Milan extended its historic start to the campaign on Sunday, beating Roma 2-1 in an entertaining match. The Rossoneri dominated the first 60 minutes of the match, their defense shutting down Roma’s talented forwards, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Davide Calabria led an inspired attack. Theo Hernandez’s pair of yellow cards nearly turned the tide for the Romans, who scored a late goal, but the club’s comeback attempt ultimately fell short.
Roma
Rui Patricio – 5
After a string of solid performances, Patricio’s form faltered against Milan. The net-minder took a horrible position on Zlatan’s free kick strike, leaving half the goal open for the Swede.
Rick Karsdorp – 4
The Roma right-back also had a poor showing. Karsdorp committed a number of fruitless fouls and was exposed defensively several times by Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez. His clumsy tackle on Leao outside the box allowed Ibrahimovic to score the opening goal.
Gianluca Mancini – 5
Mancini was in-form in the first half, but the centre-back failed to contain Ibrahimovic in the second. His challenge on the Swede gave away a penalty and allowed Milan to take all three points.
Roger Ibanez – 5.5
Like his partner, Ibanez had a mixed performance. He won multiple tackles, but his second half showing was subpar, especially when he attempted to defend the 40-year-old Zlatan.
Matias Vina – 5
Vina was another Roman defender that had a poor match. Though he made a handful of threatening runs in the first half, the Uruguayan failed to turn in a decent defensive performance and gave the ball away multiple times with poor distribution.
Bryan Cristante – 7
The defensive midfielder turned in the most consistent performance of the day, making several important tackles and also contributing on the offensive end. He completed a high rate of his passes and helped his side stop a never-ending flow of attacks.
Jordan Veretout – 6
The midfielder played a supporting role, looking to release Roma’s quick forwards on counter attacks. Though his distribution was outstanding, he struggled when off the ball with his positioning, allowing Milan to overwhelm the hosts’ defensive third.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 6
Pellegrini managed five shots, but he conceded possession several times and was not the usual creative force that Roma supporters are accustomed to. Like several of his teammates, his form improved after Hernandez was sent off.
Nicolò Zaniolo – 7
The 22-year-old was unable to exploit space on the wing and was tightly shadowed by Kessie and Hernandez. Zaniolo’s play improved in the second half, and the winger created several scoring opportunities for the Giallorossi. With Roma up a man late, he managed a header that was barely cleared off the line by Simon Kjaer.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6
Despite Roma’s offensive struggles, Mkhitaryan had a decent game. Though he was unable to spark many scoring chances, the Armenian was influential throughout the pitch and helped support the backline. He was surprisingly taken off at the start of the second half.
Tammy Abraham – 4.5
Abraham was completely shut down by Milan’s defensive front. The forward was closely marked by Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori, and his creativity suffered from his restricted space.
Substitutes
Felix Afena-Gyan – 6
The 18-year-old made his second ever appearance, coming on for Mkhitaryan at halftime. He managed one long range shot that threatened Ciprian Tatarusanu, but he was otherwise ineffective.
Stephan El-Shaarawy – 7
The super sub did it again, scoring another late goal for Roma, though it was not enough to complete the comeback.
Carles Perez – N/A
Eldor Shomurodov – N/A
40-year-old Zlatan scores his 400th league goal!
Ageless. Timeless. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/nxzrD8m7mm
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 31, 2021
Milan
Ciprian Tatarusanu – 7
Milan’s second-choice goalkeeper has been solid throughout Mike Maignan’s extended absence. He went relatively untested until after Hernandez’s red card, when he was forced to make several difficult saves.
Davide Calabria – 8
Calabria had a fantastic match, putting on a creative show on the right wing. The defender was heavily involved in the attack and played several dangerous crosses into the box.
Simon Kjaer – 9
Kjaer was Milan’s best player of the day, turning in a dominant defensive performance. The veteran defender won several tackles and aerial battles throughout the match. He was key to shutting down Tammy Abraham, who looked unthreatening during his time on the pitch.
Fikayo Tomori – 8
Tomori was outstanding alongside his Danish partner. He also won a handful of challenges, and often looked to carry the ball into the midfield.
Theo Hernandez – 5
Milan’s weak link defensively, Hernandez picked up two yellow cards during the match on two awful tackles. He combined well with Leao in the first half, but his lack of awareness nearly cost the Rossoneri three points.
Ismael Bennacer – 7
Bennacer was quietly influential, helping Milan build from deep in the defensive third. He had a crucial double block in the second half that possibly saved a goal.
Franck Kessié – 7.5
Kessie was in his usual good form, winning several tackles during the match. The Ivorian continues to be Milan’s best player, and he scored his second goal of the year after Zlatan drew a penalty.
Alexis Saelemaekers – 4
Saelemaekers had another disappointing game, making almost no impact on proceedings. The Belgian was overshadowed by Calabria on the right wing and committed a number of errors.
Rade Krunic – 6
Krunic had an uneventful outing, contributing little to Milan’s offensive efforts. However, the Bosnian was active in the Rossoneri high press and helped his side win back the ball more than once.
Rafael Leao – 7
Leao was incredibly creative in the first half, looking very dangerous on the left wing. The Portuguese forward is full of potential, but he still has moments of inconsistency, missing a point-blank shot from less than six yards out.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 8.5
Zlatan scored his 400th career goal on a wonderful free kick strike in the first half. The Swede was influential in the Milan attack, often dropping deep into the midfield to create space in the backline. In the second half, he overwhelmed Ibanez and Mancini, getting behind the pair on several occasions. He drew a penalty in the second half that was scored by Kessie to ice the game.
Substitutes
Olivier Giroud – 5
Giroud surprisingly replaced Zlatan with 33 minutes left in the match. He failed to influence the match, touching the ball just nine times after being introduced.
Fodé Ballo-Touré – 6.5
After Hernandez’s red card, Ballo-Toure came on to provide defensive support. He played in a withdrawn role and did well defending Zaniolo.
Sandro Tonali – N/A
Alessio Romagnoli – N/A
Tiemoue Bakayoko – N/A