Milan Player Ratings: Milan 3-1 Celtic

After going through the qualifications, Milan started off their group stage journey with a match against Celtic. Celtic and AC Milan have met on numerous occasions in the past but this time it was a bit different. These weren't the legendary squads or familiar competition that the fans usually see these teams in. Milan came into the match riding high with a win against Inter Milan. Manager Stefano Pioli decided to give Rade Krunic the start in place of injured Hakan Calhanoglu. Other changes to the team saw both Brahim Diaz and Sandro Tonali start for Milan. For all of the first 45 minutes Milan dominated and dictated play. Milan only had two chances but that was all they needed as both Krunic and Diaz found the back of the net. 2-0 after 45 minutes.

The second half told a much different story as Milan were content to sit back and withstand the Celtic attack. Celtic saw more possession and more chances in the second half but none of their chances seemed threatening. However bad marking by Sandro Tonali saw Milan concede their only goal of the match. Celtic continued to fight for the goal to tie it up but they couldn't capitalize on the chances they had. Deep into injury time new singing Jans Petter Hauge scored his first goal in red and black. As the ref blew the whistle Milan came out victorious.

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STARTING LINE-UP

Gigio Donnarumma: Gigio didn't have much to do against Celtic but he was aggressive at picking up crosses and played well with the ball at his feet. 6/10

Diogo Dalot: An up and down debut for Dalot. Defensively he struggled with Diego Laxalt of all people but he looked better on the offensive end blasting in good crosses from the right side. I see some potential there. 6/10

Simon Kjaer: Kjaer is just an absolute brick wall. Nobody on Celtic got past him and he dominated their attackers. 7.5/10 (Man of the Match)

Alessio Romagnoli: After struggling at times in his return game vs Inter, Romagnoli turned the tide a little against Celtic. He looked more solid and sure of himself in this match. It also helps that the Celtic attackers aren't as powerful as Lukaku. 7/10

Theo Hernandez: Theo had a similar game to Dalot as he was good going forward but could have been better defensively. There were a few occasions that I saw the Celtic attackers go past Theo a bit too easily. 6/10

Sandro Tonali: Tonali struggled a bit to be honest. At times he passed it too quick and the Milan attackers don't even realize that they are receiving the ball. Other times it seemed like he was thinking too much as to where he should be and where to pass. Tonali will need time to adjust, plus he isn't used to European football yet. 5.5/10

Franck Kessie: I can't praise Franck enough and there are no more compliments to give him because I've used everything in the past. Just superb. 7.5/10

Samu Castillejo: Samu turned his from around a bit in this match as he had some better moments. His ball into Krunic for the first goal was almost perfect. Hopefully he continues this in an upward trajectory. 6.5/10

Rade Krunic: Like everyone else I questioned Pioli giving the start to Krunic but we shouldn't question Don Pioli. Krunic scored but in my opinion didn't offer a lot more after that. He always plays fine but nothing he does jumps off the screen. He is a low-key contributor. 6.5/10

Brahim Diaz: Diaz got another chance to shine this time against Celtic. He is probably one of the best dribbler on the Milan squad but the final piece is missing as he can't make that right pass just yet. Once Diaz finds the final piece of that puzzle watch out. 6.5/10

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: I’m gonna sound like a broken record but Zlatan’s impact on this team cannot be overstated. At times today he took the place of Calhanoglu and dropped deep to help the Milan midfield. 7/10

SUBSTITUTES

Rafael Leao: Leao had a decent amount of minutes to shine but nothing he did caught my attention. Once he came in he lost the majority of his arial duels and didn't offer much help to the attack. 5.5/10

Ismael Bennacer: Bennacer had some nice silky passes to go along with a few skill moves against Celtic. No questioning that he is a top talent. 6.5/10

Alexis Saelemaekers: Saelemaekers is proving the doubters wrong the more matches he plays. His work rate combined with a growing skill set is forming him into a nice little player. Oh and that pass too Hauge on the goal was perfection. 6.5/10

Jans Petter Hauge: Hauge scored his first goal for the Rossoneri and it was a fairly nice one at that. He held the defender off and kept his composure scoring to put the match away. 6.5/10