Player Ratings: Milan 1-0 Udinese – Pulisic the difference-maker | OneFootball

Christian Pulisic’s assist for Samuel Chukwueze inspired a hard-fought Milan victory against Udinese, while Malick Thiaw and Strahinja Pavlović led the Rossoneri defence with personality.

Match-winner Chukwueze was Lega Serie A’s Man of the Match in Milan’s win over Udinese on Saturday.

However, we at Football Italia picked Pulisic not only for his assist but also for his spirit of sacrifice and because he led the team by example, especially after Tijjani Reijnders’ red card in the first half.

epa11669003 AC Milan’s forward Samuel Chukwueze (R) celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Udinese at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy, 19 Ocrober 2024. EPA-EFE/Daniel Dal Zennaro

Chukwueze also put in a solid performance at San Siro, but Pulisic gave Milan precisely what they needed in terms of quality and personality, especially with Theo Hernandez suspended and Rafael Leao on the bench for 90 minutes for technical reasons.

Milan dominated in the opening 30 minutes, while Udinese put their noses out only after Reijnders was given his marching orders.

The Bianconeri had two goals disallowed, including one during the stoppages in the second half, but their coach, Kosta Runjaić, refused to blame the referee—a lesson that some of his Italian colleagues should learn.

Milan vs Udinese – Player ratings

Milan: Maignan 6.5; E. Royal 6, Thiaw 6.5, Pavlović 7, Terracciano 5.5; Fofana 6, Reijnders 5; Chukwueze 7, Pulisic 7.5, Okafor 6.5 (46′ Musah 5.5); Morata 6.5 (73′ Abraham N/A, 77′ Loftus-Cheek 6). Coach: Fonseca 7

Best Milan player: Pulisic 7.5 – He played “everywhere” at San Siro. Attacking midfielder, winger and striker. A complete performance from the American star who has eight goal contributions (five goals, three assists) in eight league matches this term. Impressive.

Lowest Milan rating: Reijnders 5 – The red card was inevitable. The Dutchman was in the wrong position. He’ll learn from it.

Milan coach: Fonseca 7—There were some tough decisions there. Theo was suspended, and on top of that, he left Leao, Tomori, and Abraham on the bench. It worked out, and he proved that most players stand by his side.

Udinese: Okoye 7; Kabasele 6.5, Bijol 6.5, Touré 6.5; Ehizibue 6.5 (60′ Kamara 6), Lovrić 6.5 (70′ Payero 6), Karlström 5.5 (81′ Brenner N/A), Zarraga 5.5 (70′ Ekkelenkamp 5.5), Zemura 5.5; Bravo 5 (60′ Davis 5), Lucca 5.5. Coach: Runjaić 6.5.

Best Udinese player: Okoye 7 – A stunning save in the second half to deny Pulisic (Who else?). Always comfortable between the sticks.

Lowest Udinese ranking: Bravo 5 – First start in Serie A, but struggled to have an impact.

Udinese coach: Runjaić 6.5 – He was not entirely happy with the performance, but his players were brave and gave their all against one of Italy’s biggest clubs. Should Udinese have done something more after Reijnders was shown a red card? Maybe, but at the same time, they were unlucky, with two goals disallowed for offside. Two close calls.