At the Marassi stadium in Genoa, Sampdoria hosted Milan who are still without their ultimate star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Nevertheless, Stefano Pioli’s men were able to come out with a 2-1 victory and remain top of the Serie A table. Franck Kessié opened the scoring for the visitors from the spot kick, and Samu Castillejo added the second, while Albin Ekdal’s late goal wasn’t more than a consolation for the hosts. So here are our player ratings for the round 10 encounter between Sampdoria and Milan.
Sampdoria XI
Emil Audero – 5.5
Although it wasn’t a bad performance for the former Juventus shot-stopper, he could have been placed a little better for Castillejo’s goal.
Bartosz Bereszyński – N/A
The Polish right-back only lasted for 17 minutes before being taken off injured.
Alex Ferrari – 6
The Italian started the match in his natural center-back position, but was asked to cover as a right-back after Bereszyński’s early exit, and understandably failed to add much on the overlaps.
Lorenzo Tonelli – 6.5
A solid performance from the former Napoli man who marshaled the Sampdoria defense, and made a vital goal-line clearance to deny an early Milan goal.
Tomasso Augello – 6.5
The left-back did well in supporting the Blucerchiati’s attacks, as he laid several good crosses for his teammates, while also falling back to fulfill his defensive duties.
Antonio Candreva – 6.5
Claudio Ranieri’s over-reliance on the crossing game of the former Lazio and Inter winger could be seen throughout the match. He moved from one flank to another, and while his delivery wasn’t always top-notch, his corner kick was behind Samp’s lone goal.
Morten Thorsby – 6
The Norwegian midfielder is a true warrior of a player, and enjoyed a great physical battle against Kessié. However, his technical touch often lets him down in the final third, and he wasted several free headers.
Adrien Silva – 5.5
The Portuguese veteran was barely seen during the first half. He conceded a yellow card for a challenge on Tonali and was relieved of his duties at half time.
Jakub Jankto – 5
Another player who was taken off at half time. Unfortunately for the Sampdoria midfielder, he gave away a Milan penalty for a needless handball, and never threatened on the flanks.
Manolo Gabbiadini – 5
The former Southampton man was barely allowed a touch on the ball. A match to forget for the striker.
Fabio Quagliarella – 5.5
The Sampdoria captain struggled against the Milan defense as well, but receives a slightly better rating because he’s a player who just never gives up.
Sampdoria Substitutes
Omar Colley – 6.5
He entered the pitch during the first half after Bereszyński’s injury, and made several key interceptions on the likes of Rebić and Saelemaekers.
Albin Ekdal – 6.5
The Swedish veteran ended up scoring his side’s lone goal, and could have been the ultimate hero with a last-minute equalizer, but his header went a little wide.
Mikkel Damsgaard – 6
The young Danish winger was a clear improvement on Jankto, as he added some much needed vivacity to the flanks.
Antonio La Gumina – 5.5
Perhaps slightly better than Gabbiadini, but yet another Sampdoria striker who failed to make an impact against the Milan defenders.
Mehdi Léris – N/A
29 – AC Milan have set their record streak of consecutive Serie A scoring games (30). Unchained.#SampdoriaMilan pic.twitter.com/INcINKsrjN
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) December 6, 2020
Milan XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6
The Italy number one made an early save on Tonelli’s header and looked composed throughout the match, but couldn’t save Ekdal’s header after a fumble with Çalhanoğlu.
Davide Calabria – 7
A solid performance from the right-back who is enjoying by far the best season of his young career. He was always willing to support on the overlaps, and put on a decent defensive shift as well.
Matteo Gabbia – 7
The youngster was given a rare chance in the absence of Simon Kjaer, and he pleaded his case for a starting spot with a wonderful defensive performance as he helped nullifying the threats of the Sampdoria strikers.
Alessio Romagnoli – 7.5
A brilliant performance from the Milan captain who completely and effortlessly shut down the Sampdoria attacks while leading the way for an extremely young Rossoneri defense.
Theo Hernandez – 7
Another typical Theo performance. A menace for the opposition with his pace and trickery down the left flank.
Franck Kessié – 7
The Ivorian midfielder opened the scoring for Milan with a wonderful penalty kick, in another hard-working display in the middle of the pitch.
Sandro Tonali – 7
The former Brescia youngster is slowly but surely winning over his manager with his improving displays, as he made sure that the absent Ismael Bennacer wasn’t really missed. He won the ball back for his side several times and almost scored a goal early in the second half.
Alexis Saelemaekers – 6.5
The Belgian winger is always able to link-up well with his teammates thanks to his quick and smart passes. One of Milan’s most consistent players so far.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 6
A hard-working performance from the attacking-midfielder, but he failed to create dangerous chances for his teammates as he usually does, and his set-piece delivery wasn’t top-notch tonight. He also failed to clear out Ekdal’s header on Sampdoria’s goal.
Brahim Díaz – 5
A sub-par performance from the Real Madrid loanee who repeatedly wasted chances with his bad decision-making and poor touches. Rightly taken off by half time.
Ante Rebić – 6.5
The Croatian acted as a reference point for the Milan attacks as he was the only one able to physically match the tough Sampdoria defenders. He assisted Castillejo on the goal and almost created another for Saelemaekers, but his finishing was off tonight.
Milan Substitutes
Jens Petter Hauge – 6.5
The Norwegian youngster is quickly becoming a fan favorite among Rossoneri fans. Although it wasn’t his most impressive performance, he was a vast improvement on Brahim, and his work on the left flank instigated Castillejo’s goal.
Samu Castillejo – 6.5
The Spanish winger scored from his very first touch of the game after his introduction.
Rade Krunić – N/A
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