Exhausted Rossoneri Held to Another Draw
In a captivating clash at the illustrious Stadio San Siro, Roma held an injury-plagued AC Milan to a 1-1 stalemate, leaving the Rossoneri grappled with frustration as they watch their aspirations for a top-four finish slip further away. Despite an early lead, Milan’s bid for glory was thwarted once again, underscoring a worrying trend in their Serie A campaign.
The Rossoneri entered the match on the back of a hard-fought victory against Hellas Verona, yet were dealt a significant blow with the loss of their talismanic winger, Rafael Leão, to injury. Manager Paulo Fonseca opted for an unconventional lineup, thrusting Alex Jimenez into the fray on the left flank amid a string of absentees. Nevertheless, the early minutes saw Milan seize control, showcasing their trademark attacking flair.
Tijjani Reijnders quickly made his mark, replicating his impressive form from the previous match. The Dutch midfielder netted the opener with a sublime finish, expertly assisted by Youssouf Fofana, who provided the creative spark that Milan so desperately needed.
However, Roma’s response was immediate and emphatic. A clever layoff by Artem Dovbyk found Paulo Dybala, whose thunderous volley left Mike Maignan with little chance. Milan could have reclaimed the lead on two separate occasions before the halftime whistle, but Samuel Chukwueze’s lack of composure in front of goal proved costly.
The situation soured further for Milan as Fonseca was controversially dismissed just before the interval. Chukwueze initially seemed like he could turn the tide, forcing Mile Svilar into a spectacular save early in the second half, but a muscle injury soon curtailed his effectiveness, which considerably diminished Milan’s attacking threat.
As the second half wore on, opportunities dwindled, and frustration mounted on the Milan bench. Such a disappointing outcome could very well foreshadow the end of Fonseca’s tumultuous tenure at the San Siro. Now, let’s delve into our Milan ratings.
Milan (4-2-3-1)
Mike Maignan – 6.5
Caught flat-footed on Dybala’s strike but made a remarkable late save to deny Stephan El Shaarawy, demonstrating why he’s a mainstay between the sticks.
Emerson Royal – 6
His contributions seemed limited to lateral passes or back to Chukwueze. While defensively resilient, his offensive output was lacking.
Matteo Gabbia – 6
Outmuscled by Dovbyk for Roma’s equalizer, Gabbia redeemed himself with a late booking that showed a willingness to sacrifice for the team.
Malick Thiaw – 5.5
His reckless play forced Milan into numerous tactical fouls, showcasing a lack of awareness and nearly incurring an early caution.
Theo Hernandez – 6
Aside from a stunning long-range effort early on, Hernandez failed to have an impact offensively but did his job defensively against Alexis Saelemaekers.
Filippo Terracciano – 6
Though he bolstered the backline, his contributions in attacking phases were virtually nonexistent, leading to a well-deserved halftime retreat.
Youssouf Fofana – 7
A pivotal figure in Milan’s offensive play, Fofana’s coast-to-coast run and precise assist for Reijnders marked one of his finest displays this season.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6.5
An excellent finish highlighted his performance; however, he faced challenges in receiving the support required from his teammates in attack.
Alejandro Jimenez – 5.5
Although his talent was occasionally on display, Jimenez struggled to consistently dismantle Saelemaekers’ defense and missed out on a potential assist due to Morata’s errant finish.
Samuel Chukwueze – 6.5
Despite being a constant menace on the right, his decisive passing in critical moments faltered, an unfortunate trend that hindered Milan’s attack.
Alvaro Morata – 4.5
Morata’s early miss unnerved him, resulting in a cascade of squandered opportunities during what can only be described as a dismal outing.
Substitutes
Ismael Bennacer – 6.5
Tammy Abraham – 5.5
Francesco Camarda – 4
