Chievo and AC Milan played out a bore scoreless draw on Saturday evening at the Bentegodi that did not do a great deal for either side.
Diego Lopez was in decent form for the visitors with some vital stops but they failed again to make it two wins in a row in 2015.
Did we get our ratings right? Have your say in the comments below.
Chievo
Albano Bizzarri – 5 – Reliable
Was not tested nearly often enough to warrant any kind of high rating and the saves that he did make were ones that would be expected of him.
Federico Mattiello – 6.5 – Proof
Highly thought of at Juventus, this display was evidence that he is a player more than capable of plying his trade in Serie A – a crucial second half slide tackle to prevent a certain Giampaolo Pazzini goal was key.
Dario Dainelli – 6 – Stopper
Twice in the second half he put in crucial and well-timed tackles in the penalty area to cut out balls across the box from Jeremy Menez and Keisuke Honda that would undoubtedly have resulted in goals for the Diavolo attackers behind him.
Bostjan Cesar – 5 – Relaxed
Strolled through the game in the first half with ease such was the threat, or lack thereof, offered by Mattia Destro and co and although he had more to do with the fresh legs in the second half, never really looked like being part of a defence that would concede.
Ervin Zukanovic – 5 – Restless
Got forward down the left consistently to cause the Rossoneri problems and sent a few telling crosses into the penalty area that neither of his strikers could make the most of.
Mariano Izco – 6 – Threatening
He caused problems for the Rossoneri but at times the final pass, as it was throughout for his side, could have been better given the joy that he had in an attacking sense.
Ezequiel Schelotto – 6 – Close
One of Chievo’s livelier midfield performers, he had a tough time of it in the first half up against Luca Antonelli but warmed to his task in the second and stung the gloves of Lopez with a vicious drive.
Preparim Hetemaj – 5.5 – Above average
Not the usual tigerish display that we are accustomed to with Hetemaj usually relied upon to always be on the ball and stifle the opposition in possession but still showed glimpses that trademark grit.
Valter Birsa – 6 – Intelligent
Always looked to pick out the attackers with clever passes and off the shoulder dribbling which gave Milan plenty to think about on a decent display.
Riccardo Meggiorini – 5 – Lumbering
Plenty of movement and running, but very little penetration once again from the man who has just three goals to his name this season. Must improve in link up around the penalty area.
Sergio Pellissier – 6 – Tricky
Caused the AC Milan back four more problems than his strike partner, sending in one dangerous second half cross that Alex almost turned past Diego Lopez but gave everything and fought for every ball before being replaced.
Substitutes
Alberto Paloschi – 6
Fetfazidis – 5
Radovanovic – N/A
AC Milan
Diego Lopez – 7 – Clean
Faultless night from Lopez. His distribution was much improved on recent performances and made some good saves when called upon to keep out Schelotto and Paloschi.
Daniele Bonera – 5-5 – Troubled
Defensively, not a great performance from the former Parma man as he and his midfield allowed too much to come down his flank but unlucky in the Chievo box early on not to get more out of two shots in a scramble.
Alex – 5.5 – Rattled
With Pellissier’s physical approach and Meggiorini’s willing running, the big Brazilian had plenty of problems around him and he never looked entirely comfortable with it, almost scored a second half OG.
Salvatore Bocchetti – 6 – Led
As Alex struggled beside him, the January arrival turned in a decent performance in comparison and if he keeps up these levels, could prove to be a smart if not a spectacular piece of business.
Luca Antonelli – 6 – Concerned
Did not get forward as often as he would have liked, especially in the second 45 minutes when Schelotto and co’s runs helped him to peg him back into a defensive position. Milan need to get more from his attacking prowess.
Andrea Poli – 5.5 – Missing
Poli’s performance can be summed up by the admission that if you did not know he was starting, it would have taken you a while to realise it. Made up part of an uninventive Milan midfield.
Nigel De Jong – 5 – Saver
The best of Milan’s midfield trio (not that it is any great compliment mind) but Milan have him to thank for sliding in the box to put in one sublime block to deny a Meggiorini effort that surely was heading for the bottom corner.
Riccardo Montolivo – 4.5 – Hooked
When your club captain is substituted before half-time, then you can draw your own conclusions. He needs to get more from himself or he will no longer merit a start.
Giacomo Bonaventura – 6 – Classy
Showed his quality with some good dribbling and passing and if those around him had been on his wavelength, things could have been different perhaps. The best of a bad bunch at the Bentegodi.
Jeremy Menez – 5 – Missing
Another, like Poli, who was AWOL for much of this match. Had a low second half shot blocked that led to a corner but when that is essentially the height of your contribution, it is not a lot to take encouragement from.
Mattia Destro – 5 – Easy
Easy for the Chievo defenders that is. He only lost them once in the game to fashion a chance for himself when he tried to divert Montolivo’s shot into the back of the net with a first time header which went over the top.
Substitutes
Keisuke Honda – 6
Giampaolo Pazzini – 5
Alessio Cerci – N/A
