Milan Player Ratings vs Club Brugge: Reijnders Atones for His Sins | OneFootball

Milan finally got off the mark in the UEFA Champions League this season, beating 10-man Club Brugge 3-1 at home. Despite a multi-goal margin triumph, Rossoneri’s performance at Stadio San Siro flattered to deceive.

Perhaps tired after an exhausting match against Udinese last weekend, Milan endured a rough start to tonight’s game. However, Paulo Fonseca’s team found a halftime lead in the most incredible fashion.

In-form forward Christian Pulisic scored the opening goal directly from the corner to fire the Italian side 1-0 up. After being sent off against Udinese, Tijjani Reijnders drew a red card, which saw Raphael Onyedika receive his marching orders toward the end of the first half.

In spite of a numerical disadvantage, Club Brugge leveled the score early in the second half through Kyriani Sabbe. But it took Milan only ten minutes to restore their lead as Noah Okafor delivered a delightful assist to Reijnders second after replacing Rafael Leao.

Reijnders ran the show for the rest of the game. The Dutch midfielder doubled Milan’s advantage with another fantastic finish from outside the box. This time, it was Samuel Chukwueze who delivered an assist.

Prodigious striker Francesco Camarda thought he had scored his first-ever Champions League goal down the final stretch, only to see VAR disallow his towering header for a minimal offside.

Without further ado, let’s look at our Milan ratings.

Milan (4-2-3-1)

Mike Maignan – 6

Rarely tested apart from the goal, the French goalkeeper only had to make a few comfortable saves.

Theo Hernandez – 6

Apart from several signature runs down the flank, the talismanic wingback failed to impress. It looks like off-field turmoil is getting the better of him.

Fikayo Tomori – 6.5

The Englishman wasn’t at his best but did enough to control the damage. Onyedika’s expulsion relieved him of the pressure after a shaky start.

Matteo Gabbia – 6

Back to the starting XI after spending several games on the bench, the homegrown Milan defender had several erratic interventions and looked a bit rusty.

Emerson Royal – 6.5

Milan fans may find it hard to believe, but the Brazilian is improving. In addition to numerous interceptions, he barely had a wrong pass tonight.

Youssouf Fofana – 7

He was the missing link last season. The ex-Monaco midfielder enjoyed another terrific game, though his shooting ability let him down.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6

This in-and-out role under Fonseca has taken the wind out of his sails. He couldn’t gain a foothold in the match.

Rafael Leao – 6

Like Hernandez, his odd relationship with the new Milan manager has seemingly messed up with his head. Sluggish!

Tijjani Reijnders – 8

The Dutchman couldn’t have imagined a better way to atone for his clumsy red card against Udinese. He was the point of difference tonight.

Christian Pulisic – 7.5

The Milan magic man struck again! A goal directly from the corner had been the only thing that was missing until tonight!

Alvaro Morata – 6

Completely disconnected from the pack, the Spaniard had a frustrating evening, failing to impact proceedings whatsoever.

Substitutes

Noah Okafor – 7.5

Samuel Chukwueze – 7.5

Francesco Camarda – 6.5

Yunus Musah – 6