Milan 1-1 Sampdoria: Player ratings as Rossoneri lose more ground in race for Scudetto

AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Sampdoria on Saturday afternoon, as they give city rivals Inter the opportunity to move nine points clear at the top of Serie A.

The hosts seemed to be suffering form an international hangover, looking sloppy, slow and struggling to get into the game. Only Sampdoria threatened to break the deadlock, registering the only shots on target in the first 45. Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into three good saves before the break, including a great reaction stop from Morten Thorsby's header.

The visitors eventually got the opener on 58 minutes when Fabio Quaglierella latched onto a misplaced Theo Hernandez pass and sensationally lobbed Donnarumma with a first-time effort from around 30 yards out.

Their momentum, however, was halted exactly two minutes later when Adrien Silva earned himself a second yellow card for a reckless foul on Hakan Calhanoglu. The Rossoneri pressed for an equaliser and managed to make their one-man advantage count in the 87th minute when Frank Kessie found substitute Jens Petter Hauge, who stayed composed and delightfully caressed the ball into the far corner.

Milan carried on pressing forward and should have won it in the 93rd minute, but Kessie could only hit the post from around 12 yards out. The ten men of Sampdoria held on until the final whistle, though, condemning the Rossoneri to a 1-1 draw that sees them lose more ground in the Serie A title race.

Now, let's get to the player ratings.

AC Milan player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) - 7/10 - Made several impressive and crucial stops throughout and really had no chance with the goal. Could've been a lot worse without him.

Alexis Saelemaekers (RB) - 4/10 - A good threat going forward but his lack of defensive instinct was showing. Left so much space in behind and was constantly wrong side of Mikkel Damsgaard, getting a yellow card before being hooked at the break.

Simon Kjaer (CB) - 8/10 - Covered his full-back well and made seven important interventions as Sampdoria looked to exploit that channel.

Fikayo Tomori (CB) - 8/10 - A very solid and mature defensive showing. Always occupied the perfect position to defend crosses, making three clearances and three ball recoveries.

Theo Hernandez (LB) - 5/10 - Made several surging runs forward and looked one of Milan's biggest threats. Was, unfortunately, at fault for the opening goal with a terribly sloppy pass.

2. Midfielders

Ismael Bennacer (CM) - 5/10 - Neat and tidy on the ball but failed to do much in a creative sense. Was tenacious in winning the ball back but failed to read the play and was bypassed a little too easily at times.

Frank Kessie (CM) - 6/10 - Did a good job covering for his attacking full-backs, often plugging gaps and driving the ball up the field with 85% pass accuracy. Grabbed the assist for the late equaliser and should have won it in stoppage time but was denied by the upright.

Hakan Calhanoglu (AM) - 5/10 - Managed to float around and pick out pockets of space really well, but moves seemed to break down with him. He was too slow to move the ball and lost possession five times throughout. Did get the assist.

3. Forwards

Samuel Castillejo (RW) - 5/10 - Great energy in both offensive and defensive work. Showed great tenacity and will to impact proceedings but just didn't manage to put his mark on the game.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (ST) - 6/10 - Dropped deep to link play up, often bringing in and releasing teammates well and was integral to the equaliser as he drove forward with the ball.

Rade Krunic (LW) - 3/10 - There isn't much to be said about the Bosnian's performance; he was utterly absent.

4. Substitutes

Pierre Kalulu (RB) - 5/10 - Didn't do much wrong at the back, but was a little lacking with his delivery, failing to put in one accurate cross.

Sandro Tonalo (CM) - 6/10 - Injected a creative spark and urgency after coming on, looking to pierce the lines with his passing and registering his side's first key pass of the game around the 65-minute mark.

Ante Rebic (ST) - 6/10 - Moved his opposition around a bit but couldn't provide a clinical edge for his side.

Jens Petter Hauge (LW) - 7/10 - Looked threatening as soon as he was introduced and finished beautifully to equalise late on.