Milan Player Ratings vs Genoa: Horror Anniversary

Milan couldn’t have imagined a worse way to celebrate their 125th birthday than a heart-wrenching 0-0 home draw against minnows Genoa. Patrick Vieira’s side put on a resilient defensive performance at Stadio San Siro, fending off Paulo Fonseca’s experimental line-up in one of the most uneventful fixtures in recent Serie A memory.

Fonseca left Theo Hernandez on the bench and handed 17-year-old Mattia Liberali his maiden league start for the senior team. However, his tactical alterations backfired as Milan failed to create much in the final third despite enjoying 57% possession and unleashing 22 attempts on goal.

Stats could be deceiving, and that was the case tonight. Apart from Tammy Abraham’s poor finish and Samuel Chukwueze’s wayward half-volley, Milan didn’t do anything noteworthy in the first half. Alvaro Morata took the English striker’s place at the beginning of the second half, only to cost his side what would’ve been three precious points.

Emerson Royal forced an incredible diving save from Nicola Leali only a minute after the break. However, it took Milan almost half an hour of sustained pressure to muster their next goalscoring chance. Morata sold one of Genoa’s defenders a dummy but fluffed his lines from a promising position.

Three minutes after squandering his first chance, the Spaniard blew Milan’s best scoring opportunity of the night. Tijjani Reijnders teed him up with an inch-perfect ball, but Morata inexplicably hit the crossbar from only a few yards out. Another disappointing result left Milan a substantial eight points adrift of the top four.

Let’s look at our player ratings.

Milan (4-2-3-1)

Mike Maignan – 6

Genoa’s defensive-minded approach made the Frenchman a marginal figure. He didn’t have to make a save but had to stay focused to clear Malick Thiaw’s catastrophic back pass off the line.

Emerson Royal – 7

Had it not been for Leali’s stunning stop, he would’ve opened his Milan account. Despite failing to offer depth on the wing, the Brazilianpulled off numerous no-nonsense clearances at the back.

Matteo Gabbia – 7

In addition to making light work of Andrea Pinamonti and slamming the door shut at the back, the experienced defender emerged as a deep-lying playmaker, producing several pinpoint diagonal balls.

Malick Thiaw – 6.5

The German could’ve undone all the good work in one second but had Maignan’s awareness to thank for not scoring a bizarre own goal at the final stretch.

Alejandro Jimenez – 7

Barring sporadic lapses of concentration, the Spanish youngster proved a decent backup for Hernandez, completing a number of progressive runs and even firing a decent long-range effort late in the first half.

Youssouf Fofana – 6.5

The Frenchman was more courageous in the opposition’s half for a change, yet he must think and distribute the ball much faster.

Tijjani Reijnders – 7.5

It was disheartening to see this midfield powerhouse waste his talent alongside a disorganized Milan squad. Absolute masterclass!

Rafael Leao – 6

For a player wearing the captain’s armband on the club’s anniversary, the Portuguese winger failed to rise to the occasion, delivering a lackluster performance.

Mattia Liberali – 5.5

Despite showing glimpses of his potential, the Milan teenager often surrendered possession way too easily.

Samuel Chukwueze – 4

Blazing the ball into the stands from point-blank range perhaps best illustrates the Norwegian’s erratic evening. Out-of-sorts!

Tammy Abraham – 3.5

It’s unacceptable for a Milan striker to be this wasteful in the box. Subbed off during the break for another injury concern.

Substitutes

Alvaro Morata – 4

Francesco Camarda – 4.5

Noah Okafor – 3

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