Player Ratings: AC Milan 1-0 Lazio – Boulaye Dia Taken Out of His Misery

Milan climbed to the top of the Serie A table after edging past Lazio in front of the ecstatic black-and-red crowds at San Siro.

Mike Maignan produced a magical save in the second minute, while Rafael Leao scored the solitary goal of the contest after the interval, finishing off a wonderful team play. Moreover, a controversial refereeing decision from a lengthy on-field review at the end of the match ensured that the Rossoneri were going home with all three points in the bag.

As for Maurizio Sarri’s men, they were second best for the bulk of the evening. So here are our player ratings for Lazio, who suffered yet another setback in Milan.

Lazio XI (4-3-3)

Ivan Provedel – 6

The Italian custodian can’t be blamed for the winner. Although it was a central shot, the narrow distance and the power behind it made it almost impossible to stop. Provedel then made a solid save on Leao’s header, before spilling Strahinja Pavlovic’s bouncing shot.

Adam Marusic – 6

The referee somehow decided that the Montenegrin committed a foul on Pavlovic, which denied Lazio a last-gasp spot-kick. The veteran was mostly solid at the back.

Mario Gila – 6

It was a decent outing for the Spaniard, who was unlucky not to score in the second minute, but he allowed Leao to escape him on the winner.

Alessio Romagnoli – 6

The Italian defender held on at the back for the most part, but committed a nasty challenge on his former teammate, Alexis Saelemaekers.

Luca Pellegrini – 5.5

The former Juventus man was reluctant to push forward, and at times struggled to contain Saelemaekers.

Matteo Guendouzi – 5.5

The Frenchman was second best to Adrien Rabiot, and was guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous areas.

Matias Vecino – 5.5

The Uruguayan veteran was playing as a makeshift Regista, so we can’t be too critical of his display. He started on a decent note, but gradually began to lose control as the game wore on.

Toma Basic – 5.5

This was probably the Croatian’s weakest display since his reinstatement. He was completely outclassed by his compatriot Luka Modric, and even by Youssouf Fofana.

Gustav Isaksen – 5

The Dane tried to work himself into promising positions on a few occasions, but his shooting and crossing were equally dreadful.

Boulaye Dia – 4.5

The Senegalese was happy to track back and offer an extra body in defence, but was too timid to cause the Milan backline any trouble. He has finally been relieved of his duties, making way for Castellanos early in the second half.

Mattia Zaccagni – 6.5

The Lazio captain was the best of a largely disappointing bunch, proving to be the solitary source of danger. He managed to skip past Fikayo Tomori on a few occasions, but couldn’t beat Maignan.

Substitutes

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – 6

A mixed bag from the Nigerian, who made some promising runs, but lacked some sharpness in the execution. All in all, it was a positive cameo after a long layoff.

Taty Castellanos – 6.5

The Argentine displayed the tenacity and hunger that had been sorely missing while he was out of action for two months. He didn’t have any clear-cut chances to score, but he at least tried to work the Milan backline.

Pedro – 6

An upgrade on Isaksen, but didn’t have too many opportunities to make an impact.

Nuno Tavares – N/A

Tijjani Noslin – N/A