Milan First Half Report Card 2018/19

Here is my review for Milan at the half way point in the season. I delayed the article so I could factor in the Coppa and Super Coppa games. I am only rating players who played at least 500 minutes in the league and/or over 150 minutes in Europe.

After 19 rounds, AC Milan sit in 5th spot accumulating 31 points despite the fact that they could have achieved many more points. Milan were disqualified from the Europa League after a loss in Greece and have made it to the Quarter Finals of the Coppa Italia.

GOALKEEPERS

Gianluigi Donnarumma - A-

Donnarumma got off to a rough start in the season but recovered well and put in very strong performances that allowed Milan to get through their difficult stretch of draws. Donnarumma has improved his passing and his composure whilst maintaining his reflex saves and his towering presence. He is clearly finding his balance.

Pepe Reina - C

Reina put in decent performances in Europe but failed to come up big against Olympiacos. He demonstrated his experience in the fantastic performance against Sampdoria in the Coppa.

WINGBACKS

Ricardo Rodriguez - B+

Rodriguez has been one of the most consistent performers for Milan over the course of the season. He has been one of the few players driving Milan’s counter attacks and has been a calming presence key to Gattuso’s possession play. It has been a while since Milan had some stability at the LB position and Rodriguez seems to have the spot locked down.

Davide Calabria - B

Calabria has done well this season in a team lacking creativity and attacking drive. Calabria has always integral to the functioning of the right wing supporting Suso and Kessie as well as delivering crosses.

Ignazio Abate - C-

Abate played an important role covering for the injuries at RB and CB during the season. He put in good shifts at CB but has not looked up to the task at RB.

Diego Laxalt - D

Laxalt has been one of Gattuso’s go to subs but has not really impressed. He is quick and energetic but lacks in defensive contribution and his delivery in the final third tends to be sloppy.

CENTREBACKS

Alessio Romagnoli - A-

Romagnoli begun the season as the new Captain and has done an admirable job. Romagnoli scored some key goals gaining critical points and has been solid as ever in defence apart from a few mistakes here and there. He has performed best in his man management on the pitch controlling players like Higuain after fights and confronting the referees to protect his players.

Cristian Zapata - B-

Zapata has been one of Milan’s under-appreciated performers this season. He stepped in admirably at CB during the injury crisis and has been a fantastic cover when called upon. He has been commanding and is likely to still play an important role.

Mateo Musacchio - C

Musacchio received his long awaited opportunity to be a starter and got off to an average start. He and Romagnoli struggled to keep clean sheets and Musacchio was partly to blame for getting continually caught out of position.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS

Tiemoue Bakayoko - B

Bakayoko has been a revelation this season. He begun a with some nightmare performances where he could not pull off simple passes but now he is the prime distributor in the midfield. Bakayoko’s allure has come largely from his ability to pick the pockets of players, put in hard tackles and make interceptions. He is making a strong case to be redeemed this summer.

Lucas Biglia - B

Biglia got off to a flying start to the season but this was interrupted by injury. He was looking comfortable in the regista role and was controlling the flow of the play well.

MIDFIELDERS

Franck Kessie - B-

Kessie has been integral to the team similarly to the role he played last year. He mimics a box-to-box midfielder but has been a little lacking with his passing, decision making and his finishing. Despite this Kessie plays an important role balancing out the squad playing a supporting role with the attackers and the defenders.

Giacomo Bonaventura - C+

Bonaventura always looked lethargic on the ball this season, he played average by his usual standards despite getting some early goals. He was held up with injury and his season is over but hopefully he returns stronger next year.

WINGERS

Suso - B-

Suso has been very influential for Milan racking up lots of assists and a few goals in the process. Suso has struggled with shaking up his game and has been figured out by some defences. Suso desperately needs some support in creating chances as well as someone to take focus off him to allow for more space.

Hakan Calhanoglu - C-

Hakan has had a rough season so far. He has struggled to find form and does not seem to have clarity on his role. Despite this he has created a fair amount of opportunities and looks to be improving since Paqueta’s arrival.

Samu Castillejo - D

Castillejo has struggled to demonstrate his skills at Milan thus far. He has the talent, the speed but he keeps getting pushed around and does not have the time to effectively execute his ideas.

STRIKERS

Patrick Cutrone - B-

Cutrone is the heart and soul of the current Milan squad. He is a cult hero after just one season and is one of the few players who has the ability to motivate the team and uplift the fans. Cutrone has hit the target 9 times so far and can hopefully hit 20 goals overall again.

Gonzalo Higuain - C

Higuain has looked frustrated every single moment in a Milan shirt. He has scored a decent amount considering the poor service however his body language and attitude have been problematic. He seems to be on his way out so hopefully he can be replaced with a player of equal, or greater, quality.