Milan Player Ratings vs Girona: Leao Launches Rossoneri into Top 8 | OneFootball

It wasn’t pretty, yet Milan saw off Girona 1-0 at the San Siro to sneak into the top eight of the Champions League’s league phase. Rafael Leao netted a first-half winner to inspire his side to a crucial victory in Europe.

Milan headed into proceedings seeking a fifth consecutive win in the Champions League for only the third time in club history. Despite wasting several promising chances in the first half, Sergio Conceicao’s team grabbed a well-deserved lead through Leao.

However, millimeters separated Girona from an equalizer early in the second half. Bryan Gil scored a beauty but was fractionally offside, offering the Rossoneri a lifeline. Conceicao seemingly ordered a more careful approach after the break, as Milan barely threatened Paulo Gazzaniga beyond halftime.

Even though they didn’t create a single chance in the second half, Milan registered their first clean sheet under Conceicao to take a massive step toward securing automatic qualification for the Round of 16.

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

Milan (4-2-3-1)

Mike Maignan –

Who knows where the game could’ve gone had it not been for his fantastic save to thwart Donny van de Beek in a one-on-one

Emerson Royal – N/A

Forced off with an injury only four minutes into the match.

Matteo Gabbia –

Dominant in the air and calm in possession, the Milan homegrown center-back delivered another commendable performance.

Strahinja Pavlovic –

There’s a feeling he can get booked at any moment. His often over-zealous and mistimed tackles must have frustrated Conceicao, though he fared well in aerial duels. Atoned with a last-gasp defending late on!

Theo Hernandez –

It’s not like Theo to miss a sitter like that! Despite wasting a glorious chance midway through the first half, the elite left-back continued to be a menace to Girona’s backline.

Youssouf Fofana –

His defensive contribution was immense, though it came at the expense of offensive duties as he often refused to take risks in possession, letting Ismael Bennacer handle the creative burden.

Ismael Bennacer – 7

The Algerian ace isn’t at his best yet, but he demonstrated his ball-carrying ability several times and worked his socks off to give Milan an all-important midfield supremacy. His pass to set up Leao was exquisite.

Tijjani Reijnders – 6

Given the stakes, he didn’t have the luxury of being casual, yet he often was, frequently losing possession in search of highlight plays.

Rafael Leao –

Theo’s unfathomable miss denied him an assist, but he scored another superb goal to put Milan in front, making David Lopez look silly before hammering home a thumping finish.

Yunus Musah –

It seems like the winger’s role starts to suit the USMNT star as he tormented Girona’s defense in the first half and even hit the post with a devastating low effort.

Alvaro Morata – 5.5

With all due respect to his incredible work rate, the Spaniard should think more about becoming a threat in the box. Another uneventful attacking showing!

Substitutes

Davide Calabria – 3.5

Emerson’s early injury offered him an opportunity to prove himself. Instead, he made fun of himself, miskicking the ball in one half than a professional player should in their entire career.

Tammy Abraham –

Christian Pulisic –

Filippo Terracciano –