Player Ratings: AC Milan 1-0 Hellas Verona – Gimenez decides; Leao gives and takes | OneFootball

AC Milan clinched three very important points against Hellas Verona thanks to a goal from their star striker Santiago Gimenez. A few more were involved in the action tonight and below are the player 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 (5.5): It might sound strange given he kept a clean sheet, but the Frenchman had a couple of really poor fumbles which could have proved costly. He also wasn’t convincing with his communication, while no bold passes were attempted at all.

Walker (6): Good moments in both phases of the game, but especially around the halfway line where he intercepted/won back the ball a lot. It was right to take him off for Jimenez, though, as the latter arguably is better in the attacking phase.

Gabbia (6): His passing was subpar on some occasions, and a few duels created some problems, but overall he defended well. The defending is obviously what matters the most but to really improve, he must become as good (and bold) as Thiaw with the passing.

Thiaw (6.5): He lost one 1v1 against Sarr at the start of the game but after that, he defended with confidence and with success as well. He was also the only Milan player who, in the build-up, was able to deliver good vertical passes and thus create chances for the Rossoneri attackers. When you face a low-sitting team, that is so important.

Hernandez (6): Overall, you have to say that it was solid from the Frenchman. Nothing spectacular at the back, nor in attack, but he did what was required from him and also had a couple of nice crosses which could have resulted in more.

Fofana (5.5): It was quite a lot better than some of the games we have seen from him recently, with some good moments on the ball and above all good positioning in defence. However, once again, he had a few too many giveaways which resulted in turnovers for the opponents. In addition to that, he could have added more in the attacking/build-up phase.

Reijnders (6.5): Since Verona sat back and defended for almost the entire game, the Dutchman was able to have a more advanced role and it served him well. He nearly scored after a great individual action in the first half and in the second, he often took matters into his own hands and dribbled past the Verona defenders.

Musah (5.5): Yes, he had a couple of good moments when going forward but he also missed several chances, one of which really needed to be put away. Milan cannot afford chances like that. Apart from a tactical yellow card early on, at least he was solid defensively which saves his rating a little.

Joao Felix (6.5): We still need to see some more end product, i.e. assists and goals, but he was involved in a lot today and nearly scored with a perfect cross/shot. He also won a lot of fouls and opened up space for his teammates by being successful on the ball.

Sottil (5.5): Aside from one good low cross, which someone arguably should have got on the end of, the Fiorentina loanee struggled to have an impact on the game and it was definitely right to take him off.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Gimenez (7 – MOTM): The Mexican created a fantastic chance for Musah at the end of the first half, but aside from that the first 45 minutes were relatively quiet. Of course, he still managed to get the job done with a tap-in winner, being at the right place at the right time. His second goal in four outings (only two of these from start), so he’s doing what Milan signed him for.

Substitutes

Jimenez (6.5): He needs some anger management, always too quick to pick a fight which can be very costly, but we must commend him for the action on the goal. It was an absolutely lovely dink over the defenders to find Leao, and it created everything. He was also good overall when going forward, adding more incisiveness than Walker.

Leao (6.5): The run and assist for the winner were both really good, there is no doubt about it, but the winger also had multiple chances to score himself. One when he arguably could have squared it, another when he threw himself to the ground instead. Naturally, he was a big upgrade to Sottil and ended up being decisive, but this man is still struggling to live up to his potential.

Pulisic (N/A): To be honest, aside from a few decent moves just after he came on, we didn’t see enough of him and thus cannot give a rating here.

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

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