Milan halted a dismal six-game losing streak against Inter with a potentially season-defining 2-1 win in Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina. Christian Pulisic and Matteo Gabbia scored on either side of halftime to perhaps salvage Paulo Fonseca’s job.
It was a ‘make or break’ fixture for the new Milan manager following a lackluster Serie A start. A 3-1 Champions League loss to Liverpool in the build-up to the match heightened the pressure on the Portuguese tactician.
When all looked lost for Fonseca, Milan defied the odds in the most heavily anticipated game in the Serie A calendar to beat Inter for the first time since September 2022. Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Rossoneri played like a team for the first time this term.
Federico Dimarco’s equalizer midway through the first half proved a consolation goal for Inter as Gabbia scored a thumping header in the 89th minute to hand Milan an all-important three points.
Without further ado, let’s look at our player ratings.
Milan (4-4-2)
Mike Maignan – 7
Back from the injury, the Frenchman was impressive tonight. His defenders let him down for Dimarco’s goal.
Emerson Royal – 7
He lost track of Dimarco for the goal. However, that was his only mistake tonight as the under-pressure right-back fared superbly, making numerous vital clearances.
Matteo Gabbia – 8
There’s no doubt that this was one of his best-ever performances for Milan. Dominant in the air and ruthless in his tackles, the Italian center-back exceeded expectations. The goal was a fitting reward!
Fikayo Tomori – 7.5
Like Gabbia, the Englishman barely put his foot wrong tonight, forging a wall in front of Maignan’s goal. Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez could do nothing against him.
Theo Hernandez – 7.5
Vintage Theo performance! One of the world’s best left-backs lived up to his reputation, excelling at the back while completing numerous progressive runs with the ball.
Youssouf Fofana – 7
If tonight’s derby was a sign of things to come, the ex-Monaco star could be the missing piece in Milan’s midfield jigsaw. He was tireless!
Tijjani Reijnders – 7
It’s a shame Abraham failed to score. Otherwise, it would’ve been one of the assists of the season. Nonetheless, he was outstanding when asked to create plays from deep in the midfield.
Rafael Leao – 6
Frustration got the better of him in the crucial moments as he opted to pull the trigger when passing was seemingly a better option.
Christian Pulisic – 7.5
What a goal! He made one of the best European defenses look like children and was Milan’s driving force in attack for over 70 minutes.
Alvaro Morata – 6.5
Despite failing to test Yann Sommer after forcing the Swiss keeper’s acrobatic early save, the Spaniard looked lively all game, constantly dropping back to help in the build-up play.
Tammy Abraham – 6.5
Though he must be kicking himself for wasting a glorious chance midway through the second half, the Roma loanee should be proud of his tremendous effort.
Substitutes
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
Noah Okafor – 5.5
Samuel Chukwueze – N/A
Strahinja Pavlovic – N/A
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