The only Italian side to win in the Europa League demolished Ludogorets in Bulgaria, but who stood out in the Football Italia ratings?
Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6
Elected to punch instead of catching on a couple of occasions, flapped at one such cross and was lucky no one could cash in on the opportunity of an empty net. Was relieved when Dyakov’s shot smacked off the woodwork and back out.
Ignazio Abate – 5
The only Italian side to win in the Europa League demolished Ludogorets in Bulgaria, but who stood out in the Football Italia ratings?
Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6
Elected to punch instead of catching on a couple of occasions, flapped at one such cross and was lucky no one could cash in on the opportunity of an empty net. Was relieved when Dyakov’s shot smacked off the woodwork and back out.
Ignazio Abate – 5
Booked for a late lunge when beaten for pace inside the first five minutes of the game. Relied on an offside call to save him from a red card and a penalty kick. Replaced by Ricardo Rodriguez when Gattuso realised he was a liability, though that probably should’ve been before kick-off.
Leonardo Bonucci – 7
Is better defensively than he was at the start of the season, but he still hasn’t found that range of passing he had at Juventus.
Alessio Romagnoli – 7
Was Milan’s best defender on the night, snuffed out a lot of Ludogorets attacks down the right.
Davide Calabria – 6
Preferred to the more natural left-back Ricardo Rodriguez and did just alright, but has no left foot and struggled to get up the field in attack. Switched to the right when Abate went off.
Franck Kessie – 7
Worked tirelessly as per usual, but doesn’t get too much help from those around him.
Lucas Biglia – 6
Sat in front of the defence and mopped up any loose balls that came his way, held his position, but was harried and pressed whenever he had the ball.
Giacomo Bonaventura – 6
Fired Milan’s first decent chance over after making some space for himself in the box, then swung in the cross for Patrick Cutrone’s opener.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 6
Quiet first half from the Turkish International and deafeningly silent second.
Suso – 6
Never linked up with any of his teammates, ran the ball down blind alleyways and chose to shoot instead of pass.
Patrick Cutrone – 7
Was guilty of poor control on the rare occasions the ball found him before he headed in the first goal. But who needs perfect ball control when you know when to be in the right place to score? Won the penalty when his run inside the box was halted by a push in the back.
Substitutes:
Ricardo Rodriguez – 7
Fresh off the bench he stepped up and finished his penalty to make it 2-0.
Andre Silva – 6
Replaced Cutrone with 25 minutes to go and didn’t get much service.
Fabio Borini – 7
Came on for the last 15 minutes, gave the ball away a couple of times and won it back just as many. Scored the third goal with a neat finish right at the end.