Player Ratings: Inter 0-1 Milan – Goalkeepers the difference between glory and disaster

Mike Maignan was the undisputed MOTM in Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter.

Inter: Sommer 5; Akanji 6, Acerbi 6.5 (85′ Diouf N/A), Bastoni 6; Carlos Augusto 5.5, Barella 6.5 (85′ Esposito N/A), Calhanoglu 5 (77′ Zielinski N/A), Sucic 6.5, Dimarco 6; Thuram 5.5, Lautaro Martinez 5.5 (65′ Bonny 5.5). Coach: Chivu 5.5.

Best Inter player: Acerbi 6.5 – Irritated Leao in the first half by pulling his hair. He had one of the best chances for the Nerazzurri but hit the post in the first half from a corner kick routine. Same rating for Sucic and Barella, quality touches in the middle of the park.

Lowest Inter rating: Sommer and Calhanoglu 5 – Calhanoglu missed the penalty kick in the second half. The goalkeeper should have done more on the Saelemaekers shot that led to Milan’s winner. It was a tricky one, but not powerful at all, and Sommer was not in the best position to catch it.

Inter coach: Chivu 5.5 – The Nerazzurri deserved to be in front at the break, but were denied by two great saves from Maignan. Once Milan took the lead, they just couldn’t break the Rossoneri wall. No plan B, no win.

Milan: Maignan 9; Tomori 6.5, Gabbia 6.5, Pavlovic 6; Saelemaekers 7, Fofana 5.5 (78′ Ricci N/A), Modric 6.5, Rabiot 6.5, Bartesaghi 6; Pulisic 7 (78′ Nkunku N/A), Leao 5.5 (86′ Loftus-Cheek N/A). Coach: Allegri 7.

Best Milan player: Maignan 9 – Impossible to argue with this one. Two crucial interventions in the first half, a penalty kick save in the second half to keep Milan ahead. Everyone hugged him as soon as the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Lowest Milan rating: Fofana and Leao 5.5 – Both were involved in the Milan goal, but not fully convincing throughout the game. The French midfielder was sloppy, especially when it came to recovering the ball. Leao made too many wrong decisions with the ball. Not a terrible performance overall, but still far from their best version.

Milan coach: Allegri  7 – Everyone knew this was the plan. As soon as the Rossoneri scored, they managed to defend resolutely, keeping tight lines and taking home three crucial points in the race for the title and top four. The Rossoneri won with seven total shots against Inter’s 20. They made just 16 touches inside the opponents’ box (via Sofascore); their opponents had 46. Yet it is Milan going home with what matters the most.