Player Ratings: AC Milan 3-1 Club Brugge – Reijnders glory; wingers electric | OneFootball

AC Milan clinched their first win of the 2024-25 Champions League edition as they scored three goals against Club Brugge. Several players did well, especially a duo off the bench, and below are the ratings for the Rossoneri.

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out how we decide the player ratings. From the scale to what affects the rating, we have compiled everything there.

Starting XI

Maignan (7): The goalkeeper made some really good saves in the first half and saved Milan from going down early, which could have made for a completely different game. After the red card, he didn’t have a whole lot to do, and he couldn’t do anything about the goal.

Emerson Royal (5.5): Brugge had three dangerous chances on his side of the defence just in the first half alone. In fairness, the third chance came through a quick counter and his positioning was thus understandable, but the first two chances were nearly fatal. He improved after the red card, but we can still demand more.

Gabbia (6): While the defence was stretched at times, the centre-back defended well and also had some lovely long balls for the attackers. He got booked and committed a few fouls, which brings down the rating, but solid.

Tomori (6): Just like his colleague in the heart of the defence, it was more of a solid display than a spectacular or poor one. He wasn’t really out of position on the second goal either.

Hernandez (6): All things considered, the Frenchman was important in both phases of the game and especially in attack. He missed a good cut-back from Leao, and he was a little bit too central on the goal conceded, but he also had some good interceptions and runs forward when needed.

Reijnders (7.5 – MOTM): The Dutchman looked a bit out of place at the start of the first half, just like Fofana, but he certainly improved as the game went on. First he did well to press Onyedika, which resulted in the red card, and then he bagged himself two goals. Right place at the right time on both of them, finally keeping his composure in front of the goal.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Fofana (6): While he did have some good moments, there were too many misplaced passes and lost balls (in dangerous positions mind you) from him today. It just wasn’t as commanding as we saw against Udinese, but still enough to get a pass given his overall contribution.

Pulisic (7): He opened the scoring from the corner flag (!) as a great curler was sent into the box. Sure, he got a bit lucky with what happened after but the cross was still just right. On the second goal, he made a great run towards the first post to open up space for Reijnders as well. And the overall display was very good from him too.

Loftus-Cheek (5.5): He used his physique on a couple of occasions to lock down the ball, but as far as actually contributing in the key phases of the attack, he wasn’t successful.

Leao (6): In all fairness, he did have some good moments tonight, such as the cut-back for Theo and then the run plus pass for Pulisic’s chance in the first half. At the same time, Okafor really made a difference immediately in his position, same with Chukwueze on the opposite side. They are clearly in much better form.

Morata (5.5): Not the usual impact we have become used to from him, looking a bit tired and not really finding his teammates in most situations. Hard work as always, but it would have been a nice with a bit more output.

Substitutes

Chukwueze (7): Stunning work on the third goal, dinking it past his man before driving forward and finding Reijdners in the box. He had a few other good runs into the box which resulted in dangerous chances, and he made the right decisions.

Okafor (7): Just like his opposite man off the bench, it was immediate impact and even though the run against Udinese was better, we shouldn’t downplay today’s run. Again, he kept his composure after beating his man and turning on the acceleration, which is something we don’t see often from Leao.

Camarda (6.5): He became the youngest Italian player, as well as the youngest Milan player, to feature in the Champions League at 16 years and 226 days. He was very unlucky not to get the goal, disallowed for a narrow but clear offside, especially since he was very lively and played well.

Musah (6): Solid passing and control of the ball in midfield, helping Milan see out the game.

Thiaw (N/A): We didn’t see enough to give him a rating.