonali was there to calm him down. His jumping into the middle I like less and less. He’s too small and get’s pushed around too easily.
Defense Overall: 7 Not great but not bad. For what little they were challenged they were up to the task.
Midfield
POBEGA 7 Thought he did very well. Cracked 2 really good shots, one of which was saved and the other was cleared off the line. Like the presence he gave us in the midfield while RLC stayed high.
KRUNIC 7.5 It’s amazing how much attention he gets from opposing teams for a guy most people think stinks. Like Inter he was essentially man marked or bracketed most of the game suffering numerous fouls. Still he held the fort and was unfazed.
LOFTUS-CHEEK 6 SIGH…I’m starting not to like him. I think he sits far too high, never tracks back and is just kinda lazy. He will make a nice play on a set piece… but then stands and watches while the opposing team counters. I can live with the wings and striker not tracking back. A mid though? Nah. We can’t have that. Also ends up on the ground a LOT. It’s almost like the game plan is for him to stand beside Giroud at times. That just makes things too crowded.
Midfield Overall: 7 Overall I think they laid the ground work for goals to come. If that ball isn’t cleared off the line Pobega is the hero. Imagine that?
Forwards
LEÃO 6/8 Tried to do to much without the space to do it. Every time he got on a run we had someone in the way. Thought he fell in love with cutting in too much. Doesn’t help that I don’t think his teammates see it coming. That end line run is really his bread and butter. Should be doing that 70% of the time. Not a bad game just not a great one. Annoyed we didn’t once try to find his head on a cross at the back post with the overmatched Trippier trying to cover him.
GIROUD 5.5 Hold up play was good but just too stagnant in the box. Predictable. Made Botman’s job too easy. I would have really liked to have seen Okafor late.
CHUKWUEZE 6 Lots of signs of life but also is doing a LOT of unnecessary running defensively. Once he gets that piece down I think he takes off. Also has a tendency to over run the player with the ball and end up offsides. Needs to do a better job at setting those runs and then exploding into space. That timing will come. Delightful chance on a header that Pope made a very nice save on.
Forwards Overall: 6 Ugh…
Subs
FLORENZI 7 Came on for Calabria who was on a yellow. Had one glorious cross he put onto a charging Leão’s head. Otherwise did a job. Big fan of that tactic.
REIJNDERS 6.5 Thought he came on and provided a bit of a spark. Duffed a really good chance. Still maybe a bit above his pay grade.
PULISIC 6.5 Provided some needed width late but we just couldn’t do anything width it. Plays so smart.
MUSAH 7 A furious 10 minutes at the end. He will make a great addition to the midfield. His pace is off the charts. Very strong on the ball as well. Can’t wait to see more of him.
Subs Overall: 7 Every one of them had something to offer. A great showing.
Coaching
PIOLI 8 Pulled all the strings including nailing every sub. Startng lineup was solid as both Pobega and Chukwueze played really well creating several chances each. As predicted HERE he brought on Reijnders and Pulisic at the 60th minute to take advantage of tried legs. Sometimes you can do everything right as a manager and still come up short.
Final Thoughts
Overall a solid game by all. Can’t really think of anyone that stunk up the place. Leão is getting roasted for not finishing but that doesn’t mean he didn’t work his tail off to get in positions to score. We played 16 guys and none of them were a liability. If we win this game 1-0 you can bump everyone’s rating up a point across the board. None of these guys allowed the energy to drop or gave Newcastle hope. The depth of this group is simply light years ahead of what we had last year. Just think for a moment who the 5 subs would have been that we would have had to bring on last year. That will provide competition in multiple spots which as a coach is something you always want.
Forza Milan
Lisi
