Milan ended their six-game Derby della Madonnina losing streak with a dramatic 2-1 victory over rivals Inter, with goals from Christian Pulisic and Matteo Gabbia.
Inter
Sommer: Leao tested him with his shots, but the keeper was always dependable. He also saved from Morata and Reijnders, avoiding the worst. On the goals, he’s the least culpable. 7.5/10
Pavard: Similar to his teammates, sometimes worse. Suffered against Abraham, never gave an impression of security. 5/10
Acerbi: Morata was too mobile for his taste (and his legs). He held on with experience, but when Milan accelerated he was often in difficulty. 5/10
Bastoni: A fair attacking contribution with a couple of cutting passes, but the defensive Bastoni was another story. 5.5/10
Dumfries: Decent push in the first half, when Inter still had some energy, but nothing memorable. 6/10
Barella: From the Superman of Manchester to the good midfielder of San Siro. The goal started with him, and he played a solid role. 6/10
Çalhanoglu: The playmaker Calha is another story. This one stitched the play here and there, but didn’t create enough. Often the midfield was bypassed by long balls: just 42 touches overall. 5/10
Mkhitaryan: Never really in the game and a little indifferent in midfield. 5/10
Dimarco: Scored the goal and offered more. The most dangerous with runs down the wing but his teammates weren’t a his level at times. 6.5/10
Thuram: A derby to forget. One run and a shot into the void. Sometimes it seemed like Inter were playing with ten men. Who knows why he doesn’t come off earlier. 5/10
Lautaro: Nice assist for Dimarco, then nothing else, except for a shot that went wide and one on target. He’s not scoring anymore and it’s becoming an issue. 5.5/10
Substitutes
Zielinski: 5/10
Asllani: In for the booked (and tired) Calhanoglu, but didn’t have the quality to overturn an already compromised result. 5/10
Frattesi: Physically there, but wandered without position and didn’t impact the game. 5.5/10
Carlos Augusto: N/A
Darmian: Replaced Dumfries at Inter’s most complicated moment. Failed to include himself in the attacking phase and suffered againsy Leaos’ counterattacks.
Milan
Maignan: Much less noticeable than his Inter counterpart because Inter were far less dangerous. The nice save on Thuram is worth the evening. 6.5/10
Emerson Royal: Timid start when suffering against Dimarco, but finished with a strong and determined reaction. A couple of crosses, a near goal, good in the attacking phase. 6.5/10
Gabbia: Excellent in the area, always anticipating, he stamped his authority on an unforgettable derby with the 2-1 goal in front of Spalletti. 7.5/10
Tomori: It’s a shame not to see the Tomori of the early days anymore, when we wondered why Southgate didn’t call him up. But here he proved reliable enough. 6/10
Theo Hernandez: Surely the 4-2-4 suggests he shouldn’t go on the attack. He held his position, responded to Dumfries, but not much else. 6/10
Reijnders: Some anxiety at the beginning in a non-ideal position, as part of a duo. But then free running and creativity, broke down Inter and took the decisive free kick. 7/10
Fofana: A game of great utility in front of the defence. A rock in midfield without pretensions of playmaking. Now indispensable in this Milan. 6.5/10
Pulisic: He couldn’t maintain the initial rhythm for 90 minutes. But he spread panic among his rivals, including a spectacular goal, and when he cuts inside he does a lot of damage. 7/10
Morata: Nice game as a second striker moving all over the field, almost as a playmaker, drawing out defenders and creating some chances. 6.5/10
Leao: Someone with his class, his pace, his physique can’t go to waste like this. Out of the match for 45 minutes, when he “enters” he wastes everything. 5/10
Abraham: A game of total sacrifice in service of Morata and teammates. Few touches (24) but a lot of positional work. Starter. 6.5/10
Chukwueze: Enters at the end for Leao, helped in counterattacks against an Inter that was unbalanced. N/A
Okafor: Replaced Pulisic and had the easiest chance in the world to score the 3-1: even he doesn’t know how he missed a goal like that. 5.5/10
Loftus-Cheek: In for Morata, added to the attacking push. The difference is with Inter’s substitutes who never impact the game. 6/10
Pavlovic N/A
