AC Milan secured a 2-0 win over Venezia in Serie A on Sunday as we wrapped up a positive week of results.
The Rossoneri were looking to build on our win over Inter in the Coppa Italia in midweek, and Sergio Conceicao got the outcome he desired as we produced another solid display.
READ MORE: What Sergio Conceicao said in assessment of Milan’s win vs Venezia
Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock in the first half to give us an important lead, while substitute Santiago Gimenez wrapped up the victory in injury time to make the game safe.
The win moves us to within six points of fourth place in the standings, albeit most of our rivals have yet to play this weekend and so have a game in hand, but it was an important result for us as we look to continue to build confidence and form.
AC Milan player ratings vs Venezia:
Mike Maignan, 6 – Didn’t have a great deal to do, but was alert to danger when called upon and commanded his box well throughout on his way to keeping a clean sheet.
Fikayo Tomori, 6.5 – Did an important job keeping our right side tight as he covered for Jimenez by getting across to danger, while he was also key in clearing danger created by deliveries into the box.
Matteo Gabbia, 6.5 – Another solid defensive shift as he was dominant in his individual duel, while also providing us with a crucial presence in the box to clear threatening play from the home side.
Strahinja Pavlovic, 5.5 – A difficult afternoon for the Milan defender, as Yeboah caused him problems down that side and posed a concern for us, while he risked conceding what could have been a decisive penalty.
Alex Jimenez, 5.5 – Started relatively well and was involved in the build-up to our first goal, but faded as the game went on. Looked fatigued after the break before being replaced.
Youssouf Fofana, 6.5 – Important presence in midfield as he broke Venezia’s play up and regained possession for us. Also registered an assist with an incisive pass into Pulisic for the Milan forward to break the deadlock.
Tijjani Reijnders, 6.5 – Had to deal with pressure put on him specifically by Venezia’s midfield and struggled at times. However, he did manage to find space to add rhythm to our play and cause problems before providing the assist for Gimenez’s goal to wrap up the win.
Theo Hernandez, 6 – A decent shift in both phases to play his part for the team in getting the win, but he’ll be disappointed that he couldn’t be more decisive when getting forward into dangerous positions down the left flank.
Christian Pulisic, 7 – A return to form for the USA international, as he gave us key movement off the ball in the final third to stretch the Venezia defence and create space, while he took his early chance clinically to put us ahead.
Tammy Abraham, 5.5 – Worked hard for the team in trying to give us a focal point up top, but struggled to link things together and to make a key contribution in the encounter.
Rafael Leao, 5 – Poor given his potential to be a difference maker, as aside from showing a good turn of pace on occasion, he never really threatened before being replaced in the latter stages.
Substitutes:
Santiago Gimenez, 6 – Took his goal well with a nice finish, and although he didn’t impact the game much aside from that, that will hopefully be a major breakthrough for him to find some form to end the season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 5.5 – Did well in helping us counter after winning possession back but got his decision-making wrong in the attacking third.
Kyle Walker, 6 – Boost to have him back, did well in the latter stages to help us see out the win.
Joao Felix, N/A
Filippo Terracciano, N/A