AC Milan and Fiorentina shared the points at the San Siro after Nigel de Jong gave the Rossoneri a first half lead. Fiorentina fought back in the second half and got the equaliser through Josip Ilicic.
The game was an open affair for large portions of the game. Milan had the majority of the possession and looked threatening going forward. Fiorentina took time to get into the match but did seem second best to the hosts. Vincenzo Montella would be the happier of the two coaches having conceded early while Filippo Inzaghi will likely view this as points dropped.
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AC Milan
Christian Abbiati – 6 – Modest
Started the game despite the return to full fitness for Diego Lopez. Untroubled in the first half. Made an awkward pass back from Alex look relatively straightforward as he chipped the oncoming striker. Saved a strong effort from Aquilani from range but couldn’t reach Ilicic’s shot for the equaliser.
Ignazio Abate – 6.5 – Unstoppable
Darted forward with the regularity that we’ve seen from the full-back this season. Fiorentina failed to find an answer to his runs.
Alex – 6 – Slow
Marshaled Babacar and showed a level of experience at the back. Comfortable enough to involve Abbiati in the game regularly. Didn’t close Ilicic down for the equaliser.
Cristian Zapata – 6.5 – Creator
Showed initiative to head El Shaarawy’s corner back across goal for de Jong to score. Matched his defensive partner for confidence in dealing with the Fiorentina attack in the first half. Gave Ilicic too much space for the equaliser.
Mattia De Sciglio – 6 – Average
Was caught in advanced positions and took time to adjust to Cuadrado. Final ball left a lot to be desired and went missing from the equaliser.
Andrea Poli – 6.5 – Determined
Full of running and helped string the attack together with his determination. Had a shot from a corner that was charged down. Replaced by Bonaventura in the second half
Nigel de Jong – 7.5 – Hero
Scored the unlikely opener when El Shaarawy’s corner was headed back across goal by Zapata allowing the Dutchman to rise highest to score. Spread the ball with assurance, read the game and maintained good communication with the midfielders.
Sulley Muntari – 6.5 – Tenacious
Tried to force Fiorentina to play the ball backward. Avoided a booking in the first half and finally picked up a yellow for a late challenge on Ilicic. Other than his wayward tackling he played a good game.
Keisuke Honda – 6 – Confident
Had an excellent run late in the first half which didn’t culminate in a goal. Had a relatively quiet game by the standards of his season.
Jeremy Menez – 6 – Tired
Always looking to find Abate on the opposite flank and did so with great accuracy. Seemed somewhat off the pace. Fed off an excellent back-heel from Poli but his shot was easily gathered by Neto. Replaced by Torres.
Stephan El Shaarawy – 6 – Bright
Had the first effort on goal with a ambitious curling shot but the referee had already called offside. Couldn’t instigate an attack and seemed to panic in front of goal.
Substitutes
Giacomo Bonaventura – 6 – Ineffective
Brought on in search of the winner. Didn’t have the desired effect and became largely invisible.
Fernando Torres – N/A
Made a ten minute cameo appearance in an effort to get the three points. Had a late effort that went well wide.
Fiorentina
Neto – 6 – Anxious
Took out Rodriguez unnecessarily when the ball was on the edge of his area. Seemed unsettled and demanded greater cohesion from his defenders. Left for dead from Milan’s opener.
Nenad Tomovic – 6 – Industrial
Didn’t mark Zapata with any conviction when Milan scored the opener.
Stefan Savic – 5.5 – Poor
Drawn into marking Zapata from the opener leaving a big gap in the middle. Survived shouts of handball which the referee didn’t give correctly.
Gonzalo Rodriguez – 6 – Decent
Should have shown greater awareness from the opener. Made several key interceptions in the second half. Booked late in the game.
Marcos Alonso – 6.5 – Rapid
Withdrawn briefly after a flailing elbow from Honda drew blood from the Spaniard. Was caught ball watching from the opener. Got up and down the left flank with excellent continuity. Frustration crept into his game as the match dragged on.
Jasmin Kurtic – 6.5 – Wasted
Aggressive in the challenge and happy to have an effort from range, his work rate wasn’t rewarded this evening. Replaced by Ilicic.
Borja Valero – 6 – Quiet
Back in the side after an unexplained absence. Was the closest man to de Jong when he scored but couldn’t prevent him scoring. Didn’t manage to dictate the game as he would have liked.
Alberto Aquilani – 6.5 – Threatening
Played some decent passes up the pitch but couldn’t find the vital pass against his former club. Had a fine effort saved by Abbiati.
Matias Fernandez – 6.5 – Engine
Full of energy and provided an edge in the attacking third. Replaced by Vargas late on.
Juan Cuadrado – 5.5 – Frustrating
Looked to impose himself on De Sciglio early on. Yellow carded for a needless foul on Honda. Wasted his passing and ineffective in the final third.
Khouma Babacar – 6.5 – Isolated
In among the bodies when de Jong scored in the first half. Didn’t see much of the ball. Made the crucial run to allow Ilicic to equalise.
Substitutes
Josip Ilicic – 7 – Relieved
Brought on in the place of Kurtic early in the second half. Was desperate to open his account for this season and did, firing it low and hard past Abbiati to level the scores.
Juan Manuel Vargas – 6 – Useful
Came on for Fernandez to add a creative spark to the final half an hour. Had a late effort for the winner but couldn’t find the target.
Milan Badelj – 6 – N/A
Late cameo appearance for the Croatian to help balance the team.
