Rafael Leao stole the show in Milan’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Inter in the Derby della Madonnina. With the rest of Milan’s attack playing at a high level, the reigning MVP netted a brace, obliterating the visitors’ disorganized backline. Few Nerazzurri players had quality performances, with Marcelo Brozovic being one of the club’s few bright spots.
Mike Maignan – 8
Late in the match, the Milan goalkeeper made several huge saves as Inter’s offense finally found its footing in the dying moments.
Davide Calabria – 6
Facing Matteo Darmian on the wing, Calabria had a decent match. He won a quality challenge in the first half, but he had a quiet day overall.
Pierre Kalulu – 6
Kalulu did not play nearly as well as his partner, getting dragged out of position too frequently. He also lost Edin Dzeko on a cross, allowing the striker to halve the deficit.
Fikayo Tomori – 8
The centre-back saved his best performance yet for the most important match of the season. Facing the skilled duo of Lautaro and Joaquin Correa, he won several challenges and played with his usual physicality.
Theo Hernandez – 5.5
For much of the match, Hernandez and Denzel Dumfries seemed to be in their own little world. The two were locked in a fierce, physical battle that had little impact on proceedings.
Ismael Bennacer – 7
Bennacer was phenomenal in his defensive role, which allowed Sandro Tonali to roam higher up the pitch. He won several tackles and aerial challenges, solidifying the space in front of Milan’s two centre-backs.
Sandro Tonali – 8.5
After coming off the bench against Sassuolo, Tonali was in incredible form, playing in a dynamic box-to-box role. He was instrumental in the central midfield, winning tackles and combing frequently with Rafael Leao on the right wing.
Charles De Ketelaere – 7
From the number ten position, De Ketelaere made a number of solid plays. He looked comfortable in possession in a deeper role and had a decent heading chance in the first half.
Junior Messias – 7
Despite his slow start to the campaign, Messias finally showed why he continues to start over Alexis Saelemaekers. The Brazilian played a solid, functional role on the wing, with his work rate keeping the Milan offense moving forward.
Rafael Leao – 9
Once again, Leao showed that when he is in-form, he is one of the best in the world. The winger demonstrated incredible chemistry with Giroud and Tonali and picked up a brace with two sublime finishes.
Olivier Giroud – 8
In the first half, Giroud managed several opportunities on crosses and corners, but he was unable to direct anything on target. However, he came alive during the second 45, scoring a skillful one-touch finish to put Milan in front.
Substitutes
Brahim Diaz – 5
Diaz was disappointing in relief of De Ketelaere, managing just ten touches in 30 minutes.
Alexis Saelemaekers – N/A
Divock Origi – N/A
Simon Kjaer – N/A
Tommaso Pobega – N/A
RAFAEL LEÃO CAPITALIZES ON INTER'S MISTAKE WITH HIS WEAKER FOOT. ? pic.twitter.com/sCajfAID9A
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 3, 2022
Inter
Samir Handanovic – 6.5
Faced with an in-form Milan attack, Handanovic did his best. He made a couple of nice saves early on, but the goalkeeper was ultimately unable to prevent the onslaught of goals.
Alessandro Bastoni – 4
In the first half, Bastoni had a terrible turnover, giving the ball away to Sandro Tonali in the defensive third. He was at fault for two of Milan’s goals and left the pitch after a subpar 60 minutes.
Stefan de Vrij – 5
On Milan’s second goal, both Bastoni and de Vrij were in poor positions. The two centre-backs allowed Giroud far too much space in the box, and the target man made them pay. Inter’s back three had a poor day overall and has now allowed six goals against two top-half opponents.
Milan Skriniar – 6
Skriniar was not quite as culpable for the backline issues in the match, and he was the only one of the three centre-backs who was not taken off by Inzaghi.
Matteo Darmian – 7.5
Again starting over Federico Dimarco as the left wing-back, Darmian gave Davide Calabria plenty of problems in the channel. He made a number of nice plays and picked up an assist on Inter’s second goal.
Denzel Dumfries – 5
Dumfries had problems creating on the right wing, as Hernandez’s physicality and constant fouling neutralized his pace and creativity.
Marcelo Brozovic – 8.5
While the rest of his team fell apart on the backline, the central midfielder turned in an absolutely world class performance. With Milan’s central midfielders looking to dominate possession, Brozovic made play after play, both on offense and in the defensive third. His brilliant first half run split the Milan defense, and he converted an easy opening goal for the Nerazzurri.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 5.5
The former Milan man struggled to make much of an impact, but he did put a solid attempt on goal in the second half, forcing a great save by Maignan.
Nicolo Barella – 5
Barella had a decent enough first half, but he was unable to create many chances for his side.
Lautaro Martinez – 5.5
After a quiet first 45 minutes, the Argentine became much more dangerous after Edin Dzeko entered the game. He struggled to retain possession in the first half, coming second best to the physicality of Kalulu and Tomori.
Joaquin Correa – 5
Despite picking up an assist on the opening goal, Correa was not at his best. His passing was inaccurate, and he was unable to find dangerous attacking spaces on the pitch.
Substitutes
Edin Dzeko – 8
After replacing Correa, the Bosnian star immediately changed Inter’s fortunes. He scored a quality close-range goal and created multiple chances from counter attacks.
Federico Dimarco – 7
Along with Dzeko, Dimarco helped inspire Inter to nearly complete a late comeback.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6.5
The Armenian managed a shot and won a couple of tackles in his brief appearance, while continuing to push for a starting role.