Gianluigi Donnarumma stood out for an underwhelming AC Milan, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Cagliari at San Siro on Sunday.
In what proved to be a cagey affair, AC Milan dominated the proceedings for the most part, albeit without much in way of clear-cut chances. In fact, the best opening came for Cagliari, with Diego Godin being denied by a fabulous save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was crucial in goal for the hosts.
In the end, both sides managed just four shots on target between them, with the draw being a fair result. The goalless stalemate also meant that while AC Milan remain third on the Serie A table, they have the daunting task of beating Atalanta next week to confirm their place in the top four. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Stefano Pioli’s men.
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 8/10
The clear standout for AC Milan, which tells you just how poor they were on the night. While the Italian international was not called into action on a regular basis, he did make a couple of saves to ensure he kept his clean sheet, with the one to deny Diego Godin standing out. Donnarumma did his part in the end, and needed his teammates to step up.
Davide Calabria: 6.5/10
Some solid work by Calabria before he was taken off. The Italian international, though, did not carry a lot of threat when going down the right flank, although he did aim one shot at goal from range. Made 5 clearances while an excellent intervention denied Leonardo Pavoletti a chance at Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal.
Simon Kjaer: 7/10
The best outfield player for AC Milan, Kjaer produced an all-action display at the back, making a number of clearances (7) while also making one big block to preserve his side’s clean sheet. Solid in his output on the ball as well, misplacing just 4 passes all game.
Fikayo Tomori: 6.5/10
A decent enough performance by Tomori, who did well enough to keep a check on Leonardo Pavoletti while completing 3 clearances. Precise with the ball at his feet, the Chelsea loanee completed 95 percent of his attempted passes, which enabled efficient build-up play. Nailing down his spot.
Theo Hernandez: 5/10
After the high of the performance against Torino, this was extremely underwhelming from Theo Hernandez. While the marauding full-back was a constant outlet down the left flank, he failed to create a single chance and never really looked like scoring either. Not put under much pressure in the defensive phases, although this game really was about his output in the final third, which was poor.
Ismael Bennacer: 6/10
A blow-hot-blow-cold display by Bennacer, which is typical of his performances in recent weeks. The Algerian was unmoved in the defensive phases and won 5 duels. However, when it came to progressing the ball high up the pitch, he was rather passive at times. Taken off for Soualiho Meite around the hour mark.
Franck Kessie: 6.5/10
One of the better performers for AC Milan on Sunday, Kessie was instrumental in providing the hosts some degree of control in the final third. Completed 91 percent of his attempted passes and linked up smartly with those in front of him, while also typically putting in the hard yards, winning 5 duels while completing 2 tackles, interceptions and clearances each.
Alexis Saelemaekers: 6/10
Saelemaekers was as Saelemaekers usually is in any game – a bundle of energy who does not shy away from taking on the opposition defenders. The Belgian completed most of his attempted passes and even came close to scoring once. Oddly enough, though, he was taken off at half-time and could be battling for his spot in the final game of the season.
Brahim Diaz: 5/10
Having evidently nailed down his spot in the no. 10 role for the time being, this was Diaz’s chance to continue making a difference in the final third for Milan. The Spaniard, though, could not carve out anything significant, even though he did play a joint-game high 3 key passes. Has to do so much more in such games.
Hakan Calhanoglu: 5/10
Like Diaz, Calhanoglu tried hard to make things happen and did play a joint-game high 3 key passes. However, his decision-making was sub-par to say the least, with the Turk choosing to shoot when there was a better passing opportunity and vice-versa. Will hope to end the season strongly now.
Ante Rebic: 6.5/10
A game of hits and misses for Rebic, who carried the most significant of threats for Milan and should have been rewarded with an assist when Samu Castillejo dragged his shot wide in the second half. The Croat’s own output in front of goal, though, was poor, as he failed to keep his effort on target each of the three times.
SUBSTITUTES
Rafael Leao: 6/10
Pioli made some surprising decisions on the personnel front in this game and one of them was when he brought Leao on for Saelemaekers at half-time. The Portuguese forward, though, was a bright spark initially before he faded dramatically and reverted to type.
Samu Castillejo: 6/10
A surprise substitution ahead of Rade Krunic and Jens Petter Hauge, but Castillejo got into some dangerous scoring positions, only to fail to find the target. Did not misplace any pass, but failed to create a chance either.
Diogo Dalot: 6.5/10
On for Calabria, Dalot continued pretty much from where the Italian international left off. Solid at the back, the Portuguese defender won each of the duels he contested while also providing one key pass on his forays down the right flank. Did what he could, but could not inspire the win.
Soualiho Meite: 6/10
On for Bennacer, Meite produced a largely uninspiring cameo, largely keeping it simple at a time when Milan needed something spectacular to spark them into life. Not the solution in midfield.
Mario Mandzukic: N/A
A late introduction in place of Calhanoglu, Mandzukic managed just one touch on the ball before the full-time whistle.
