How about we finish a chance guys?
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 9 Master of his domain tonight. He was in lock step with Thiaw and Tomori as the communication and teamwork was near perfect. Dortmund may have 18 shots but only 3 were on target and none were big chances. Often times in big games you need keepers to make 1 or 2 big saves. He did that.
Goal Keeping Overall: 9
Defense
HERNANDEZ 6 Okay defensively but terrible going forward. Time and again he killed breaks on a night when we needed to finish those breaks, especially in the first half, he was hamstringing us. Whether it was a bad first touch, a sloppy pass or a poor shot he was the culprit. You can’t score if you can’t at least get the ball inside the attacking third.
TOMORI AND THIAW 9 Giving them the same rating as Mike. They were so good you almost forgot they were out there. Time and again they were in the right place at the right time. Their work with Maignan was almost musical in it’s perfection. Not a bad foot put in. If Thiaw’s header goes in these two get a perfect 10.
CALABRIA 6.5 Bent but didn’t break… and that’s being nice because he got bent a LOT. I was more than happy to see Florenzi come on.
Defense Overall: 8 Solid.
Midfield
POBEGA 7 Did exactly what Pioli sent him out there to do. Be big and strong and hold the fort for 60 minutes. Mission accomplished. If he gets his head on that Leão cross he’s the hero.
REIJNDERS and MUSAH 7 Was not thrilled with REIJNDERS starting deep but did the job. Was thrilled when Pioli adjusted and sent MUSAH to the back and gave Reijnders more freedom to move. That’s really the best spot for each. Why have guys do a job when they can do the job they are meant for? Kudos to Pioli for making the adjustment and these two for responding. Some day soon Reijnders is gonna explode for 2 goals and 2 assists some night and we all remember the day it happens.
Midfield Overall: 7 Overall I think they laid the ground work for goals to come. It’s not their fault finishing was poor. If any of those chances go in these guys are the engine room for it.
Forwards
LEÃO 6/8 Ran wherever he wanted and whenever he wanted all night. Really did just about everything but everything was just a bit off. Shots wide. Crosses off the mark. Runs into occupied space. Hard to put your finger on it but maybe just needs to take what’s given to him instead of forcing things. Still makes he hold my breath every time he attacks.
GIROUD 5.5 Strikers gotta strike. Had a couple golden chances but failed. The ball from Calabria that he inexplicably missed will stick in my head for a while.
PULISIC 6 Really surprised they didn’t feature him more. We all know former players returning home always have good fortune. I would have pounded away on his side using Leão as a decoy on the other side. Maybe even have the wings flip sides to mess with them. Instead really didn’t get the action he needed.
Forwards Overall: 6 Ugh…
Subs
ADLI 6.5 Came on and did well. Less touches and faster decisions has to be his game. More time can only help that.
FLORENZI 6.5 Used some old man smarts to draw fouls. Put in a few nice crosses. Good work.
OKAFOR 6 Good stuff
CHUKWUEZE 6 You gotta finish that goal brother. It was on a platter for you.
Subs Overall: 6
Coaching
PIOLI 8 Did everything right from the plan to the player selection to the subs. Not his fault they couldn’t finish. No complaints at all.
Final Thoughts
A point on the road is fine. In these CL games we now have 39 shots on goal, 13 on target, 7 big chances and zero goals. That’s on the players not the coach. Now let’s go forward knowing we have the plan and start finishing. I think we sweep PSG and still easily qualify.
Forza Milan
Lisi
