Player Ratings: Milan 1-1 Cagliari – Costly Maignan howler, wasteful Abraham | OneFootball

A Mike Maignan howler proved costly to Milan as the Rossoneri were held to a 1-1 home draw by strugglers Cagliari.

Milan coach Sergio Conceiçao had a bitter Serie A debut at San Siro on Saturday as the Rossoneri collected a 1-1 draw against Cagliari.

Alvaro Morata gave the Rossoneri the lead in the second half with his 6th season goal, pouncing on a rebound after Christian Pulisic had hit the post.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Nadir Zortea of Cagliari scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

However, Milan’s lead only lasted a few minutes as Maignan was too slow to go down to save a Nadir Zortea shot from outside the box.

The Rossoneri desperately tried to score the winner in the remaining 40 minutes, but Tammy Abraham wasted two clear opportunities in front of Elia Caprile’s goal.

The ex-Napoli keeper, who moved to Sardinia earlier this week, was among the best Cagliari players.

Milan 1-1 Cagliari: player ratings

Milan: Maignan 5; Calabria 6.5 (63′ Jimenez), Thiaw 6, Tomori 6.5, Theo Hernandez 6.5; Musah 5.5 (63′ Abraham 5), Fofana 5, Reijnders 6; Pulisic 6.5, Morata 7, Leao 5.5. Coach: Conceiçao 5.5.

Best Milan player: Morata 7 – Not only the goal. The Spaniard led the team by example, winning four duels (via Sofascore) and making several touches all over the pitch. It wasn’t enough.

Lowest Milan rating: Maignan 5 – He produced a fantastic save to deny Felici in the first half, but the goal conceded by Milan was all on him. Youssouf Fofana was also under par, while Abraham missed two huge chances.

Milan coach: Conceiçao 5.5—The tricky part starts now for the Portuguese. Milan’s first half was poor, as the Rossoneri entered the pitch with an inappropriate approach, which surely didn’t make the coach happy. His predecessor, Paulo Fonseca, had the same issue.

Cagliari: Caprile 7; Zappa 6.5, Palomino 5 (78′ Wieteska), Luperto 6, Obert 5.5; Makoumbou 6.5 (82′ Marin), Adopo 6; Zortea 7.5, Viola 5.5 (65′ Deiola), Felici 7 (82′ Augello); Piccoli 6.5. Coach: Nicola 7.

Best Cagliari player: Zortea 7.5 – What a performance. He scored his second consecutive goal, his fourth this season and was nearly perfect defensively, with four ground duels won. Special mention for Felici and Caprile.

Lowest Cagliari rating: Palomino 5 – Subbed off after Milan’s opener. He didn’t see Morata running behind him inside the box, so the Spaniard was free to put the ball inside an empty net.

Cagliari coach: Nicola 7 – Cagliari played without pressure and were tough physically. Piccoli helped the team by holding the ball up front, and the wing-backs and central midfielders were dynamic. It is another little step and a much-needed point in the race for survival.