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Many thought the Chievo Verona game for AC Milan would be the game where Milan returned to form, instead it was another hard fought win against a well organized Chievo side. This win keeps Milan at 3rd place in the table and extends their winning to 5.
Full-time
— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 9, 2019
Three points: job done! 3⃣
Tre punti pesantissimi! ⚫️#ChievoMilan 1-2 pic.twitter.com/8t33TmLKKk
After a possession filled 30 minutes Lucas Biglia opened the scoring with a beautiful free kick placed perfectly in the top corner. Chievo answered just 10 minutes later off a header from Hetemaj. In the 57th minute Piatek scored a controversial goal that was heavily protested by the Cheivo players. Milan stood their ground for the rest of the game and pleased the numerous away fans in attendance.
AC Milan currently 4 points clear in third place ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/1pQ5LUe7P2
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) March 9, 2019
Time now to look at each players performance. Be sure to let us know your thoughts by commenting below.
STARTING LINE-UP
Gianluigi Donnarumma- Not much action for Donnarumma in this game, the few chances Cheivo had were either saved comfortably or put wide. It could be argued a better attempt could have been made on the goal from Chievo but he can not solely be blamed for the goal. 6.5/10
Andrea Conti- A lackluster performance for Conti in this fixture. This was Conti’s opportunity to show his worth and make a case to be a starter. Instead Conti struggled on both ends of the pitch not showing his quality on the offensive end and taking partial blame for Chievo’s goal. Conti is still getting back into the flow after his numerous injuries, hopefully we can chalk this performance up to rust. 5/10
Mateo Musacchio- Another week another fine performance from Mateo Musacchio. He was fairly solid not letting much past him in the few chances Chievo had. Musacchio continues to play up to standards on the Milan defence. It will be interesting to see if he continues his solid run against Inter. 6.5/10
Alessio Romagnoli- Again Romagnoli continues to show why he is one of the best defenders in the Italian league. Not letting any Cheivo players gets past him Romagnoli led the line in a Milan defence that let very few chances through. The captain even came close to scoring after he got a slight touch off a Calhanoglu free kick that sailed just wide. 7/10
After the final whistle at the Bentegodi stadium, Luigi Riccio and Alessio Romagnoli spoke to Milan TV about the #ChievoMilan game. Here's what they had to say https://t.co/SQGsG5XOiO pic.twitter.com/JSWyCF6xxj
— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 9, 2019
Diego Laxalt- Similar to Musacchio, Laxalt had another fine performance. Playing solid defence and at times making good supporting runs. Laxalt continues to remain a solid option coming off the bench at either the left back or left wing position. 6.5/10
Lucas Paqueta- This was Paqueta’s worst performance in a Milan uniform thus far. He looked tired and continually got disposed in the middle of the pitch. In this game we didn't see the usual flair and creativity he plays with. This hampered Milan and forced them to sub him out for Hakan Calhanoglu. 5/10
Lucas Biglia- In his first start since returning from injury Biglia was a calming influence in the midfield. Biglia played great cutting passing lanes and making crucial tackles when needed. Surprisingly the highlight of the match came from Biglia when he perfectly placed a free kick in the top corner leaving Chievo’s goalie completely still. 7.5/10
WHAT A FREEKICK BY BIGLIA!! TOP CORNER pic.twitter.com/lYuTU8k4UB
— TheMilanBible (@TheMilanBible) March 9, 2019
Frank Kessie- Kessie was quiet in this game but still showed how important his presence is in our midfield. He won tackles but also gave the ball away a few times which allowed Chievo to counter quickly. Kessie had a few opportunities to score, he even had a chance to put the game away late but failed to convert. 6.5/10
Suso- Again Suso puts in a mediocre offensive performance. He did not create much offensively but it was improved from what we have seen in previous weeks. Defensively Suso was great getting the most tackles on the team and backing up the comments made by Andrea Conti earlier in the week. 6/10
As Conti said: "If we defend so well it's also because of him (Suso)"
— Milan Eye (@MilanEye) March 9, 2019
Most tackles Vs Chievo: 3
3 Key passes
2 Dribbles
88.2% Passing rate
3/4 accurate Long passes
2/3 accurate crosses
He now has a total of 80 key passes this season.
Nothing haters can do about it. pic.twitter.com/8lVoBjbVIF
Krzysztof Piatek- Il pistolero scores again for Milan. Scoring a controversial goal in the 57th minute Piatek comes up clutch when he is most needed. Providing little service for most of the match Piatek battled with the Cheivo defence fighting for a shot at a goal. This goal now gives him 19 making it a three way tie with Ronaldo and Quagliarella for capocannoniere (leading goal scorer) 6.5/10
PIATEK IS BACK WITH A BANG!! pic.twitter.com/5ZWeM3BGYe
— TheMilanBible (@TheMilanBible) March 9, 2019
Samu Castillejo- Putting in another good performance Castillejo is making a case to be in the starting line-up. He continues to impress with his work rate on both the offensive and defensive end. Creating opportunities for others and eventually assisting on Piatek’s goal, we could be seeing more of Castillejo in the future. 7/10
SUBTITUTES
Hakan Calhanoglu- Coming on for a struggling Lucas Paqueta, Calhanoglu brought an injection of energy into the midfield. Creative from the very first minute he came on Calhanoglu created chances and allowed Milan to be more flexible in their formation. It could be interesting to see if Gattuso decides to use Calhanoglu more inside with the improved play of Castillejo on the win. 6.5/10
Davide Calabria- Another substitution that was made for a struggling player Calabria came in and was once again solid. Once Calabria came in the right side of the field solidified and there were no opportunities created by Cheivo. Calabria continues to impress and continues to improve with each performance. 6.5/10
Fabio Borini- Coming on in the 84th minute Borini did not have much time to make an impact in the game. Borini did what he usually does in games, running back and defending well. 5.5/10
Post match celebration in front of the Curva Sud ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/jgcYr2O1wk
— Milan Eye (@MilanEye) March 10, 2019