UEFA Champions League player ratings: AJ Auxerre 0 – AC Milan 2 (Part 2)
AC Milan
Christian Abbiati – 6
Rossoneri custodian was hardly troubled but dealt confidently when tested from a range. However, his inability to deal with crosses continues to be a worry for Massimiliano Allegri.
Ignazio Abate – 6.5
Much maligned wing back put in one of his better performances of the season. Where he was adventurous going forward, his defensive play was equally impressive.
Alessandro Nesta – 7.5
The evergreen legend continues to belie his age with breathtaking performances and indeed he was the standout performer once again. Alongside a younger Thiago Silva, Nesta was a wall of steel and hardly gave an inch of space to the AJA forwards
Thiago Silva – 7.5
Debates over Thiago Silva’s world-class status have been put to bed this season. On current form, the Brazilian is arguably the best defender in Europe and that was evident last night. Silva managed to bail out his more illustrious defensive partner on one
occasion – a huge testament to his prodigious ability.
Gianluca Zambrotta -6
Zambrotta is clearly past his best, as has been the case for the past two seasons. His galloping runs forward are too rare a sight and last night was no different. To his credit however, he was steady at the back.
Gennaro Ivan Gattuso - 6
Davioli fan favourite has rediscovered some of his lost legs this seasons and it was yet another energetic display from the veteran. Ringhinho kept Oliech under check without doing anything spectacular.
Massimo Ambrosini -6
In yet another workmanlike performance, Ambrosini covered every blade of grass harassing the opposition. However, he failed to contribute to the attack and received a yellow card for his overzealous tackles.
Mathieu Flamini -6
Flamini did his first team chances no harm with another performance full of running. Allegri has preferred Flamini’s steel over Pirlo’s silk and the move has paid dividends so far.
Clarence Seedorf - 6
Seedorf has been rejuvenated in the trequartista role under Allegri. Even though Seedorf failed to truly impose himself on the game last night, his experience and passing range was still an asset.
Robinho – 7.5
Allegri has put his faith in the Robinho’s abilities and the Brazilian has not disappointed. Robinho compliments Ibra perfectly with his running the channels and the two are forming a deadly understanding with each passing game.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 8
‘Ibracadabra’ was the Hero for Milan once again with a man of the match performance. Ibrahimovic was the difference between the two sides as he turned up with rocket of a shot that left Sorin rooted to the spot. Ibra has scored in the last four games for
Rossoneri and one is left to wonder just how Allegri will cope should the Swede get sidelines with a length injury.
Substitutes:
Kevin-Prince Boateng – 5.5
Prince joined the proceedings late in the second half to give a new dimension to the Milan attack but was largely ineffective.
Rodney Strasser - 5
The youngster was given just a few minutes as some much needed European exposure.
Ronaldinho - 7
Ronnie just spent five minutes on the pitch but even those rare minutes were enough for the wizard to weave his magic. The former Barca ace scored a beautiful goal in the injury time that underlines his intelligence.
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