Milan Player Ratings: Milan 2-0 Shamrock Rovers

AC Milan are officially back with their Europa League qualifying match against Shamrock Rovers. Many Milan fans were looking forward to see if Milan could continue their great run of form post Covid lockdown. To be honest I have no clue how the match started because the Milan app didn't seem to have a working stream. However, some magic was worked and I was able to watch the match. From what I saw the first half had its moments for both teams. Milan capitalized on one of their chances as Zlatan Ibrahimovic found the back of the net.

The beginning of the second half had similar patterns to the first with both teams having chances at scoring. In parts of the match Milan took over Shamrock and flat out denied them possession. Milan had chances but they just couldn't find the back of the net. Then Hakan Calhanoglu blasted a shot in the back of the net to give Milan a 2 goal lead. Shamrock gave Milan some scared but in the end Milan finished with the win and the clean sheet.

STARTING LINE-UP

Gigio Donnarumma: I didn't think Gigio would have a lot to do but he was called upon on some occasions and of course he delivered. 7/10

Davide Calabria: Ever since the Milan players have comeback Calabria has looked in good form. He has been more active in attack and his defence is solid. 6.5/10

Simon Kjaer: The calmness of Simon Kjaer is something Milan has been missing at the back. I hope Kjaer continues his solid play and stays healthy throughout the year. 6.3/10

Matteo Gabbia: Gabbia was a tad shaky against Shamrock. He had moments where he got beat too easily which led to scoring chances. Gabbia is still young and needs time to develop. 6/10

Theo Hernandez: Going froward Theo was dangerous had a few chances to score. His runs put pressure on the Shamrock defence but nothing came out of it. Defensively he had some mental lapses but ultimately nothing cost them. 6.3/10

Ismael Bennacer: Bennacer had some moments to forget in this match. Too many times he gave the ball away easily to the Shamrock defenders. Though I will say that this improved as the match went on. 6/10

Franck Kessie: The Shamrock defenders didn't know what they were running into when they met Kessie. Everyone he came into contact with just bounced off him like a rag doll. 6.5/10

Samu Castillejo: Before this matched I believed that Samu could guide us into the season as a starter. Now, I believe it is a position of need. Samu is to wasteful in the attack and he needs to show that pace that we heard about when Milan purchased him.

Hakan Calhanoglu: Calhanoglu was my man of the match today. He was everywhere on the pitch and contributed a goal and assist in the win. 7/10

Alexis Saelemaekers: Now if I thought Samu was wasteful then Saelemaekers was worse. I know this was an emergency sub but I can't but help to think if we had Rebic and Leao what the score would have been. 5.5/10

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Truly the ageless wonder, Zlatan contributes another goal for Milan. He is just so impactful on this Milan team. 6.9/10

SUBSTITUTES

Rade Krunic: Krunic came in on the left side and Stefano Pioli seemed to tell him to stay back and that is exactly what he did. He helped out on defence to secure the win. 6/10

Brahim Diaz: Brahim didn't get a lot of minutes but in those few minutes he showed some nice flashes of skill dribbling past defenders. 6/10

Sandro Tonali: Just like Brahim, Tonali had few minutes to shine. In a few occasions he looked to be too relaxed on the ball but other that that he was positioned well. 6/10