In one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season, Serie A leaders Milan hosted the long-time reigning champions Juventus at the San Siro stadium. Federico Chiesa opened the scoring for the visitors after a brilliant back-heel by Paulo Dybala, but Davide Calabria brought back the Rossoneri before the end of the first half.
Nonetheless, the former Fiorentina star scored his second of the night and substitute Weston McKennie added another one as the Bianconeri sealed a vital victory to keep their Scudetto hopes alive. So here are our player ratings for big clash between Milan and Juventus.
Milan XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6.5
The big Italian international might have conceded three goals, but his efforts to deny the likes of Chiesa, McKennie and Dybala kept his side alive for as long as possible.
Diego Dalot – 6
The growing list of Milan absentees meant that the Manchester United loanee would receive a rare chance to start a Serie A match, but it was a quiet evening for the Portuguese who didn’t contribute inside the Juventus areas as much as expected.
Simon Kjær – 6.5
The Danish defender came back at the right time, and despite his team’s defeat, he enjoyed a decent performance as he limited Ronaldo’s threat inside the area and dominated the aerial duels.
Alessio Romagnoli – 5.5
A tough night for the Milan captain who was perhaps responsible for some of the Juventus goals. He allowed Dybala just enough space to assist Chiesa on the opener, and he failed to intercept Kulusevski’s run on the third goal
Theo Hernández – 5.5
A night to forget for the Frenchman. He failed to track Chiesa on the opener, and couldn’t block his shot on the second. But above all the former Real Madrid man wasted several key chances for his side.
Davide Calabria – 7
Playing as an emergency central-midfielder for probably the first time of his career, one can’t ask for more from the original right-back. He won back several balls in the middle, and took his shot brilliantly to equalize the score, and could have added another if it wasn’t for Szczęsny’s great save.
Franck Kessié – 6
The Ivorian fought hard in the middle of the pitch, and repeatedly harassed Dybala with his tough challenges, but his contributions in the Rossoneri attacks was minimal.
Samu Castillejo – 6
The former Villarreal winger was supposed to take advantage of Frabotta’s presence to lighten the right flank, but eventually not much came from his side of the pitch. He could have opened the scoring for Milan early on when he pounced on a Bentancur mistake but was denied by the Juventus goalkeeper.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 6.5
In the absence of Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer, the Turkish international was the sole source of creativity in the middle of the pitch and had to drop back to pick up the ball and bring it forward. He tested Szczęsny with numerous long shots but failed to score.
Jens Petter Hauge – 5.5
The young Norwegian found trouble in his battle against the veteran Danilo and was taken off in the second half.
Rafael Leão – 6.5
The Portuguese attacker was his side’s most dangerous player, and almost scored on more than one occasion in the first half, but he eventually ended up being the assist provider for Calabria. He faded during the second half.
Milan Substitutes
Brahim Díaz – 6
The first substitute for Milan was an improvement on Hauge as he was able to cause some trouble inside the Juventus box
Piere Kalulu – N/A
Daniel Maldini – N/A
Andrea Conti – N/A
Lorenzo Colombo – N/A
304 – Today #ACMilan have ended a streak of 27 consecutive #SerieA matches without defeats. The Rossoneri's previous game lost in the competition was 304 days ago, last March at home against Genoa. Thud.#MilanJuve
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 6, 2021
Juventus XI
Wojciech Szczęsny – 7.5
A formidable performance from the former Roma shot-stopper who denied numerous chances for the Diavolo, including attempts from Leão, Calabria, Calhanoglu and Castillejo.
Danilo – 7
A solid performance from the Brazilian defender who made no mistakes at the back and shut down the threat of Hauge from the left.
Leonardo Bonucci – 7
The skipper enjoyed a positive evening as he led the back-line with confidence against his former club.
Matthijs De Ligt – 7.5
A brilliant defensive performance from the former Ajax captain who intercepted a countless number of Milan plays and almost created a goal for Juventus when his sublime cross found Ramsey.
Gianluca Fabrotta – 6.5
A composed performance from the emergency starter who was always present to support Ronaldo on the left flank. He lost the ball few times and could have done better to deny Calabria on the equalizer, but a good outing in general.
Federico Chiesa – 8.5
What a spectacular display by the young winger who’s transfer fee now looks like a real bargain. He opened the scoring and then completed his brace with another astonishing finish to Donnarumma’s far bottom corner, and could have even added another two for Juventus but was denied by the post as well the Milan goalkeeper. And he did it all in just 60 minutes!
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
A mixed bag for the Uruguayan. His careless attitude almost costed his side an early goal when he lost the ball inside the penalty area, and should have arguably received a second yellow card. Nonetheless, he helped his team in bringing the ball forward and had some contributions in the attacking plays.
Adrien Rabiot – 7
A strong performance from the French midfielder who remained composed throughout the match. He was unlucky to lose the ball prior to the Milan equalizer – which could have arguably been a foul on Calhanoglu – but made up for it by launching the attack that led to the final goal.
Aaron Ramsey – 6
The Welshman worked hard as ever but his touch often lets him out on the most vital moments. He could have scored a goal from De Ligt’s cross but almost gifted the Rossoneri one with a horrific missed pass.
Paulo Dybala – 7.5
The Argentine had his best 60 minutes of the season. He looked focused and sharp as he assisted Chiesa on two occasions, including a fabulous back-heel.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 6.5
Although it wasn’t the Portuguese’s most spectacular outing, he worked hard for his team and his smart movement opened up some spaces for his teammates.
Juventus Substitutes
Weston McKennie – 7
The American warrior was everywhere on the pitch after his introduction, including the Milan box where he pounced on Kulusevski’s pass to seal the match for Juventus with a third goal.
Dejan Kulusevski – 6.5
His courageous run from the right side allowed McKennie to score Juve’s third goal.
Federico Bernardeschi – N/A
Arthur – N/A
Merih Demiral – N/A
