Player ratings: Milan 3-1 Club Brugge – Reijnders gives midfield masterclass in first Champions League win | OneFootball

Milan picked up their first Champions League points in a tough game against Club Brugge, who managed to equalise in the second half despite being left with 10 men before the break. Here are the player ratings from the Rossoneri’s 3-1 win:

Maignan 7 – A complete authority in Milan’s shaky defence. He blocked the opposition with a series of essential saves and was the only one in the hosts’ rearguard to provide a sense of security.

Emerson Royal 5.5 – Brugge’s equaliser originated from his side, which was arguably the most vulnerable part of the Rossoneri’s back.

Gabbia 5.5 – The space between him and Emerson Royal proved particularly inviting to attack for the visitors at times, as they both looked inattentive (83′ Thiaw n/a).

Tomori 5.5 – Too soft on the visitors’ forwards, the Englishman contributed to his team’s overall fragility at the back.

Theo Hernandez 6 – As much as his defensive contribution wasn’t much better, his raids forward made him a concern to keep an eye on for the opposition.

Fofana 5.5 – Lacked precision and was often dispossessed, exposing his side to dangers (75′ Musah 6).

Reijnders 8 – The Dutch finally proved the all-round midfielder he is: excellent at adding quality to his side’s build-up, but his brace showed how important his offensive presence is to make him even more influential in the team.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan celebrates his goal with his team-mates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between AC Milan and Club Brugge KV at Stadio San Siro on October 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Pulisic 7 – The American gave the Rossoneri the lead in a delicate moment directly from a corner kick, once again showing the wideness of his array of skills.

Loftus-Cheek 5.5 – Struggled to make his physical presence felt as Brugge worked the ball with ease in midfield in the first half (60′ Okafor 6.5).

Leao 6.5 – He looked like the only one able to light up a spark up front in Milan’s slow start, but his inconsistency, even within the same game, cost him a substitution in the second half. And Fonseca was right, since the Rossoneri became much more dangerous with the additions of electric Okafor and Chukwueze (60′ Chukwueze 6.5).

Morata 6 – A light presence up front, in a match where Milan would’ve needed something different from the start (75′ Camarda 6.5).

Fonseca 7 – While Milan struggled much more than expected in the first half and until the visitors’ equaliser, his corrections were spot on and proved instrumental in setting up a strong final 40 minutes, which also sparked San Siro’s enthusiasm.

Club Brugge: Mignolet 6; Ordóñez 5.5, Mechele 5.5, Seys 6 (46′ Sabbe 6.5); Talbi 5.5 (46′ Vetlesen 6), Vanaken 6, Onyedika 4.5, Jashari 6.5 (83′ Nielsen n/a), De Cuyper 5.5; Jutglà 6.5 (70′ Skoras 5.5), Tzolis 6.5 (70′ Skov Olsen 5.5) Coach: Hayen 6.5