AC Milan produced an impressive response to their disappointment at Napoli last weekend by sealing a thrilling 2-1 injury-time win over Roma at the San Siro on Friday night. Federico Fazio cancelled out Franck Kessie's opener, but substitute Patrick Cutrone stepped up late on to bag the winner.
Positives
Despite concerns being raised by some supporters last weekend over the approach to play out from the back, Milan stuck to their game against Roma and showed more positive signs. Patient, composed but moving with purpose, they impressed in attack and were astute defensively as they showed they can couple great football with a positive result.
Negatives
Similarly to the Napoli defeat, there was a spell in the second half where the Rossoneri looked a little vulnerable and leggy. That's something that they'll have to work on and improve as the season goes on to avoid giving the opposition a way back into the game.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Gennaro Gattuso deserves plenty of credit for this win as aside from instilling the confidence in the players to stick to their guns and play their brand of football, his changes in bringing on Diego Laxalt, Samu Castillejo and Cutrone were key to giving Milan a lift in the latter stages to seal the win.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6 -- Looked a little uneasy at times with his distribution, but while he couldn't do much to prevent the goal, he did make a crucial intervention when flying out of his box as he impressed for the most part.
DF Davide Calabria, 6 -- Still aspects of his defensive work that he must improve in, but put in a tireless shift down the right flank while looking like an attacking threat throughout. Continues to mature and gain experience.
DF Mateo Musacchio, 7 -- A solid defensive display from the Argentine, whether it was dealing with Patrik Schick or Edin Dzeko. Didn't allow them any joy in the final third and looked composed in possession throughout.
DF Alessio Romagnoli, 7 -- Similarly to his central defensive partner, the Milan captain showcased his exceptional reading of the game to make interventions and was as elegant as ever with his distribution from the back as he put in another impressive performance.
DF Ricardo Rodriguez, 7 -- Much improved from the Swiss international as he looked a little less tentative on the ball and produced a great assist for the opening goal. Defensively sound for the most part, he must now find this level of consistency and grow in confidence.
MF Franck Kessie, 7 -- Scored a crucial goal to break the deadlock with a great run into the box to find space and tap home. Worked relentlessly in midfield on and off the ball in an all-round top display.
MF Lucas Biglia, 7 -- Came under fire last weekend, but the midfield stalwart showed great character to prove his importance to the side. Industrious, tireless and tidy in possession, he does have his off nights but this certainly wasn't one of them.
MF Giacomo Bonaventura, 6 -- Not as effective as he was against Napoli, but showed glimpses of quality and worked just as hard in midfield to give Milan a foothold in the game. Almost registered a brilliant assist with his pass for the disallowed goal.
FW Suso, 6 -- Always looking to get on the ball and create, but it wasn't one of his more decisive displays. The Spaniard is a crucial creative spark for Milan, but he lacked the quality with his final pass and delivery to help break Roma down.
FW Gonzalo Higuain, 7 -- Although he didn't get on the scoresheet, the Argentine forward showed real class in leading the line. Held the ball up well, his link-up play was superb and worked hard throughout to put pressure on Roma. Wrapped it up with a brilliant assist to carve through the defence and put Cutrone in to score the winner.
FW Hakan Calhanoglu, 6 -- Started really positively as his influence on this team was apparent immediately with his confident passing and ability to get away from his man. Tired as the game went on, which was to be expected given it was his first outing of the season, but there is no doubt that the Turkish international will be decisive.
Substitutes
DF Diego Laxalt, N/R -- Offered a boost in energy down the left flank in the latter stages to shore things up defensively but also to contribute to a late push from Milan to find a winner.
FW Samu Castillejo, N/R -- Looked a real livewire as he closed down the opposition at every opportunity and showed a change in speed to offer a different threat and endeared himself to the fans immediately on his debut.
FW Patrick Cutrone, N/R -- Offered his usual high-intensity pressure and work rate off the ball before adding the icing on the cake of his cameo appearance with a brilliantly taken goal to win the game.