Milan slipped to their second defeat in as many UEFA Champions League games this season, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen. Paulo Fonseca’s side stuttered in the first half but found their feet after the break. But that wasn’t enough.
The Rossoneri hoped to bounce back from a 3-1 home loss to Liverpool on matchday one in their first-ever meeting with Leverkusen. However, their conservative first-half approach nearly cost them dearly as VAR overturned Victor Boniface’s goal near the half-hour mark. Mike Maignan was brilliant between the sticks, making six saves before halftime.
Yet, Xabi Alonso’s side grabbed a well-deserved lead at the start of the second half. Boniface latched on to the rebound inside the six-yard box to stab the ball into an empty net. Leverkusen’s opener forced Mlian forward. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on their side tonight. Fonseca’s charges created several decent chances but couldn’t capitalize.
It was another sorrowful night for Milan fans as we look at our player ratings.
Milan (4-3-2-1)
Mike Maignan – 7
His heroic showing in goal was probably the only reason Milan didn’t lose by a multi-goal margin tonight. Absolute masterclass goalkeeping from the Frenchman!
Theo Hernandez – 6
In stark contrast to his countryman, the left-back had a nightmarish evening against Jeremie Frimpong and was almost invisible in attack up until the moment his long-range effort took a deflection and hit the crossbar.
Fikayo Tomori – 6
Boniface gave him a headache from the first minute. In addition to several sloppy defensive reactions, he nearly gifted Leverkusen a goal when his poor pass triggered the Germans’ counter.
Matteo Gabbia – 7
Probably the only bright spot in Milan’s defense tonight alongside Maignan. Playing with confidence makes a difference at the highest level, which was on full display at the BayArena.
Emerson Royal – 6
Outpaced by Boniface time and time again! When he has the ball, almost the entire stadium knows he’s going to pass it to Christian Pulisic or backward. Uneventful!
Tijjani Reijnders – 6
Sometimes, it feels like he loses the compass. Instead of pulling the trigger after receiving a delightful through ball from Pulisic, he opted for a dummy. It cost Milan a goal.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6.5
Back to the starting XI after some time on the bench, the English midfielder enjoyed a decent game, making several progressive runs forward and always picking the right pass.
Youssouf Fofana – 6.5
Grew into the contest after a dismal first half. Came close to drawing Milan level with a thunderous strike from distance and wasn’t afraid to take responsibility in the build-up/
Rafael Leao – 4
Given the time and space he had on multiple occasions, you’d expect a player of his caliber to produce something decent. However, he fumbled almost every pass and every attempted cross. Disappointing!
Christian Pulisic – 7
There’s a feeling he would’ve done more if he only had proper support. Reijnders ruined his assist, while a lack of quality provided by Emerson, he was often alone against the world. Still devastating with the ball at his feet!
Tammy Abraham – 6
Nothing to show for it despite a massive effort, like in the game against Lecce. Late to take a shot when he had time to test Lukas Hradecky in the first half.
Substitutes
Alvaro Morata – 6.5
Samuel Chukwueze – 6
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