Home » AC Milan 2-0 Lazio: Things we learn and players rating

AC Milan 2-0 Lazio: Things we learn and players rating

AC Milan outclassed Lazio 2-0 at San Siro as Rossoneri made it three league wins in a row ahead of a crucial run of fixtures in October in all competitions.

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Rade Krunic and Malick Thiaw rested for different reasons; Stefano Pioli fielded a usual starting XI, with Yacine Adli getting his second consecutive start, while Simon Kjaer paired up with Tomori.

The first half was dull, but Milan pressed high up after the break, and around the hour mark, Christian Pulisic finished a brilliant sequence with a sensational left-foot volley to break the deadlock.

The American start grabbed three goals in seven matches for the Rossoneri, with a standing ovation chanting ‘Puli’ at San Siro. It was very well deserved!

Here’s the Christian Pulisic game winning goal with the proper Italian commentary. Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/WMD5EHeAJu

— Soccer Thoughts (@_SoccerThoughts) September 30, 2023

In the 88th minute, it was Leao again with the assist, this time for Noah Okafor, who came off the bench and got his second goal after scoring just days before against Cagliari, sealing the three points for his side. 

Here are things we learn and players rating after the victory.

Leao is the MOTM

With two crucial assists in the second half, the Portuguese winger proved he could deliver when his side needed him the most.

After the disappointing display against Newcastle, Leao has exploded, and he could carry the form when Milan face Dortmund in the Champions League this week.

Loftus-Cheek is out for the next two games.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek played so well before picking up an injury. The England international limped off in the first half.

Initial reports had said it was a groin issue, but these have been adjusted to suggest that he sustained an abdominal strain while twisting too quickly. The former Chelsea man will undoubtedly miss the next two games against Dortmund and Genoa.

This is a problem for Milan, who already miss Rade Krunic, Ismael Bennacer, Pierre Kalulu, and Mattia Caldara.

The importance of Tomori

Every Milan fan knew the derby against Inter would be a defense disaster show when Tomori was suspended.

Since the England defender returned, he has helped his team keep three clean sheets out of the last four games and has proven himself a leader at the back.

AC Milan's win % with & without Tomori since his debut for the Rossoneri 😳🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/8uIXVAhlMI

— LiveScore (@livescore) September 23, 2023

He works well with both Kjaer and Thiaw, and compared to last season, when he barely had a few good games in a row, the Englishman has been solid this time out, and the defense looks different without him in it.

The centre-back is still just 25 years of age, which means he has plenty of time to improve given his position, and he’ll be looking to continue this trend against Dortmund on Wednesday.

Players rating

Rafael Leao and Reijnders were the best Milan players on the pitch. The Dutchman missed some excellent chances in the first half, but he was everywhere on the pitch and proved even more crucial after Loftus-Cheek was forced off, just like Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao were also vital.

Fikayo Tomori, Yunus Musah, Alessandro Florenzi, and Noao Okafor were above average at 6.5, with the latter three all doing well off the bench. Mike Maignan, Davide Calabria, Theo Hernandez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Tommaso Pobega got a pass at 6.

Finally, Yacine Adli struggled to get on the ball in the first half especially and had a different success with his long balls, thus getting 5.5 just like Simon Kjaer. The Frenchman was named the flop of the match, in any case.