Saturday afternoon, AC Milan held a 1-1 draw by Sampdoria because they gave city rivals Inter the chance to settle for nine clear points in the Series A.
The hosts appeared to be suffering from a sloppy, slow and difficult international haven. It was only Sampdoria who threatened to crack the deadlock and in the first 45 recorded the only shots.
before the break, Gianle Donnarumma, including a large reaction stop from the header of Morten Thorsby, had been pulled through the three nice savings.
The guests finally opened the opening on 58 minutes when, with a first attempt from about 30 metres away, Fabio Quaglierella tied up a lost Theo Hernandez run.
But their momentum stopped only two minutes later when Adrien Silva won a second yellow card for a sloppy Hakan Calhanoglu defect. In the 87th minute, when Frank Kessie discovered a replacement Jens Petter Hauge who remained poised and caressed the ball with joy, the Rossoneri pushed for an equaliser and managed to take their advantage.
Milan continued to go ahead and could have won in a 93rd minute, but only from around 12 metres could Kessie reach the post. However, before the final whistle, the ten men from Sampdoria denounce the Rossoneri to an event of 1:1, where they saw loss more ground in the Title A Series race.
AC Milan player ratings
1. MIDFIELDERS
Ismael Bennacer (CM) – 5/10 – Neat and tidy on the ball but failed to do much in a creative sense. Was tenacious in winning the ball back but failed to read the play and was bypassed a little too easily at times.
Frank Kessie (CM) – 6/10 – Did a good job covering for his attacking full-backs, often plugging gaps and driving the ball up the field with 85% pass accuracy. Grabbed the assist for the late equaliser and should have won it in stoppage time but was denied by the upright.
Hakan Calhanoglu (AM) – 5/10 – Managed to float around and pick out pockets of space really well, but moves seemed to break down with him. He was too slow to move the ball and lost possession five times throughout. Did get the assist.
2.GOALKEEPER & DEFENDERS
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) – 7/10 – Made several impressive and crucial stops throughout and really had no chance with the goal. Could’ve been a lot worse without him.
Alexis Saelemaekers (RB) – 4/10 – A good threat going forward but his lack of defensive instinct was showing. Left so much space in behind and was constantly wrong side of Mikkel Damsgaard, getting a yellow card before being hooked at the break.
Simon Kjaer (CB) – 8/10 – Covered his full-back well and made seven important interventions as Sampdoria looked to exploit that channel.
Fikayo Tomori (CB) – 8/10 – A very solid and mature defensive showing. Always occupied the perfect position to defend crosses, making three clearances and three ball recoveries.
Theo Hernandez (LB) – 5/10 – Made several surging runs forward and looked one of Milan’s biggest threats. Was, unfortunately, at fault for the opening goal with a terribly sloppy pass.
3. FORWARDS
Samuel Castillejo (RW) – 5/10 – Great energy in both offensive and defensive work. Showed great tenacity and will to impact proceedings but just didn’t manage to put his mark on the game.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (ST) – 6/10 – Dropped deep to link play up, often bringing in and releasing teammates well, and was integral to the equalizer as he drove forward with the ball.
Rade Krunic (LW) – 3/10 – There isn’t much to be said about the Bosnian’s performance; he was utterly absent.
4. SUBSTITUTES
Pierre Kalulu (RB) – 5/10 – Didn’t do much wrong at the back, but was a little lacking with his delivery, failing to put in one accurate cross.
Sandro Tonalo (CM) – 6/10 – Injected a creative spark and urgency after coming on, looking to pierce the lines with his passing and registering his side’s first key pass of the game around the 65-minute mark.
Ante Rebic (ST) – 6/10 – Moved his opposition around a bit but couldn’t provide a clinical edge for his side.
Jens Petter Hauge (LW) – 7/10 – Looked threatening as soon as he was introduced and finished beautifully to equalise late on.
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