Real Madrid vs. AC Milan: Player Ratings - A Tale of Two Halves
The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed a clash of titans as Real Madrid and AC Milan faced off in a thrilling pre-season friendly. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their strengths and vulnerabilities. Here's a breakdown of the individual performances, highlighting the key players who influenced the final score.
Real Madrid:
H2: Starting Strong, Finishing Weak
- Thibaut Courtois (8/10): The Belgian keeper was a brick wall in the first half, denying Milan several golden opportunities. His sharp reflexes and confident handling kept Real Madrid in the game.
- Dani Carvajal (7/10): A constant threat down the right flank, Carvajal delivered pinpoint crosses and showcased his trademark defensive solidity.
- Eder Militao (7/10): Calm and composed at the back, Militao anchored the defense with his strong tackles and intelligent positioning.
- David Alaba (7/10): The Austrian veteran was a rock at the back, reading the game well and making crucial interceptions. His passing was also impressive, initiating several attacks from the back.
- Ferland Mendy (6.5/10): A reliable presence on the left side, Mendy put in a decent performance, though he was slightly less impactful compared to his counterpart on the other flank.
- Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10): The French midfielder dominated the midfield with his physicality and precise passing. His ability to break up attacks and dictate the tempo was evident.
- Eduardo Camavinga (7/10): Camavinga's energy and dynamism in the middle of the park were a key factor in Real Madrid's strong first half. His forward runs and tackles helped create chances.
- Federico Valverde (6.5/10): The Uruguayan started brightly, showing his trademark dribbling skills and pressing, but his impact waned in the second half.
- Vinicius Junior (8/10): The Brazilian winger was a constant menace for the Milan defense. His pace and trickery created numerous scoring opportunities, culminating in a well-taken goal.
- Jude Bellingham (9/10): The English newcomer impressed with his intelligent movement, exceptional passing range, and a brilliant goal. Bellingham's performance showcased his potential to become a vital asset for Real Madrid.
- Rodrygo Goes (7/10): The Brazilian forward offered a constant threat with his pace and dribbling skills, providing a valuable outlet on the right wing.
Substitutes:
- Luka Modric (6.5/10): The Croatian maestro came on in the second half and injected some creativity into the Real Madrid midfield.
- Karim Benzema (6/10): The French striker had a limited impact after coming on as a substitute, lacking the sharpness he's known for.
AC Milan:
H2: Finding Their Rhythm in the Second Half
- Mike Maignan (6/10): The French goalkeeper made a few crucial saves in the second half, but was ultimately helpless against Real Madrid's relentless pressure in the first half.
- Sandro Tonali (6.5/10): The Italian midfielder was a stabilizing force in the Milan midfield, dictating the pace and providing a link between defense and attack.
- Rade Krunić (6/10): Krunić worked tirelessly in the midfield, but his impact on the game was limited.
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek (6.5/10): The English midfielder showed glimpses of his talent, offering energy and driving runs in the second half.
- Theo Hernandez (7/10): The French left-back was a constant threat down the left flank, providing dangerous crosses and tackles.
- Pierre Kalulu (6.5/10): Kalulu offered a solid defensive display, although he was caught out on a few occasions by the pace of Real Madrid's attack.
- Fikayo Tomori (6/10): Tomori had a tough time dealing with the likes of Vinicius and Bellingham, conceding a few crucial fouls.
- Christian Pulisic (7/10): The American winger showcased his technical ability and pace, creating a few dangerous moments for Milan.
- Noah Okafor (7/10): Okafor provided a much-needed spark for Milan in the second half, showing his pace and agility on the wing.
- Brahim Díaz (6/10): Díaz struggled to make an impact in the game, lacking the decisiveness needed to create clear scoring opportunities.
- Olivier Giroud (6/10): The French striker had a few chances in the second half but struggled to make a significant impact against the Real Madrid defense.
Substitutes:
- Charles De Ketelaere (6/10): The Belgian midfielder came on and offered a bit more creativity in the second half, but his impact was not significant.
- Junior Messias (6.5/10): The Italian winger added a bit of pace and energy in the second half, but it wasn't enough to salvage the game for Milan.
Conclusion:
This was a game of two halves. Real Madrid dominated the first half, with their new signings Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni shining bright. While AC Milan found their rhythm in the second half, the damage had already been done. The performance of both teams, especially the newcomers, provides hope for a thrilling season ahead.
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