Jens Petter Hauge was the only positive, as AC Milan dropped further points with a 1-1 draw against Sampdoria at San Siro on Saturday.
Sampdoria were the better of the two sides in the first half, with AC Milan failing to muster up a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. On the opposite end, Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into a couple of decent stops. Post the interval, the Rossoneri were much-improved but were up against it just 12 minutes in.
Theo Hernandez gifted the ball to Fabio Quagliarella, who gleefully pounced and scored from long range, with Donnarumma having no chance to save the effort. A couple of minutes later, Milan were handed a way back into the game when Adrien Silva was sent off for a second bookable offence.
However, the hosts could only slog without really troubling Emil Audero for the most part until the dying moments of the game, when the moves started flowing. This is when Jens Petter Hauge found the back of the net, rescuing a point for Milan with a fine finish. However, the Rossoneri suffered another blow in their Serie A title challenge and The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Stefano Pioli’s men.
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 6/10
Donnarumma made a couple of fine stops in the first half to keep Sampdoria at bay, but could not have done anything to deny Fabio Quagliarella after being sold short by Theo Hernandez. Misplaced just three of the 32 passes he attempted.
Alexis Saelemaekers: 5/10
A shocking selection in the right-back slot ahead of Pierre Kalulu and Diogo Dalot, but what was not shocking was his performance as he was unsurprisingly caught like a deer in headlights. Was unsure of his positioning and did not really manage to become an outlet down the right flank. Has to be picked higher up the pitch.
Simon Kjaer: 6/10
The AC Milan defenders were not really put under pressure by Sampdoria for the most part, with Kjaer holding the fort well at the heart of the backline. Made 4 clearances while winning each of the aerial duels he contested (2/2).
Fikayo Tomori: 6/10
Tomori did not really put a foot wrong, although there were a few nervy moments in the first half. Cleared the ball out of danger numerous times and won 5 duels in the game. Job well done.
Theo Hernandez: 4/10
The big reason why AC Milan dropped points on Saturday, Hernandez inexplicably gave the ball away to Quagliarella, with the veteran striker converting his misplaced pass with a fine finish. Was a menace when he embarked on his runs, although he could not do much in way of chance creation.
What a howler from Theo Hernandez and Quagliarella punishes Milan! ?
A beautiful finish by Sampdoria's veteran striker ? pic.twitter.com/bRhl94HwX1
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) April 3, 2021
Ismael Bennacer: 5/10
Bennacer has struggled to hit the heights of the first half of the season since returning from injury and this performance was another indication of the same. Lost the ball under pressure a few times and did not really progress it well when AC Milan needed to put Sampdoria under the cosh. Sandro Tonali is now breathing down his neck.
Franck Kessie: 6/10
One of the few starters who did reasonably well, although Kessie was still off his best. The Ivorian saw a lot of the ball and utilised it well, but was a bit passive in moving play forward at times. Came within whiskers of scoring late on but was denied by the woodwork. Even when he is not at his best, Kessie manages to stand out in this AC Milan side.
Samu Castillejo: 4/10
With every passing game, it is starting to become clear that Castillejo cannot really remain a regular in the AC Milan first-team setup. The Spaniard did not play a single key pass and did not manage to get into scoring positions once either. Does put in the hard yards off the ball, but his output on it leaves a lot to be desired.
Hakan Calhanoglu: 5.5/10
Not the best of displays by Calhanoglu, who was the Player to Watch in our Preview. The Turkish international hardly created the openings that were needed to put the Sampdoria defence under pressure, although he was not really helped by the poor movement ahead of him. Has to be doing better, though.
Rade Krunic: 5/10
Krunic did not really waste the passes that he attempted, but he was barely involved for AC Milan, with much of the moves being built up through the central areas. Will surely be replaced in the starting lineup in the next game.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 5/10
Ibrahimovic did well to make a focal point of himself, but he was sloppy in possession and strayed offside a bit too many times. Lost possession 14 times and hardly ever managed to aim a shot at the Sampdoria goal. A surprisingly poor display, this.
SUBSTITUTES
Hauge’s late goal saves a point for @acmilan ⌚ pic.twitter.com/dhZvLLnKqA
— 433 (@433) April 3, 2021
Pierre Kalulu: 6/10
An upgrade over Saelemaekers, although Kalulu was not really put to the sword by Sampdoria after they grabbed the lead. Hardly carried a threat when charging down the right flank.
Sandro Tonali: 6/10
On for Bennacer, Tonali’s introduction gave Milan more control in the middle of the park, with the youngster misplacing just four passes while always looking to move the hosts forward. Played a couple of key passes and could be in line for a start next time around.
Ante Rebic: 5/10
On for Krunic, Rebic carried some threat in the final third, albeit without much in way of end product. Also appeared to become more passive with every passing minute and needs to do better.
Jens Petter Hauge: 7/10
The only bright spot for AC Milan, Hauge saved a point against Sampdoria with a composed finish. That was his only effort after coming on for Castillejo. Job well done.
