Juventus 1-1 AC Milan: Player ratings as Italian giants play out entertaining draw
Ante Rebic grabbed a second half equaliser to peg back Juventus at Allianz Stadium on Sunday evening. Alvaro Morata had given Juve an early lead, but Milan grew into the game to earn a deserved point.
Juventus quickly went ahead in astonishing fashion. The goal came straight from a Milan corner in the fourth minute, with Paulo Dybala slipping the ball through to a completely unmarked Morata inside the Juve half before the Spaniard burst clean through on goal and chipped the ball over Mike Maignan.
The early goal rattled Milan, who struggled to regain their shape and composure thereafter. La Vecchia Signora pressed forward with real intent throughout the rest of the first half hour, with Morata and Dybala leading the charge and almost adding to Juve's tally.
Milan started to find their feet near the end of the first half through Alexis Saelemaekers and the brilliant Brahim Diaz, but lacked a real focal point to trouble Juve.
The second half proceeded in much the same way. Juventus continued to look quite calm when out of possession, and deadly on the counter-attack when in possession.
And then, out of nowhere, Milan went and equalised. Ante Rebic brilliantly headed home from a Sandro Tonali corner to make it 1-1 in the 75th minute.
Milan's goal rattled the home side, so much so that the Rossoneri were much the better side in the final 15 minutes. Kalulu almost bagged a winner late, but was denied by an insanely good save from Wojciech Szczesny, who tipped his effort from the right of the penalty area just over the crossbar.
Here are your player ratings from Turin...
Juventus player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - 6/10 - For a change, the goal conceded wasn't his fault. He then made an terrific save to deny Kalulu late.
Danilo (RB) - 6/10 - Defended well against Leao when, on the rare occasion, the Brazilian actually got the ball.
Giorgio Chiellini (CB) - 6/10 - Solid game for Chiellini, but he'll be disappointed his side conceded from a set piece.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - 6/10 - Passing was as exceptional as usual.
Alex Sandro (LB) - 5/10 - Decent outing for Sandro, who dealt with the threat out wide well.
2. Midfielders
Juan Cuadrado (RM) - 6/10 - Been the most consistent performer at the club over the last three or four seasons. Continued that good work on Sunday evening.
Manuel Locatelli (CM) - 5/10 - Beaten by Rebic in the air for the equaliser.
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - 7/10 - Very, very busy in the middle of the park, completely nullifying Franck Kessie.
Adrien Rabiot (LM) - 6/10 - When he actually runs, Rabiot looks like a decent footballer. He actually ran tonight for a change. He should do that more often.
3. Forwards
Alvaro Morata (ST) - 8/10 - Scored a wonderful goal in the fourth minute, steaming through and dinking the ball over the keeper.
Paulo Dybala (ST) - 8/10 - Best player on the pitch in the first half. Assisted the opener and terrorised Milan all night; as he always does.
4. Substitutes
Moise Kean - 5/10 - Quiet night after replacing Morata.
Federico Chiesa - N/A.
Dejan Kulusevski - N/A.
Milan player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Mike Maignan (GK) - 6/10 - Could do nothing about the opener, but made a great save to deny Dybala.
Fikayo Tomori (RB) - 7/10 - Made a fantastic tackle on Rabiot to quell a very threatening attack on the half-hour mark. Looked pretty damn good after that too.
Simon Kjaer (CB) - N/A - Came off injured in the first half, which yes, is a disaster for Milan if he's out long term.
Alessio Romagnoli (CB) - 4/10 - Really struggled to deal with Dybala's movement.
Theo Hernandez (LB) - 5/10 - Disappointing against Juventus again. Effective against all other 19 Serie A teams, but not Juve for some reason.
6. Midfielders
Sandro Tonali (CM) - 7/10 - Decent outing, and brilliant assist for the equaliser.
Franck Kessie (CM) - 3/10 - Not at the races. We'll leave it at that.
Brahim Diaz (CAM) - 5/10 - Found pockets of space in between Juve's defence and midfield really well... pity he didn't do anything with the ball when he found them, though.
7. Forwards
Alexis Saelemaekers (RW) - 5/10 - Found some joy up against Alex Sandro in the first half, but just didn't get the ball at all in the second.
Ante Rebic (ST) - 8/10 - Brilliant headed equaliser.
Rafa Leao (LW) - 6/10 - Showed the odd glimpse of his quality. Emphasis on 'odd'.
8. Substitutes
Pierre Kalulu - 6/10 - Busy, and was denied the winner late by a superb bit of goalkeeping.
Ismael Bennacer - 7/10 - Made a difference in Milan's midfield.
Alessandro Florenzi - 6/10 - Grizzled old veteran. Exactly what this inexperienced team need.
Daniel Maldini - N/A.