Post Match: AC Milan 2-2 Fiorentina; Serie A
AC Milan vs Fiorentina
AC Milan came back from 2-0 down to clinch one point against Fiorentina on Saturday evening, a result that showcased both the resilience and the frailties within Paulo Fonseca’s squad as they fought to salvage something from a game that had threatened to spiral out of control early on. The match at the San Siro was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Rossoneri faithful, who watched their team concede two quick goals in the first half, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued them at times this season, before mounting a spirited comeback in the second period to secure a 2-2 draw. A couple of players rose to the occasion with standout performances that kept Milan in the fight, while many others struggled to find their rhythm against a Fiorentina side that, despite their mid-table standing, showed sharpness and intent. Below are the player ratings for the Rossoneri, reflecting a night of mixed fortunes where individual brilliance from the likes of Mike Maignan, Tammy Abraham, and substitute Luka Jovic contrasted sharply with the shortcomings of others in a team still searching for consistency. For those unfamiliar with the methodology behind these ratings, they are determined based on a detailed scale that considers a player’s overall contribution, key moments, and impact on the game—full details of which can be explored in the linked guide. This draw leaves Milan with work to do in their pursuit of a top-four finish, but it also highlighted the potential within the squad when key figures step up, even if the collective performance remains a work in progress.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out how we decide the player ratings. From the scale to what affects the rating, we have compiled everything there. Starting with the man between the sticks, Mike Maignan earned a 7.5 for his efforts, a rating that reflects his status as one of Milan’s most reliable performers this season. The French goalkeeper was left exposed by his defenders on both of Fiorentina’s goals, both of which came from point-blank range and offered him little chance to intervene. Dodo’s opener and Moise Kean’s second exploited gaps in Milan’s backline, leaving Maignan stranded, but his response in the second half was exemplary. He made a series of crucial saves that kept Milan in the contest, denying Kean in a one-on-one situation with a sharp reflex stop, then repeating the feat against Lucas Beltran to thwart another dangerous move. Later, he got down low to parry a fierce shot from Kean, a save that preserved the point Milan would eventually secure. Maignan’s continued good form is a bright spot for Fonseca, offering a foundation of stability amid a defense that too often falters, and his performance underscored why he remains one of the top goalkeepers in Serie A, even on a night when he couldn’t keep a clean sheet.
Walker (5.5) was probably the best out of the defenders, even if that doesn’t say much today. The full-back’s display was a mixed bag, emblematic of a backline that struggled to cope with Fiorentina’s attacking intent. Booked in the first half for a clumsy foul that disrupted a promising move, Walker’s indiscipline put additional pressure on his teammates, and a late error nearly proved catastrophic, only spared by Fiorentina’s failure to capitalize. Yet, there were positives—his willingness to push forward offered some outlet on the right, and he made a handful of decent recoveries to halt Fiorentina’s advances. Compared to his defensive colleagues, he stood out marginally, but that’s a low bar given the collective shambles that allowed Fiorentina to race into a 2-0 lead. Fikayo Tomori (5.5) had a similarly inconsistent night, caught napping for the first goal when Yunus Musah’s mistake left him exposed, though he was too easily outmuscled by Albert Gudmundsson in the buildup. His sluggish reaction was evident again for the second, failing to track Kean’s run, but he redeemed himself somewhat in the second half with aggressive interceptions higher up the pitch and a fortunate assist for Jovic’s equalizer, the ball deflecting off him in a scramble. Malick Thiaw (5) was equally culpable, perhaps unlucky on the first goal but questionable in his decision-making—should he have cleared it immediately rather than hesitating? His inexplicable push upfield for the second goal left Kean acres of space, a blunder that summed up Milan’s defensive disarray, and while he steadied himself later, it was far from a convincing recovery.
Theo Hernandez (4) endured a torrid evening, one of his worst in a Milan shirt, epitomized by his role in Fiorentina’s second goal. Glancing over his shoulder as Dodo received the ball, he inexplicably failed to intercept the pass, allowing Kean to steal in and score—a moment of indefensible defending. His petulance didn’t help either; stopping play to argue with the full-back earned him a deserved yellow card and painted a picture of a player out of sorts. In the second half, he spurned a golden opportunity to level the score, his shot well saved by Pietro Terracciano but still a chance he should have buried, and a wasteful finish on a counterattack compounded his woes. In midfield, Yunus Musah (4) was hooked after just 25 minutes, a damning indictment of his performance. His inability to execute a simple pass in a dangerous area gifted Fiorentina their opener, and while he showed flashes of dynamism with the ball, his recurring errors underline why he’s not yet ready for the demands of a club like Milan—Paulo Conceicao’s early substitution spoke volumes. Youssouf Fofana (5) fared slightly better, his positioning solid if unspectacular, but his influence waned in possession, with poor choices in the final third disrupting Milan’s rhythm and preventing any sustained flow to their play.
Christian Pulisic (5.5) offered a glimmer of quality with a smart assist for Abraham’s goal, laying the ball on a platter for the Englishman, but otherwise faded into the background for much of the game. He flickered into life in the second half, missing a header he should have directed better and failing to convert a rebound after a fine save, though a late ball to Santiago Gimenez showed promise before his withdrawal—still, a subdued night overall. Tijjani Reijnders (5.5) battled through illness that had hampered his preparation, and it showed; lacking his usual zip, he took up intelligent positions but couldn’t muster the incisiveness needed in the final third, a forgivable dip given the circumstances. Rafael Leao (5.5) was, as ever, a focal point, his dribbles and runs drawing attention, but his composure deserted him once more. A first-half chance went begging when he opted to pass instead of shoot despite being through, and while he was denied a clear free-kick by the referee, his tendency to go down easily frustrated onlookers—a night of promise unfulfilled.
Tammy Abraham (7.5) was a standout, his superbly taken goal a highlight of Milan’s fightback. Setting it up himself with a clever turn, he gave Pulisic the simplest of tasks for the assist, and his physical presence and link-up play—echoed only by Jovic among Milan’s forwards—proved vital. The Englishman’s resurgence is a boon for Fonseca, his knack for involving teammates and finishing chances offering a lifeline when Milan needed it most. Among the substitutes, Luka Jovic (7.5 – MOTM) stole the show, entering after 25 minutes and transforming the game. The Serbian dropped deep to orchestrate play, shrugging off defenders and threading passes to unlock Fiorentina’s backline, while his tenacity on the loose ball for the equalizer showcased his hunger. More than a supersub this time, Jovic’s all-around impact—beating his man, creating space, and scoring—earned him the man-of-the-match honors, a deserved accolade for a player who dragged Milan back from the brink.
This draw, while a testament to Milan’s spirit, exposed lingering issues that Fonseca must address. Maignan’s heroics and the attacking contributions of Abraham and Jovic masked a defensive frailty and midfield inconsistency that could derail their ambitions if left unchecked. Fiorentina, for their part, will rue not holding onto their lead, but Milan’s late surge ensured a point apiece in a match that encapsulated the highs and lows of the Rossoneri’s 2024-25 campaign so far. With tougher tests ahead, this performance offers both hope and a stark warning—individual brilliance can only carry a team so far without a cohesive foundation.
