On Sunday night, the Allianz stadium in Turin witnessed a crucial battle between two top teams fighting for their spot in next season’s edition of the Champions League. At the end of a quiet first half, Brahim Diaz broke the deadlock for the Rossoneri with a curler straight to the top far corner. The Bianconeri failed to respond properly after the break, and even though Franck Kessié was denied from the spot, the visitors added two other goals thanks to Ante Rebic’s screamer and Fikayo Tomori’s header, as it ended 3-0 for Stefano Pioli’s men. So here are our Player Ratings for the top round 35 clash between Juventus and Milan.
Juventus XI
Wojciech Szczesny – 5.5
A goalkeeper who saves a penalty kick is ought to receive a much higher rating, but the Poland international was in fact the main culprit in the first goal, failing to clear what seemed to be a simple cross, and instead laying it in the direction of Diaz. Couldn’t do much on the next two goals.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
The Dutchman put on a generally solid shift, dominating his own penalty box, and was not afraid to challenge Ibrahimovic. Perhaps allowed Rebic too much space when the Croatian unleashed a thunderous shot for the second goal.
Giorgio Chilellini – 5.5
The captain started the match well, but his second half was a forgettable one. Caused his side a penalty kick with a clear handball, and was beaten by Tomori’s jump for the third goal.
Alex Sandro – 5.5
The Brazilian did well to limit Saelmaekers’ threat from the right flank, and made a great interception with his head to deny an easy goal for Zlatan, but his contribution to Juve’s attacks was almost non-existent.
Juan Cuadrado – 5
The usually-influential Colombian endured one of his poorest displays of the campaign. Clearly lost his personal battle with Hernandez – who was able to break through all the way to the Bianconeri penalty box – and failed to provide the strikers with his renown sublime crosses.
Weston McKennie – 5.5
The American was yet another Juventus player who was unable to affect the outcome of the match, as he suffered against some of the Milan players, especially Kessié.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 5.5
The Uruguayan won countless balls in the middle of the pitch, but unfortunately for his team, ended up losing possession almost as many times.
Adrien Rabiot – 5.5
The former Paris Saint Germain player didn’t take too many risks, and thus didn’t commit too many mistakes, but in the end, never provided the flair that the Old Lady desperately needed in midfield.
Federico Chiesa – 5
The former Fiorentina man is obviously still far from his best physical shape – having just returned from an injury – and was unable to get through Calabria. Moreover, gave away a needless freekick which led to the Rossoneri’s first goal.
Alvaro Morata – 4.5
A non-existent performance from the Spaniard who was unable to maintain the ball in the few instances in which he received it. Seeing him last until the end of the match was surely surprising.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5.5
Besides few tricks and flicks, the Portuguese star had yet another forgettable display. Dropped deep at times, and only seemed to be able to connect with his teammates after the introduction of Kulusevski and Dybala.
Juventus Substitutes
Dejan Kulusevski – 5.5
The Swede tried hard to come up with something but ended up wasting a header in added time.
Paulo Dybala – 6
The only Juventus forward who seemed to be capable of taking the play well into the Milan areas. Threatened with few dangerous shots, but for some reason, Andrea Pirlo introduced him much too late.
2011 – AC Milan have won a Serie A away match against Juventus for the first time since March 2011 (0-1 Gattuso), before the Allianz Stadium existed. Conquest.#SerieA #JuveMilan pic.twitter.com/xw5jVqlKQM
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 9, 2021
Milan XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5.5
The Italian international didn’t have much to do against his potential suitors, but looked shaky in the first half as he almost caused his side in the first half as he ill-advisedly left his goal on two occasions.
Davide Calabria – 7
A brilliant performance from the Milan academy product who completely nullified Chiesa’s threat from the left wing.
Simon Kjaer – 7.5
The Dane was a rock at the back, making several key interceptions with some perfectly-timed sliding tackles . Mainly charged with containing Ronaldo, the Portuguese didn’t have a sniff on goal all night.
Fikayo Tomori – 8
What a display from the Chelsea loanee! Absolutely wrecked Morata’s night with his strong physical presence, and ended up scoring his first Serie A goal with wonderfully taken header.
Theo Hernandez – 7
The former Real Madrid man took a beating from the Juventus player early in the match, but managed to support his Milan teammates with some thrilling runs from the left, leaving Cuadrado and McKennie in the dust.
Franck Kessié – 7
Although he wasted a spot-kick, the Ivorian dominated the middle of the pitch with his skills, passing, vision, and strong physical presence.
Ismael Bennacer – 6
The Algerian is yet to find the great form that he displayed earlier in the season, but did well to support his teammates in midfield – although he lost possession on some occasions.
Alexis Saelmaekers – 5.5
The young Belgian switched from one flank to another, but was rarely influential on the attacking phase.
Brahim Diaz – 7.5
A night to remember for the Real Madrid loanee. Seemed to be Milan’s most dangerous player from the get-go, and was rewarded for his determination as he opened the scoring with a brilliantly taken curler to the far post. Moreover, he won a penalty kick for his side, as his shot struck Chiellini’s arm.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7
A beautiful performance from the Turkey international whose freekicks were behind two of the Diavolo’s goals. Connected well with Theo on the left flank as well.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 5.5
The Swedish giant was battered by de Ligt and Chiellini, and had to drop deep to receive the ball at times. Left the pitch with what seemed to be a knee injury.
Milan Substitutes
Ante Rebic – 7
The Croatian was introduced instead of the injured Ibrahimovic, and ended all Juventus hopes by scoring the second goal for Milan with an absolute screamer towards the top corner that left Szczesny stranded.
Rade Krunic – N/A
Soualiho Meité – N/A
Diogo Dalot – N/A
