Serie A | Milan 1-0 Lazio | Player Ratings – Leao the difference maker

Milan defeated Lazio 1-0 this evening at San Siro as the Rossoneri move temporarily top of Serie A, pending tomorrow’s results.

Football Italia’s Player of the Match was Rafael Leao.

Milan: Maignan 7; Tomori 6.5, Gabbia 6, Pavlovic 6; Saelemaekers 6, Fofana 6.5 (Loftus-Cheek 6), Modric 6, Rabiot 6, Bartesaghi 6.5; Nkunku 5 (Ricci N/A), Leao 7

Best Milan Player: Rafael Leao – Hard to pick a best player out of what was a very average performance across both teams. However, the Portuguese forward scored the winning goal and must get his flowers for that. It has been a season of narrow margins and the Rossoneri’s star player has once again pulled through when the going got tough.

Lowest Milan Rating: Christopher Nkunku – Really struggling to settle in at Milan and was once again the worst player on the pitch. The Frenchman looks lost in his role and is completely ineffective in both the transition and attacking phases.

Coach: Massimiliano Allegri 6.5 – Once again wins by a goal to nil, as the coach masters all the various challenges thrown his way. Lazio was a new test, with one of the best defences in the league, but Leao’s goal separated the two sides. Allegri’s substitutes were good, his set-up was strong and he will be delighted with the three points. Was sent off at the end in a moment of petulance.

Lazio: Provedel 6; Marusic 6, Gila 6, Romagnoli 6, Pellegrini 5.5; Guendouzi 6, Vecino 5.5 (Dele Bashiru 6), Basic 6; Isaksen 6 (Pedro 6), Dia 5.5 (Castellanos 6), Zaccagni 6.5

Best Lazio Player: Mattia Zaccagni – The winger was by far Lazio’s best player tonight and was a constant threat on the left flank. Went close in the first half and was unlucky not to inspire his teammates to victory.

Lowest Lazio Rating: Boulaye Dia – Mirroring the issues of Nkunku, Lazio’s starting centre-forward continued his poor form with another flat display. The forward struggled to get into the game and was eventually replaced by Castellanos around the hour mark.

Coach: Sarri 6 – Pretty average day at the office here for Sarri. Whilst he will be disappointed to come away with nothing, the Biancocelesti put up a decent fight and only a goal from game-changer Leao could separate the two teams. Taking off Dia was a good decision but his subs on the whole failed to turn the game around.