Player Ratings: Como 1-2 AC Milan – Leao decisive; Morata struggles | OneFootball

AC Milan came back from one goal behind to win against Como this evening, clinching their first three points under Sergio Conceicao. Rafael Leao ended up being decisive and below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri.

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out how we decide the player ratings. From the scale to what affects the rating, we have compiled everything there.

Starting XI

Maignan (6.5): The goal conceded was mostly Theo’s fault, of course, but we have seen Maignan let in quite a lot of strikes at the near post. It’s something to keep an eye on anyway. In the dying minutes of the game, he made a crucial reflex save to preserve the three points, and that bumped his rating up a lot.

Emerson Royal (5.5): In the first half, he was very poor in attack with slow movement and taking too much time on the ball in crossing situations. He also got beaten at the back. In the second half, however, he stood his ground and actually won the battle against his man (who threw himself to the ground all the time) and he was decent enough in attack. Still, a 5.5 is justified here because we cannot afford 45 very poor minutes.

Tomori (6): It looked a bit shaky as it often does for the Englishman at the start of the game, but I have to say he improved and played to his strengths. By no means spectacular, we still need to see better passing from him, but good enough against a team of Como’s calibre.

Thiaw (6): He was carded in the first half for a late challenge on the edge of the box, but aside from that he defended really well. Above all, and we keep saying this, his passing was pivotal in the build-up with some great long balls and vertical passes.

Hernandez (6): He lost a lot of 1v1s with his man, as seen on the goal. It simply wasn’t good enough from the Frenchman and it’s very difficult to rate him tonight. Because of course, his strike – albeit lucky – was decisive in the turnaround. He gets a pass as such, but only just.

Bennacer (5.5): It wasn’t dreadful, let’s make that clear, but he’s still lacking positional awareness to find his place on the pitch. He also attempted too many difficult moves in possession, resulting in lost balls in dangerous situations.

Fofana (5.5): Just like his colleagues, it was a performance that unfortunately included more negative than positive actions. He pressed way too high on the goal conceded, made some questionable decisions in attack and struggled overall with the balance.

Reijnders (5.5): The Dutchman misses a huge chance to give Milan the lead in the first half. Arguably, he should have put that one away. He also had several poor touches in attack, even if his corner to Gabbia was decisive in a sense. In fact, that corner is what saved him from getting a 5 here.

Pulisic (N/A): He went out injured at the end of the first half, following a challenge which seemed to affect his ankle. The Como defenders really battered him in the duels before that so it was coming, but of course we cannot give a rating tonight.

Morata (5): You would think with his experience that he would know better, but he was way too sluggish on the ball. More than one good counter-attacking move was squandered/slowed down as a result of his possession spells. On top of that, he was carded and will miss the Juve game.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Leao (7.5 – MOTM): The goal was fantastic, not just because it completed the turnaround, but also because he displayed great confidence by dinking it. Even before the goal, though, he was involved in all positive attacking moves. For example, he should have had an assist for Reijnders after a great run.

Substitutes

Abraham (6.5): No big changes missed from him this time out, but instead a very nice assist for Leao to win Milan the game. He had a positive impact and worked hard in the dying minutes as well. Nearly a 7 just because of how good that assist was.

Jimenez (6): Like many others tonight, he was carded but it’s clear he also added necessary acceleration and energy on the flank, mostly in the defensive phase.

Musah (6): He handled the defensive midfield role well along with Reijnders during the turnaround, so that counts for something.

Gabbia (6): As expected, he was useful on set pieces and helped Milan score the first goal with his header as well as positioning.

Camarda (N/A): We probably did see enough to give him a rating, but it was mostly working hard in defence.