{"id":385010,"date":"2026-01-03T07:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T07:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/385010\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T07:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T07:04:17","slug":"player-ratings-cagliari-0-1-ac-milan-leao-inspires-rossoneris-narrow-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/385010\/","title":{"rendered":"Player Ratings: Cagliari 0-1 AC Milan – Leao inspires Rossoneri’s narrow win"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CAGLIARI,<\/p>\n

CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Rafael Leao of Milan in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rafael Leao is the MOTM in Milan\u2019s 1-0 win over Cagliari, the first game of 2026 in Serie A,<\/a> but two other Rossoneri players received the same rating.<\/p>\n

Cagliari 0-1 Milan Player Ratings<\/p>\n

Cagliari: Caprile 6; Zappa 5, Luperto 5.5, Rodriguez 6; Palestra 6, Adopo 6, Prati 5.5 (61\u2032 Borrelli 5.5), Mazzitelli 5.5 (83\u2032 Cavuoti N\/A), Obert 6 (60\u2032 Idrissi 5.5); Esposito 5.5 (66\u2032 Gaetano 6), Kilicsoy 5.5 (83\u2032 Pavoletti). Coach: Pisacane 6.<\/p>\n

Best Cagliari players: Rodriguez, Adopo, Obert 6 \u2013 Overall, a decent performance from the Sardinians, who started strong and had the best chances in the first half. Rodriguez was the best performer at the back, Adopo recorded 90% passing accuracy (via Sofascore<\/a>), Obert won several duels, but ultimately, Cagliari lacked the quality up front.<\/p>\n

Lowest Cagliari rating: Zappa 5 \u2013 The versatile Italian defender was in the wrong position when Milan scored the opener. Furthermore, he won just two duels and lost possession 14 times.<\/p>\n

Cagliari coach: Pisacane 6 \u2013 The commitment was there. Cagliari did all they could to give a hard time to Milan, but they lacked the quality to hurt the Rossoneri.<\/p>\n

\"CAGLIARI,CAGLIARI, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 02: Rafael Leao of AC Milan leaves the pitch during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant\u2019Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Milan: Maignan 6; Tomori 6.5, De Winter 7, Bartesaghi 6.5; Saelemaekers 6, Fofana 6 (69\u2032 Ricci 6), Modric 6.5, Rabiot 7, Estupinan 5.5 (79\u2032 Gabbia N\/A); Loftus-Cheek 6 (79\u2032 Pulisic N\/A), Leao 7 (69\u2032 Fullkrug 6). Coach: Allegri 6.5.<\/p>\n

Best Milan players: Leao, Rabiot and De Winter 7 \u2013 Leao scored the winning goal from a Rabiot assist, which marked a big second-half performance from the Frenchman. Rafa is becoming a proper centre-forward when you consider that he only made 27 touches before making room for Fullkrug\u2019s debut in the second half. De Winer has been criticised in recent weeks, but tonight he played with great confidence in the middle of a three-man defence.<\/p>\n

\"CAGLIARI,CAGLIARI, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 02: Adam Obert of Cagliari and Youssouf Fofana of Milan battle for control of the ball during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant\u2019Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Lowest Milan rating: Estupinan 5.5 \u2013 In fairness, not a terrible performance, but the Milan left wing-back lacked quality with the ball at his feet, and it\u2019s no coincidence he was rarely involved in the build-up, only making 41 touches in 79 minutes.<\/p>\n

Milan coach: Allegri 6.5 \u2013 He does love performances like this one, doesn\u2019t he? Milan achieved the best possible result with an average performance, but the Rossoneri created enough chances in the second half to win it. Some of their top players were not fully fit: Pulisic only played for 10 minutes, Leao was returning from an injury, and Pavlovic had a fever. It was hard to expect more than this, but it was vital to bring home all three points.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n


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