AC Milan Player Ratings vs Udinese: 7/10 For Kessie; Dismal Leao gets 4/10

AC Milan lose further grounds in the title race as they drop points at the San Siro after a 1-1 draw against Udinese.

It was a slow start to the game as both teams cancelled each other out in midfield in the opening minutes. Milan dominated possession as Udinese sat back and absorbed the pressure from the Rossoneri. The first chance of the game came in the 40th minute by Samu Castillejo’s inspirational run but his shot was saved well by Juan Musso.

After the restart, it was Udinese who created a great opportunity, as a poor back pass from Theo Hernandez was latched on to by Roberto Pereyra, his cross found Ilija Nesterovski but the header from the striker was cleared off the line by captain Alessio Romagnoli.

Couple of minutes later a brilliant run by Hernandez led to a long-range effort from substitute Soualiho Meite, which was saved well by Musso. The resulting corner almost led to a goal, as Franck Kessie’s header was brilliantly stopped by the Udinese keeper. The game suddenly looked more open with chances being created at a much quicker pace as compared to the first half.

Udinese still maintained a good defensive shape. The visitors took the lead in the 68th minute from a corner, as Rodrigo Becao’s header beat Gianluigi Donnarumma rather easily. Milan failed to create a clear goalscoring opportunity after conceding. However, the Rossoneri got a 95th-minute penalty, after a handball by Jens Stryger Larsen in Udinese’s box. The spot-kick was expertly taken by Franck Kessie.

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AC Milan will consider this as an opportunity missed to close the gap on leaders Inter Milan. Let us take a look at how Stefano Pioli’s men fared.

Gianluigi Donnarumma:  5/10

Was a passenger in the opening half as Udinese barely had a shot on his goal. But he was a fault for the opening goal as Becao’s header could have been saved rather easily.

Pierre Kalulu:  5/10

Was constantly in the opposition half and tried to link up with Castillejo but was unsuccessful. Subbed in 62^nd minute for Davide Calabria.

Simon Kjaer:  6.5/10

Dealt with Nestorovski easily as Udinese barely had any passing happening in the Milan half. Won most of the tackles and headers in the opening half. Made some crucial blocks in the second half. Was faultless at the goal conceded.

Alessio Romagnoli: 6/10

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It was an easy outing for the captain in the first 45 minutes as Udinese rarely initiated any attacks. Made a brilliant goal-line clearance early on in the second half to stop Udinese from taking the lead.

Theo Hernandez: 5.5/10

Bombed forward at every opportunity but constantly found the opposition with his passes. Failed to find his team-mates in the opposition box. Not his best performance.

Sandro Tonali:  4.5/10

Got plenty of time on the ball but still struggled to dictate the tempo in the opening half. Subbed at the break for Meite.

Franck Kessie: 7/10

Franck Kessié has now scored in each of his last three appearances for AC Milan.

⚽️ vs. Crvena Zvezda
⚽️ vs. Roma
⚽️ vs. Udinese

His 97th minute penalty rescues a point against Udinese. pic.twitter.com/WIknRQtZUg

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 3, 2021

Played some wonderful long passes from midfield and moved the ball quickly. Played in a deeper role in the second half but could not help in creating any goalscoring opportunities. Took his penalty in the dying embers of the game with calmness.

Samu Castillejo: 6/10

Struggled to impose himself early on but created the best chance of the game in the first half with a sparkly run from midfield. Was subbed in the second half for Alexis Saelemaekers.

Brahim Diaz:  6/10

His low centre of gravity enabled him to find that extra bit of space in the opposition half, as he was constantly fouled by Udinese players, but his final ball was not up to the mark. Subbed for Jens Petter Hauge in the 62nd minute.

Ante Rebic: 4.5/10

Could not get the better of Molina on the left-hand side as he showed sloppiness in possession. Moved into a central role in the second half and continued to struggle. Poor Performance from the Croatian.

Rafael Leao:  4/10

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Tasked with being the target-man, Leao was ineffective as he was easily subdued by Udinese’s defence. Another poor showing for Portuguese forward.

Substitutes

Soualiho Meite: 6/10

Came on at the break in place of Tonali, played in a more advance position but failed to create any sort of impact.

Jens Petter Hauge: 5.5/10

Subbed in for Brahim Diaz and struggled to have any kind of effect on the game.

Davide Calabria: 6.5/10

Came on for Kalulu and looked Milan’s most threatening attacker but he failed to make the most of the chances created.

Alexis Saelemaekers: N/A

Replaced Castillejo, but barely had any time on the ball to warrant a rating.