Milan registered their third straight victory after making easy work of Venezia in Venice today. It took only two minutes for Stefano Pioli’s side to open the scoring after Zlatan Ibrahimovic found the net from Rafael Leao’s pass. The Rossoneri tried to extend their lead further during the first half but Sergio Romero foiled them.
However, Theo Hernandez doubled their lead early in the second half before adding a third from the spot. The penalty also saw Venezia reduced to ten men as Michael Svoboda was sent off for a handball. Venezia had their moments on the field but did not threaten the Milan backline. They were far from clinical and eventually paid the price.
Milan could not get a fourth and had to settle for a 3-0 win. It capped off a remarkable performance from the Rossoneri. the win sees them at the top of the Serie A table, two points over reigning champions Inter who have two games in hand.
Let us take a look at how the players from Milan and Venezia fared today.
Venezia XI
Sergio Romero- 6.5
Was kept busy throughout the entirety of the match. The former Manchester United man made a few saves to deny Milan and got a touch on Hernandez’s penalty. However, he was unable to prevent the Rossoneri from netting three.
Pasquale Mazzocchi- 5.5
Provided a fine cross in the first half but Henry was unable to make the most out of it. Could do nothing to stop Hernandez from scoring Milan’s second. All in all, a lukewarm performance from the 26-year-old.
Michael Svoboda- 5
Was alright in the first half but things went downhill for the Austrian in the second. He foolishly gave away the ball in a delicate position and eventually blocked Hernandez’s shot with his hand. This earned Milan a penalty and Svoboda his marching orders. An outing to forget for Svoboda but he had a passing accuracy of 94%.
Pietro Ceccaroni- 5
The Venezia captain could do little to prevent the Milan attackers from finding the net. Ceccaroni provided a few long balls from back and had a passing accuracy of 84%.
Ridgeciano Haps- 5.5
Like all other Venezia defenders, the 28-year-old had a disappointing game. He found it difficult to cope with Saelemakers.
Michael Cuisance- 6
The 22-year-old made his debut for Venezia and worked hard on the pitch. He was often involved defensively as Milan continued to threaten. Cuisance had 43 touches on the ball and amassed three tackles and an interception.
Ethan Ampadu- 7
The Welshman was Venezia’s best player on the pitch. Ampadu often helped his team’s backline and went forward to try and trouble the Milan backline. The former Chelsea man did have a header on goal but it missed the target. Ampadu had more touches than any other Venezia player.
Gianluca Busio- 6
The American was among Venezia’s better players on the pitch. Busio was often involved in his team’s attack and had one key pass. He also had a pass accuracy of 90%.
Mattia Aramu- 5.5
Far from a memorable outing for the 26-year-old. Put in a few crosses but nothing came out of them. Aramu had a shot on goal early in the second half but it lacked power to trouble Maignan.
David Okereke-6
There were moments when the Nigerian troubled the Milan backline but lacked the killer instinct. Had two key passes and a passing accuracy of 88%.
Thomas Henry-4.5
The Frenchman had Venezia’s first shot on target but it never troubled Maignan. Henry seemd to have a good scoring opportunity when Mazzocchi delivered a cross towards him. However, he could not get to it. All in all, a disappointing outing for the striker.
Venezia Substitutes
Dennis Johnsen- 6
Came in for Aramu at the hour-mark and had two key passes along with a passing accuracy of 100%.
Domen Crnigoj- 5
Replaced Henry at the hour-mark but did not have much of an impact on the match.
Sofian Kiyine- 5
Came on for Cuisance and had a key pass.
Luca Fiordilino- 5.5
Replaced Busio and had a 100% passing accuracy.
Bjarki Bjarkason- N/A
Milan XI
Mike Maignan-6
Was never really troubled throughout the match. The closest he came to pulling off a save was when he simply held on to Henry’s header. M
Alessandro Florenzi- 7.5
Seemed solid at right-back. Took a strong shot at goal just before the half-hour mark but was denied by Romero. Defended well to deny Henry from heading Mazzocchi’s cross. Never shied away from going forward and had a passing accuracy of 89%.
Pierre Kalulu-6.5
Started at centre-back again and did well to deny Aramu and Okereke early in the first half. All in all, a pretty decent performance from the French defender.
Matteo Gabbia- 6.5
Did not have much to do throughout the match but was up to the task on the off occasion when he was needed. Gabbia had 75 touches on the ball with a passing accuracy of 93%.
Theo Hernandez- 9.5
Continued to show why he is one of the best fullbacks in the world. The Frenchman played a role in all of Milan’s goals. After playing a role in the first goal, Hernandez scored the Rossoneri’s second and third. Given that he had a number of shots on goal, the former Real Madrid man could have had a hat-trick today. Nonetheless, another impressive display for the Rossoneri’s captain on the day. Undisputed Man of the Match.
Sandro Tonali- 7
Brilliant display from the 21-year-old. Linked up well with his teammates and made a key challenge to prevent Okereke from threatening Milan’s goal. Helped Milan offensively as well, having a key pass.
Tiemoue Bakayoko- 6.5
Linked up well with his teammates and often joined the forwards in the attack. Took an attempt on goal but it was wide.
Alexis Saelemakers- 6.5
Got booked in the first half but often troubled the Venezia backline. Had two key passes to his name before being subbed off at half-time.
Brahim Diaz- 6
Took a shot on goal but was way off target. Not the best outing for the Spaniard.
Rafael Leao- 7.5
Provided the assist for Ibrahimovic’s opening goal and kept troubling the Venezia backline on a number of occasions. Often tested Romero but the Argentine was up to the task, making a fine save to deny him in the first half. Got subbed off for Rebic just after the hour-mark.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic- 7.5
The Swede opened the scoring for Milan with the easiest of finishes. Was involved in the move that led to the penalty. Got replaced by Olivier Giroud in the 73rd minute.
Milan substitutes
Junior Messias- 6.5
The Brazilian replaced Saelemakers at the interval and was often involved in Milan’s attacks during the second half.
Ante Rebic- 6
Came on for Rafael Leao just after the hour-mark and did not have much of an impact.
Olivier Giroud- 6
Replaced Ibrahimovic in the 73rd minute and had a key pass. However, that was about it for the Frenchman.
Luca Stanga- N/A