As part of the fourth match within the Europa League’s group stage, Lille faced AC Milan in France. We got the player ratings.
AC Milan had a complicated visit this evening to face Lille in a trip to France as the Europa League takes a new gear. Having lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic through an injury last weekend is going to prove how difficult life without him will be. Tonight in France, Lille had a great chance to win a game that would place them in a great position for the next couple of games.
With Celtic already eliminated in the competition, AC Milan and Lille only have Sparta Prague as their competitor. The Czech Republic club defeated the Scots 4-1 today and reached 6 units within Group H. We didn’t expect AC Milan to come out with guns blazing against Lille but at least they had to try winning a match that could get them closer to a surprising Lille side this season.
The most important moments of the game didn’t come until the second half. Pioli’s side attempted to put together a squad that could compete without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The manager felt the need to improvise by using Sandro Tonali in a more offensive position that paid off at the start of the second half.
Tonali’s vision and Bamba’s response.
At the very start of the second half, Sandro Tonali delivered a clinical pass to Ante Rebic from deep. The Croatian forward assisted Castillejo for AC Milan’s first goal of the evening against a Lille side that had no choice but to attack. It took the French side 20 minutes to respond through Bamba for the equalizer.
Donnarumma could’ve done a lot more to prevent Lille’s goal but he wasn’t sharp enough after an easy shot directed at him. The match ended with this draw but with several missed chances from both sides. As part of Group H, both squads still depend on themselves to qualify to the next round as they won’t face each other anymore.
Player ratings
Lille: Maignan (6), Fonte (8), Pied (7), Reinildo (7), Botman (7), Andre (6), Xeka(6), Yazici (7), Bamba (8), Araujo (7), David (7).
Bench: Ikone (7), Soumare (6), Lihadji (5), Djalo (5).
AC Milan: Donnarumma (6), Kjaer (7), Theo (7), Dalot (7), Gabbia (7), Calhanoglu (5), Castillejo (8), Bennacer (8), Hauge (6), Rebic (7), Tonali (7).
Bench: Brahim (7), Colombo (5), Krunic (5).
Feel free to make your pick on player’s ratings and performances using the widget below.
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