On Sunday night, Milan hosted Napoli at the San Siro Stadium for the big clash of Serie A round 18. The Partenopei snatched a shocking lead as early as the 5th minute thanks to Piotr Zielinski’s corner kick which was nodded home by Eljif Elmas. The Rossoneri had to wait until the final minutes to score the equalizer through Franck Kessié, but it was later disallowed by VAR due to a controversial offside decision. Therefore, the visitors maintained their slight advantage at the final whistle, jumping back the second place in the table. So let’s take a look at the player ratings from the major battle between Milan and Napoli.
Milan XI
Mike Maignan – 6
Besides picking up the ball from his own net early in the match, the former Lille man had very little to do throughout the evening.
Alessandro Florenzi – 6.5
The former Roma captain found trouble against Elmas early on but then managed to grow with the match. Looked solid in one-on-one duels and almost scored from a spectacular left-foot volley that went whistling past Ospina’s goal.
Fikayo Tomori – 7
The England international surely didn’t deserve to be on the losing side at the end of the night. Kept Milan in the match with one crucial interception after the other.
Alessio Romagnoli – 6.5
The captain was another solid performer for Stefano Pioli at the back. Dealt well with Petagna who couldn’t find a way past him.
Fodé Ballo-Touré – 6
The left-back couldn’t make up for Theo’s absence, but still delivered a sublime cross for Ibrahimovic in the first half and was also behind the cross that instigated Milan’s disallowed equalizer. However, Lozano caused him all sort of trouble at the back, but his teammates bailed him out on several occasions.
Sandro Tonali – 5.5
The young Italian couldn’t stamp his authority in the middle of the park as he did on many other occasions this season. Was beaten by Elmas for the header which led to the match’s lone goal, and found difficulties against Zielinski at times.
Franck Kessié – 5.5
The Ivorian had a frustrating night with his timing and passing being mostly off. Nevertheless, he will count himself unlucky for having his late equalizer ruled out by a controversial VAR call.
Junior Messias – 5.5
The former Crotone man had his moments, including a decent run followed by a shot that went just off target. However, he drifted out of the match for large spells.
Brahim Diaz – 5
The young playmaker had a torrid time stuck between the Napoli center backs and the midfielders in front of them. He found very little space and struggled in the physical duels.
Rade Krunic – 5.5
The Bosnian is definitely a hard worker, but he’s not exactly someone who’s likely to emerge when Milan need a hero. A more dynamic left winger was surely needed.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 5.5
The legendary striker tested Ospina with a bolt of a shot early in the second half, but seemed to lack sharpness in front of goal, as some of his attempts went off target.
Milan Substitutes
Alexis Saelemaekers – 6
The Belgian played in a less-customary role on the left flank, but added some much-needed energy to the Diavolo.
Olivier Giroud – 5.5
The Frenchman was on the receiving end of some crosses but failed to direct it towards goal. His offside position cost Milan a late equalizer.
Samuel Castillejo – N/A
Ismael Bennacer – N/A
Pierre Kalulu – N/A
2015 – Napoli have kept the clean sheet in two Serie A meetings in a row against AC Milan for the first time since 2015. Shutter.#SerieA #MilanNapoli
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) December 19, 2021
Napoli XI
David Ospina – 6.5
The Colombian shot-stopper brilliantly denied Ibra’s vicious shot, but surprisingly wasn’t tested on too many occasions. His safe and smart passing helped Napoli is bringing the ball of their area.
Kevin Malcuit – 6.5
A decent display from the Frenchman who galloped up and down the right flank. Provided his teammates with some delicious crosses and did well to limit the danger of Krunic and Ballo-Touré.
Amir Rrahmani – 7.5
One half of the magnifcent defensive partnership that secured all three points for the Partenopei. Frustrated Ibrahimovic all night, and had the best of Giroud following the latter’s introduction.
Juan Jesus – 7.5
Despite the absence of Kalidou Koulibaly and Kostas Manolas, Napoli found themselves an unlikely super duo in defense. The Brazilian was a rock at back, bullying the Milan attackers all night and snatching the ball away from them with ease.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6
The Euro 2020 winner switched to an unfamiliar left-back role and rarely surged forward. However, he did well to limit the threat of Messias. A solid but unspectacular performance.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 6.5
The former Fulham man was one of the main reasons why Napoli had the better of the midfield battle. However, he almost gifted Milan an equalizer with a fumbled clearance that put Ibrahimovic through on goal.
Diego Demme – 5.5
The German ran hard in the middle, chasing every ball, but he was particularly poor with his passing, which is why Luciano Spalletti had to sacrifice him in favor of Lobotka.
Hirving Lozano – 6.5
The Mexican was everywhere on the pitch, helping his side in all aspects of the game. Caused havoc for the opposition with some of his dangerous runs towards the box, but his finishing let him down.
Piotr Zielinski – 7
In the absence of Fabian Ruiz, the former Udinese man was the main source of creativity for Napoli in the middle of the park. Provided the assist for Elmas with a smart corner kick, and even managed to leave the unbreakable Tomori on the ground with one of his dazzling dribbles.
Eljif Elmas – 7
The young Macedonian managed to escape Tonali to nod home the encounter’s lone goal with a clinical header. Had the better of Florenzi early on before fading later in the match. But the damage was already done.
Andrea Petagna – 6
The former Milan man failed to punish his former side despite receiving one or two good chances. But fought hard for every ball and dropped deep to support his teammates in defending the lead.
Napoli Substitutes
Stanislav Lobotka – 6
His introduction added a much-needed quality touch for Napoli in the middle of the park.
Adam Ounas – N/A
Matteo Politano – N/A
Dries Mertens – N/A
Faouzi Ghoulam – N/A