Milan relinquished a three-match winning run in Serie A with a strange 2-1 defeat against Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Paulo Fonseca’s side squandered a penalty on either side of halftime in another self-destructive performance.
Fiorentina could’ve picked an early lead, but Mike Maignan thwarted Moise Kean’s penalty. However, Milan loanee Yacine Adli broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with a well-placed low effort.
David de Gea got the better of Theo Hernandez, saving the Frenchman’s spot-kick on the stroke of halftime. Milan had another chance from the spot 11 minutes into the second half, but the Spaniard read Tammy Abraham like a book.
Even De Gea was powerless against in-form Christian Pulisic four minutes later. The USMNT forward latched on to Hernandez’s cross on the far post and finished with aplomb to draw Milan level. Then, a disaster struck.
Fikayo Tomori misjudged a long ball, allowing Albert Gudmundsson to break one-on-one with Maignan. Unlike Kean, the Iceland international was relentless, firing Fiorentina to only their second league win this season with a world-class finish.
As for Milan, they head into October’s international break in seventh, six points adrift of table-topping Napoli as we look at our player ratings.
Milan (4-2-3-1)
Mike Maignan – 6.5
His saved penalty was in vain as his teammates let him down. While he probably could’ve done better for Adli’s goal, Gudmundsson gave him no chance whatsoever.
Emerson Royal – 6
Despite being solid at the back for the first time this season, the Brazilian is predictable in the final third, with most of his passes going backward.
Matteo Gabbia – 6.5
The in-form center-back fared reasonably well against Kean, making numerous tactical fouls and dominating his opposition in the air.
Fikayo Tomori – 4
Everything decent he did tonight disappeared in the blink of an eye. A player of his stature cannot afford a mistake like that!
Theo Hernandez – 2
The assist was the only saving grace for the Frenchman. On top of a missed penalty, he gave away one and nearly repeated the same mistake in the second half.
Youssouf Fofana – 6.5
His oscillations during the match are unfathomable. At times, he looks dominant, almost unplayable. Other times, he cannot pass the ball to his nearest clubmate.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6
Another lively performance with nothing to show for it suggests maybe it’s time for Fonseca to bench the Dutchman for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Alvaro Morata – 6.5
There’s a feeling if other Milan players had the same energy, the Rossoneri would’ve won. Heavily involved in the build-up and tireless in high press.
Rafael Leao – 5
Whatever Fonseca is telling him to do, it must stop. Forcing the Portuguese winger to drop back and help defensively inevitably comes at the expense of his offensive contribution.
Christian Pulisic – 7
A rare shining light in this tunnel! In addition to the goal, the United States captain was a thorn in Fiorentina’s side all night, constantly shifting between the lines to create danger.
Tammy Abraham – 4
The wasted penalty sums up his horror display. A striker is supposed to be clinical in the box, which he is not.
Substitutes
Noah Okafor – 5.5
Samuel Chukwueze – 6.5
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