The Sunday night Serie A match at the Stadio Olimpico saw Milan taking all the three points on offer thanks to a relentless performance sealed by Frank Kessié and Ante Rebic’s goals. But Roma did hold their own as well, managing to equalize with Jordan Veretout and remaining in contention until the very last minute.
Here are our player ratings for the Roma – Milan clash:
Roma XI
Pau Lopez – 6,5
Surely the MVP of his team, especially during the first half. His saves from Ibrahimovic, Rebic and Saelemaekers kept Roma afloat for a long time. He almost saved Kessié’s penalty, but risked losing the ball from Ibra early into the game. That could have cost much to Roma!
Federico Fazio – 4.5
A bad game for the Argentinian, who always suffering the fast attacks of the Rossoneri offsensive trio. He was caught by the VAR causing the penalty that put Milan ahead.
Bryan Cristante – 5.5
He is not a defender and this match confirmed it once again, though his performance was not so awful after all.
Gianluca Mancini – 5
Always proactive, he tried to contain Ibrahimovic and did manage to limit the big Swede, but he is much to blame in occasion of Ante Rebic’s goal.
Rick Karsdorp – 6
The battle with Theo Hernandez was a tough one and he fought it well. He managed to make himself dangerous in a few occasions.
Gonzalo Villar – 5
Almost invisible until the substitution, he never managed to find a way to get rid of Milan’s pressure.
Jordan Veretout – 6.5
The first French player to score 10 goals in a Serie A season since the days of a certain Michel Platini, he is proving to be a key pillar in Fonseca’s system of play.
Leonardo Spinazzola – 6
He was blocked by Calabria in many occasions, but still managed to provide the winning assist for Jordan Veretout’s equalizer.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6
He had a goal disallowed in the first half due to a Pellegrini foul in the build-up, but he surely was one of the biggest threats for Milan’s defenders with his speed and change of pace.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 5.5
After struggling during the first half, Roma’s Captain was kept at bay by the pressure of Milan’s midfield. He was more nervous than usual and didn’t conclude much.
Borja Mayoral – 5
A pretty colorless performance for the Spaniard, who was never to be seen for the whole first half.
Roma Substitutes
Bruno Peres – 5,5
He had one big chance, but his header was saved by Donnarumma. That was all from him.
Stephan El Shaarawy – 5
Calabria was quick to take some countermeasures as soon as he was sent in and so the former Rossonero didn’t live a memorable night.
Amadou Diawara – N/A
Pedro – N/A
A symphony in Rome ?
Powered by @gruppo_a2a#RomaMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/G0L6fRoYZ9— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 28, 2021
Milan XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6,5
Fantastic as usual. Gigio is the only constant certainty in Stefano Pioli’s team.
Davide Calabria – 6
Spinazzola and Mikhitarian were two tough cookies to deal with, but he didn’t suffer them much – except maybe in the occasion of Roma’s goal.
Simon Kjaer – 7
The Danish defender didn’t suffer in his first game partnering with Tomori and also went close to score with a fantastic header that was only pushed back by the crossbar.
Fikayo Tomori – 7
Just like Kjaer, the former Chelsea man confirmed all the good things he showed in his first matches. He also proved he has quite a nice foot as he had a goal disallowed for offside. Was basically perfect in the defense phase.
Theo Hernandez – 6.5
Good defensively, devastating offensively. He was the main danger for the depleted Roma defense.
Franck Kessié – 6.5
Il Presidente was decisive as usual for Milan, especially from the penalty spot. He is definitely back to good condition, even on the mental side.
Sandro Tonali – 6.5
His chemistry with Kessié is growing, and the young Italian showed more and more confidence, both defensively and in attack.
Alexis Saelemaekers – 6.5
On top of serving Rebic a fantastic assist that changed the match, the Belgian was one of the most dangerous in attack and one of the most proactive in defense.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 5.5
Have you seen this man? Hakan picked up an injury that left him in the locker room at half time, but the Turk still appeared far from the golden condition he showed before contracting COVID.
Ante Rebic – 7.5
He was too generous in the first half, when he offered an assist to a offside-positioned Ibra instead of going for the shot. However, he made for that in the second half with a brilliant finished that wrapped Milan’s win.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 6
The Swedish giant was on fire and Roma’s defenders’ job very hard in the first half. Picked up an injury early into the second half and had to give way to Rafael Leao.
Milan Substitutes
Brahim Diaz – 6
Back on the pitch after a long time, the small-sized Spaniard played an intelligent match. Welcome back!
Rafael Leao – 6.5
He had a difficult task but, after a few minutes where he appeared lazy and apathetic, Rafael switched to his more proactive version, going close to scoring the third goal for his side.
Rade Krunic – 6.5
Getting on the pitch to replace the best man in your team is never easy, but his performance was good and his goal-scoring attempt from the midfield line was too incredible to be true.
Soualiho Meité – N/A
Samu Castillejo – N/A