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Napoli 2-2 AC Milan Player Ratings – Napoli produced an inspired second-half comeback to play out an action-packed 2-2 draw against AC Milan in a memorable Serie A clash at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona. Gli Azzurri looked down and out with a 2-0 deficit in the first half, but showcased great character to earn a point from this tough game.
Napoli headed into the match on a two-match winning streak, but saw that snapped by the Rossoneri. Rudi Garcia got his defensive set-piece wrong, as his backline was often completely exposed in the first half. However, his half-time team talk clearly motivated the players to claw out a result and improve the fans’ trust in him.
AC Milan totally dominated the show in the first half, racing to a quick 2-0 lead. But they failed to take their chances after that and dropped their intensity after the break, allowing Napoli to get back and take control of the game. This will sting for Stefano Pioli after seeing his side in such a cruising position after 30 minutes.
Olivier Giroud is the one everyone is talking about after his excellent brace in this game. He has now incidentally scored four goals in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium since joining AC Milan in 2021, marking the most he’s scored in a single opposition venue in Serie A.
Napoli 2-2 AC Milan Player Ratings
Contents
Timeline
2′ – Giroud’s goal-bound volley is deflected wide by Rrahmani.
19′ – Kalulu picks up an injury and has to be replaced early on.
22′ (Goal) – Giroud diverts Pulisic’s cross into the goal despite Meret getting a hand to it.
24′ – Maignan comes off his line and gets to the ball ahead of Politano to clear it out of danger.
27′ – Kvaratskhelia gets past his man to pick out Politano in the back post, but he can’t divert his shot onto the goal.
30′ – Rui goes for goal from a long way out and sees his attempt glide over the bar.
31′ (Goal) – Giroud’s header hits the posts and gets into the back of the net.
41′ – Hernandez cuts a pass back to Reijnders, who sees his attempt whisker over the bar.
45′ – Raspadori’s attempt from close range goes over.
45+4′ – Giroud tries an acrobatic effort and sees it easily saved.
50′ (Goal) – Politano brilliantly slips past Hernandez and blasts a left-footed shot into the goal.
57′ – Leao makes a great run into the middle but his cut-back can’t be converted by anyone.
60′ – Kvaratskhelia pounces on Maignan’s mistake, but his shot is deflected over for a corner.
63′ (Goal) – Raspadori bends a thunderous free-kick into the bottom right corner to equalize the game.
68′ – Leao’s powerful low shot is parried wide for a corner.
88′ – Natan is sent off after receiving his second yellow card.
90+1′ – Calabaria’s header from the back post hits the side-netting.
90+5′ – Kvaratskhelia gets the ball into the box and unleashes the final kick of the game, but sees it denied.
Star Man – Olivier Giroud – 9.5/10
Giroud put an end to a five-match goal drought in Serie A spectacularly by silencing the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona crowd with his early blitz. He got the better of both Amir Rrahmani and Natan from the early bits and got himself in all the right positions to capitalize on the defenders’ lapses in concentration.
The French striker scored two superb headers, showcasing excellent physicality in particular for the second goal. A menace in the opposition area, winning a lot of duels and always getting himself in all the right positions.
Olivier Giroud hasn’t scored a goal from open play for Milan since August 21st.
He now has TWO vs Napoli in the first half. Back to business 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/p9UhQtEioH
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) October 29, 2023
Linked up really smartly with the other forwards and bounced back strongly from the frustrating loss to PSG in mid-week. Surprisingly substituted in the second half, which rightfully infuriated him as he was so close to a hat trick.
Napoli Player Ratings
Alex Meret 4.5/10 – Failed to anticipate the power of Giroud’s headers and allowed one to scrape his fingers before going into the back of the net.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo 7.5/10 – Kept the dangerous Leao quiet and restricted Milan’s movement to his side. Produced a nice assist for Politano’s goal.
Amir Rrahmani 3/10 – Bullied by Giroud, losing track of him on both goals and being outmuscled for the second goal. Taken off at half-time.
Natan 3/10 – Bit too aggressive at times and could not do much to fix Napoli’s shaky defensive woes. Sent off towards the end for making too many fouls.
Mario Rui 4/10 – Got totally outwitted by Pulisic and both first-half goals originated through his side.
Stanislav Lobotka 4.5/10 – Allowed Milan to run through the central areas with ease and couldn’t protect his backline with conviction.
Piotr Zielinski 6/10 – Moved the ball forward efficiently and held his own in the feisty midfield battles.
Eljif Elmas 5/10 – Couldn’t create anything big and quite sloppy in losing a number of key battles.
Matteo Politano 8/10 – Missed in the sitter in the first half but made up with a superb strike to pull one back for Napoli. A menace with his movement too.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 7/10 – Caused uncertainty in the opposition backline with his trickery and drove his side forward on a number of occasions.
Giacomo Raspadori 7.5/10 – Persisted with his shots on goal and scored an amazing equalizer in the form of an exquisite free-kick.
Substitutes
Mathias Olivera 6/10 – Fortified Napoli’s left side and stopped the moves taking place from that side.
Leo Ostigard 7/10 – Definitely more convincing than Rrahmani and ensured Napoli didn’t concede in the second half.
Giovanni Simeone 6/10 – Added more energy to the frontline but was unable to create much.
Andre Anguissa 6.5/10 – Raised the spirits of his side’s midfield and won a few key battles.
Alessandro Zanoli – N/R
AC Milan Player Ratings
Mike Maignan 6/10 – A bit sloppy with his goalkeeping at times, but couldn’t do much to save either goal. Made a key save in added time.
Davide Calabria 7.5/10 – Assisted Giroud’s second with a pinpoint cross and dealt strongly against Kvaratskhelia, not allowing him any sight on goal apart from the last kick.
Fikayo Tomori 5/10 – Failed to maintain a sturdy backline in the second half and outwitted by Raspadori.
Pierre Kalulu – N/R
Theo Hernandez 5.5/10 – A menace on the left with his driving runs and saw his crosses create some half-chances. Given the run-around by Politano, being totally outwitted for Napoli’s first goal.
Rade Krunic 6.5/10 – A sturdy figure in midfield and won a number of key battles to frustrate the hosts.
Tijian Reijinders 6/10 – A positive energy in the middle, but was quite indecisive in the final third and couldn’t create that special something.
Yunus Musah 7/10 – Covered a lot of ground and was impressive with his pressing, winning possession back in key areas to kick-start counter-attacks.
Christian Pulisic 7.5/10 – Picked out an excellent cross for the opening goal. Created a number of chances and found teammates in empty space in the final third repeatedly.
Rafael Leao 5.5/10 – Leao made a few nice runs into the box, but lacked that lethality to his game.
Olivier Giroud 9.5/10 – Dealt two major early blows to Napoli with his excellent headers and tormented the defenders with his physicality.
Substitutes
Marco Pellegrino 5.5/10 – Made his debut for Milan, but looked shaky against the Napoli attacks and even got injured towards the end.
Luka Romero 5/10 – Failed to replace Pulisic’s heroics from the first half.
Luka Jovic 5/10 – Could not inspire the same output as Giroud.
Noah Okafor 5.5/10 – Made a few nice runs, but lacked authority in the final third.
Alessandro Florenzi – N/R
Napoli 2-2 AC Milan Player Ratings – The final word
Gli Azzurri really rode on the energy of their fans to get a result from this tricky game and will definitely be the happier side from this draw. AC Milan will consider it as two points dropped and a result that makes them fall behind Inter Milan in the Serie A title race.
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