A brace from Theo Hernandez saw AC Milan come back from a 0-2 deficit against Parma and salvage a point along with continue their unbeaten Serie A run.
AC Milan came into the game as the outright favourites, with this termed as another David vs Goliath fixture. The tale seemed to be coming true as Gervinho found Hernani with his low cross, with the Brazilian finding the bottom corner of the far post to give Parma the lead against the run of the play.
AC Milan tried to respond straight away and looked to have done it as Theo Hernandez found Samu Castillejo inside the box for the equaliser. However, Castillejo was adjudged to be in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.
The Rossoneri then proceeded to hit the bar thrice in the first half and once more in the second half, before Parma caught the home side on another counter, with Gianluigi Donnarumma unable to parry off a powerful Jasmin Kurtic header.
AC Milan responded instantly as Hakan Calhanoglu’s service from the corner found Theo Hernandez open inside the box. The Frenchman found the back of the net, igniting the fire for a comeback. Parma were on course for a massive upset. But, a kerfuffle inside the box in stoppage time saw the ball fall to Theo once again and the Frenchman drilled one into the far corner, thus equalising the score.
AC Milan pushed for a winner but failed to find the back of the net as Parma held on for a point on Sunday. Let us now take a look at how the AC Milan players fared.
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5
Was rightly furious at his defenders for the first goal for allowing Gervinho to find Hernani unmarked inside the box. However, the Italian international should have done better for the Kurtic effort and showed a lack of strength in his attempt to parry off the header. Didn’t have much else to do for the rest of the game, ending the game without having to make a single save.
Davide Calabria – 7
Had a dull first half but picked up in intensity in the second. Took the initiative and the space provided by Parma to push forward and create chances for his teammates. Calabria ended up creating 5 chances for his teammates and made 3 tackles as well, ensuring no one got past him.
Matteo Gabbia – N/A
Unfortunate to have to come off so early into the game and Stefano Pioli will hope it’s not anything serious, especially with a run of fixtures coming up.
Alessio Romagnoli – 6
A below average outing for the defender, who has become a key player for AC Milan in recent years. One could point fingers at him for both goals in terms of his positioning and reaction or lack thereof.
Theo Hernandez – 9
Theo Hernández (23) ?? vs Parma
• 113 touches
• 83% pass accuracy 68/82
• 2 key passes
• 2 tackles
• 2 interceptions
• 1 clearance
• 2 successful dribbles
• 2 goalsThere is no ceiling to this guys potential#MilanParma pic.twitter.com/8dlyUGs8M0
— Serie A Scout (@SerieAScout) December 13, 2020
Ran the show on the flank and almost found AC Milan the equaliser in the first half through his assist, only for Castillejo to be marginally offside as per the VAR. His brace salvaged a point as he scored with both of his shots attempted in the 2-2 draw. Theo is brimming with confidence and it reflects in his game.
Ismael Bennacer – 7
A quiet but sound outing for Bennacer, who kept things in midfield without ever being noticed. Completed the most dribbles in the game (4) and put in 4 successful tackles to stop Parma from mustering up any more counter attacking opportunities.
Franck Kessie – 6.5
Sprayed passes smoothly, allowing the AC Milan attackers to go forward in search of goals as Kessie formed the bedrock of the midfield. However, Kessie would have liked to be more influential in the attacks than he was against Parma.
Samu Castillejo – 5.5
Afforded a start on the right instead of Jens Petter Hauge and Rafael Leao, Castillejo failed to grab the initiative, even though he almost got AC Milan the equalizer in the first half.
Brahim Diaz – 5.5
A rare off day for Diaz, who was shut down mostly by Parma. Still managed to rattle the crossbar with his curved shot in the first half, which on another day, could have easily crept into the goal. Perhaps, Diaz needs a day or two of rest.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 9
Unlucky not to get a hat-trick against Parma and that’s saying something, since he ended the night without a single goal. Created 7 chances, hit the crossbar thrice and provided the assist for Theo’s first goal. Calhanoglu ran the show in attack for AC Milan and showed just how important he has become for the club under Pioli.
The Rossoneri have a real problem at hand, with the Turkish international out of contract in the summer and unwilling to sign an extension while other European bigwigs circle around the playmaker.
Ante Rebic – 5
Could not make the most of the opportunity presented as a result of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury as the Croat failed to be an influential factor in the game, proving that he is better when deployed on the left. A disappointing outing as a centre-forward and an opportunity missed by the attacker.
Substitutions
Pierre Kalulu Kyatengwa – 5
Came on early for Gabbia but was at fault for the first goal, not really putting up much of a fight against Gervinho on the flank and allowing him to send the ball into the box for Hernani. Did a decent job otherwise.
Rafael Leao – 7
Came on and provided a much-needed impetus. Created 2 chances for AC Milan, which on another day could have ended up in the back of the net. A good display from the bench.
Jens Petter Hauge – 6
Injected some fresh energy in attack and that helped stretch the Parma defence a bit, especially with Calabria also venturing forward quite a bit.
Sandro Tonali – 6
Came on for Bennacer and continued where the midfielder had left off, keeping things tight in the middle of the park as his side rushed for an equalizer.
