Player Ratings: AC Milan 3-0 Empoli – Reijnders brilliant; centre-backs impress | OneFootball

AC Milan clinched three important goals after finding the back of the net three times against Empoli. It was a strong performance by several players, above all Tijjani Reijnders, and below are the 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): The Frenchman didn’t have much to do, aside from a Maleh effort that struck the crossbar and an offside 1v1 that he saved. The passing was decent and he commanded the area on set pieces.

Emerson Royal (6.5): He was beaten pretty blatantly at the back once, but then he picked himself up and was involved in the first two goals, playing the passes for Leao and Pulisic respectively. He also had some pretty good tackles in the second half.

Gabbia (7): It was very good defending throughout the game from the newly-renewed defender, always following his man closely and winning the duels as well. He was also strong aerially, which is always important as a centre-back.

Thiaw (7): Just like his partner, the concentration was very high and this resulted in close as well as effective marking. The German won basically all the duels with Colombo and continued to do well in the second half, also playing some of the more ‘difficult’ passes as opposed to Gabbia in the build-up.

Hernandez (6): The captain had some good runs forward and also defended well. However, there’s no doubt that he faded a bit in the second half and as such, it was a pretty bog standard performance from him.

Fofana (6.5): He started the build-up of the first goal with the quick pass to Emerson, and then he also got an assist with the run and pass for Reijnders. Defensively he did well as he so often does, but perhaps he could have been more involved in the general build-up. Either way, a positive night.

Reijnders (8.5 – MOTM): What a player, and for just €20m mind you! He was lively from the get-go and combined brilliantly with his teammates. The first goal was a fantastic strike on the volley, and the second was just as good thanks to the run and smart finish. There’s no stopping him in possession either, at least when he has a game as good as this. Just brilliant.

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Musah (6): He had a very good run forward in the first half and also offered necessary help at the back, with Emerson struggling a little. However, he failed to take advantage of a great chance inside the box in the second half, which was a big shame. Still, it would be very harsh not to give him a pass given the hard work.

Pulisic (6): The American was involved in quite a lot and was creatively useful for Milan in the final third, while the movement in general also helped. However, he had a big opportunity to give Reijnders a certain goal in the first half and instead skied his effort. A similar situation occurred just minutes later as well. Therefore, in the decisive moments, he could have done better even if he gets a pass here.

Leao (6.5): He had a very positive start to the game, looking like he woke up on the right side of bed. He was involved in the first goal and then had some really good movement to open up space for Reijnders on the third. On top of that, he played with great confidence in the 1v1/dribbling situations and that is something we need to see. Perhaps you could have demanded a bit more success in those, though, so only a 6.5 here.

Morata (7): It was a great finish inside the box from the veteran, ending the goal drought, and he also combined well with his teammates as always. He faded a bit as the game went on, but that opening goal was still very important.

Substitutes

Chukwueze (6): Positive impact off the bench with some good passes to show for it, including a cross for Abraham which nearly resulted in a tap-in.

Loftus-Cheek (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.

Pavlovic (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.

Abraham (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.

Camarda (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.