For the second matchday in a row, Milan fans were left heartbroken, as their team undeservingly left the pitch empty-handed. The Rossoneri hosted Atletico Madrid for their first Champions League home fixture in almost eight years, and they took the lead in the first half through Rafael Leao. However, Franck Kessié got himself a second yellow, and the Italians had to play with ten men for more than half of the match. At the end of the day, the Spanish champions found a late breakthrough thanks to Antoine Griezmann, and Luis Suarez scored an injury-time winner from the spot. So here are our player ratings for the exciting European encounter between Milan and Atletico.
Milan XI
Mike Maignan – 6.5
The Frenchman wasn’t tested until late in the match, but he managed to pull off some decent saves against the likes of Lemar and Felix. However, he couldn’t react to Griezmann’s strike, and was beaten from the spot by a cheeky shot from Suarez.
Davide Calabria – 6
The Italian remained close to the center backs while Milan were defending Atletico’s second half onslaught, but he was beaten in the air by Suarez on a couple of occasions.
Fikayo Tomori – 7.5
A monstrous performance from the former Chelsea defender who pulled off numerous key interceptions. Made life very complicated for Suarez and company.
Alessio Romagnoli – 6
The captain was solid for the majority of the evening, but eventually ruined it with a couple of blunders. He was beaten to the ball by Griezmann on Madrid’s first goal, and his poor clearance culminated in the late penalty kick.
Theo Hernandez – 6.5
The Frenchman rarely surged forward against his former club, but he put up a convincing defensive display, making some key interventions, especially against Correa.
Franck Kessié – 4
Perhaps his dismissal was a little bit harsh, but the Ivorian shouldn’t have committed a foul from behind while on a yellow card. His display wasn’t a bad one until that point, but left his side with a man down for the majority of the match.
Ismael Bannacer – 7
The Algerian produced his best performance of the season thus far with a commanding display in the middle of the pitch. Left his heart out on the pitch following Kessié’s dismissal, and helped his team in launching counter attacks.
Alexis Saelemaekers – 6
The Belgian was the least effective of the front four in the final third, however, he had a key tactical role to play at the back, as he helped in nullifying the threat of Hermoso in the first and then Lodi in the second (perhaps to a lesser degree).
Brahim Diaz – 8
The former Manchester City youngster was simply unplayable during the first half. Cut his way between the Rojiblancos players with his dazzling runs, and provided sublime passes to his teammates – including a brilliant opportunity for Rebic – while also assisting Leao’s goal.
Rafael Leao – 7.5
Another first half star who had to be sacrificed as Stefano Pioli was opting for defensive stealth. The Portuguese opened the scoring with clinical low drive that found its way to Oblak’s low corner through the crowd. Almost scored the goal of the year with a stunning bicycle kick, but was denied by the woodwork as well as the linesman’s flag.
Ante Rebic – 5.5
The Croatian wasted a golden opportunity when Diaz put him through on goal, and was left to curse his luck after being subbed out in favor of Tonali due to the red card.
Milan Substitutes
Sandro Tonali – 7
An impressive display from the young Italian who worked hard to make up for the team’s numerical disadvantage, and won the ball back on several occasions.
Olivier Giroud – 5.5
The former Arsenal man was brought in to hold the ball upfront, but wasted a good chance to kill the match when he failed to read Theo’s pass.
Fodé Ballo-Touré – 5
The Senegal international struggled to interpret the role given to him, and was uninfluential on both phases on the game.
Pierre Kalulu – 5
He was brought in to solidify the right flank but ended up giving away a spot kick with a handball.
Alessandro Florenzi – 6
A courageous late cameo from the Euro 2020 winner who tried his luck with two threatening shots.
1 – For the first time #ACMilan are winless in their two opening group stage games of a Champions League campaign. Braking.#MilanAtletico #UCL
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) September 28, 2021
Atletico Madrid XI
Jan Oblak – 6.5
The Slovenian goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save to deny Rebic early in the match, but couldn’t do much on Leao’s goal.
Kieran Trippier – 5.5
The Englishman wasn’t influential on the attack, and Diego Simeone decided to remove him before half time, opting for a more attacking formation with the introduction of Felix.
Felipe – 6.5
A decent display from the experienced defender who made some key interventions to kill off Milan’s counter attacks.
José Giminez – 6
The Uruguayan center back struggled at times during the first half, but helped his teammates pushing forward after the break.
Mario Hermoso – 5
The Spanish left-back was completely nullified by Saelemaekers before being taken off by half time.
Marcos Llorente – 5.5
The Spaniard was visibly intense throughout the match, and was mostly second-best to Tonali in their personal duel.
Geoffrey Kondogbia – 5.5
The former Inter man (who almost joined Milan beforehand) was naturally whistled by the San Siro crowd, and tried his luck with several shots from the outside, but never managed to test Maignan.
Koke – 5
A forgettable night for the captain who couldn’t stamp his authority on the middle of the park.
Yannick Carrasco – 5
The former Monaco man was taken off by half time after failing to create anything worth-noting.
Angel Correa – 5.5
The Argentine created Atletico’s most dangerous opportunity in the first half, but just couldn’t deliver the killer touch.
Luis Suarez – 6
It was almost going to be a disappointing outing for the Uruguay legend as he scuffed some decent chances throughout the match. Nonetheless, he had the honor of scoring the late winner from the spot.
Atletico Substitutes
Joao Felix – 6
The young Portuguese immediately improved Simeone’s bland attack after coming in.
Renan Lodi – 6.5
A vast improvement on Hermoso, and provided the assist for Griezmann’s goal.
Rodrigo De Paul – 6
The former Udinese man played as a Regista, and helped in keeping the ball ticking in the middle.
Antoine Griezmann – 6.5
The World Cup winner was barely noticeable until he sneaked between the defenders and provided the equalizer with a nice volley.
Thomas Lemar – 7
The Frenchman was behind both of his side’s goal. Delivered a cross for Lodi that resulted in the equalizer, and won the penalty kick which was converted by Suarez.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
? Sheriff stun Madrid, Messi inspires Paris, Liverpool win in style…
? Performance of the night?#UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 28, 2021