AC Milan 3 – 0 SSC Napoli, Italian Serie A player ratings – Part 1
Italian Serie A leaders, AC Milan, welcomed third placed SSC Napoli to Stadio San Siro last night. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Pato-c4901 scored for the Rossoneri as the game finished 3-0 in favour of the home side.
The author now rates the players based on their respective performances on the pitch.
AC Milan
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Abbiati-c9046 – 6
It was a pleasant surprise for the veteran goalkeeper who had an easy outing. The Partenopei took seven shots on the Daviolo goal, but failed to register even a single shot on target.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ignazio-Abate-c16673 – 7
The winger-turned-fullback has come a long way from being the liability that he was in the earlier part of this season. Abate had a good outing. Defensively sound and adventurous in attack, Abate was always a good outlet on the right wing for the Rossoneri.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Nesta-c4735 – 7
The legendary centre back, along with Thiago Silva, formed a two-man wall in front of the Rossoneri goal. However, having said that, it was an easy night for the Rossoneri defenders. Nesta will have to bring his A game when AC Milan face Juventus FC in their
next league fixture.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Silva-c34903 – 7.5
Silva vs. Cavani was being tipped as a clash of the titans by the media. However, it was a ‘no contest’ on the pitch. The Brazilian defender had Cavani jingling in his back pocket for the entire 90 minutes of the game – best centre back in the world?
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marek-Jankulovski-c23848 – 6.5
Jankulovski was in the Rossoneri starting eleven for the first time since May 2010, but that hardly showed. The Czech wing back started the game strongly, as he made frequent runs forward to help the attack. Owing much to his advanced years and lack of match
fitness, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 had him identified as the weak link in Milan’s defence, but the 33-year-old held his own.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gennaro-Gattuso-c14525 – 7
The perennial fan favourite is playing like a man possessed since the start of 2011. Gattuso continued with the good form and put in yet another impressive shift on the right of the three man midfield. However, he did tire in the finishing stages of the
game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mark-van-Bommel-c24148 – 7
It was an inspired January signing by Adriano Galliani. The Dutch midfield destroyer stood firm in front of the Rossoneri backline and completely dominated the midfield. His distribution was smart and tackles timely. The player must consider himself unlucky
to not have scored, as he was denied twice by a resilient Napoli back line.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mathieu-Flamini-c24685 – 6
The Frenchman is full of energy and tireless running but his finishing is that of a school kid. Flamini dominated the midfield but squandered two excellent goal scoring chances with wayward finishing.
Alexandre Pato – 8.5
It was a tale of two halves for the prodigiously talented attacker. Pato found little going his way in the first 45 minutes, but the second half completely belonged to the Brazilian. Pato won the penalty for the first goal, assisted Boateng for the second
and closed the scoring himself a wonderful curling effort. Man of the Match hands down.
Robinho – 5
It was a forgettable night for the former Manchester City forward. His passing was wayward, his shooting askew and his tricks always back fired. Robinho was justifiably substituted after Ibrahimovic’s goal, and the Brazilian can have no complaints.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029 – 7
Ibrahimovic produced yet another trademark fighting performance. The Rossoneri midfield failed him in the first half but Ibra got his reward early in the second half with an impeccable penalty. His goal aside, Ibrahimovic was a constant nuisance for the
Partenopei defence.
Substitutes:
Kevin-Prince Boateng – 7
Boateng made his second cameo appearance in as many games following his return from injury. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ghana-c2905 international was a huge improvement over a hapless Robinho. His goal in particular, showcased all of Boateng’s traits: tireless running, all-round passing
ability, dribbling skills and a clinical eye for goal. His availability in the Champions League will be a huge confidence boost for Massimiliano Allegri.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Urby-Emanuelson-c35731 – 5.5
The Dutch wing back replaced a tiring Jankulovski in the second half and produced a decent shift without being spectacular.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Massimo-Oddo-c24594 – 5
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 skipper made a cameo appearance after replacing Abate, but did not do anything impressive.
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