It was a proper full drama at Sardegna Arena when Cagliari hosted AC Milan in both teams’ eleventh Serie A match this season. The home took the lead early when Nadir Zortea found the back of Rossoneri’s net just 70 seconds after kick-off.
However, Milan fought back and managed to finish the first half with a 2-1 lead following Raphael Leao’s brace. Cagliari didn’t back down as they relentlessly pushed for an equalizer goal. Gabriele Zappa brought the host level after scoring in the 53rd minute. Tammy Abraham put Milan ahead once again, before Zappa put his team back on level terms again which this time, stood until the final whistle.
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Cagliari Player Ratings vs AC Milan
Goalkeeper
Alen Sherri – 6.5
As Milan reacted quickly to an early goal Zortea scored, Sherri was busy since the beginning of the game to prevent his goal from conceding more goals.
Defenders
Gabriele Zappa – 8.1
He was Cagliari’s hero today after bringing the club level twice with his two equalizing goals both in the second half.
Jose Palomino – 5.7
Despite his team taking a quick lead, Palomino was busy since the beginning of the game as AC Milan relentlessly put them under pressure.
Sebastiano Luperto – 6.8
He had one big chance to regain Cagliari’s lead over the visitors but his attempt was denied by Maignan.
Tommaso Augello – 7.4
He intercepted several Milan attempts, including when Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukuweze were reacting to Zortea’s early goal.
Midfielders
Antoine Makoumbu – 6.2
He helped the likes of Deiola and Viola to regain control over the midfield which was flooded by Milan’s players who were dominating the ball possession.
Alessandro Deiola – 6.2
Busy intercepting several attacking attempts from AC Milan since the beginning of the game, particularly when Cagliari took the lead early.
Nicolas Viola – 6.9
He was actively involved in Cagliari’s attempts to regain the lead after Milan scored an equalizing goal at the beginning of the match.
Forwards
Nadir Zortea – 8
Zortea shocked the visitors by scoring an early goal when the game was just underway for 70 seconds on the clock.
Zito Luvumbo – 6.5
He had to help his defending teammates protect the box area from Milan’s siege which he was struggling to do.
Roberto Piccoli – 7
He had his space was limited as Milan were really dominant with the ball.
Substitutions
Mateusz Wieteska – 6.1
Davide Nicola helped his team to secure a point against Milan and that was the reason Wieteska came on in the second half. He was decent and brought the energy in the midfield.
Gianluca Gaetano – 6.1
Gaetano was expected to give more composure in Cagliari’s midfield area when Milan relentlessly put them under siege but was under pressure throughout the game.
Gianluca Lapadula – 6.2
Lapadula was one of those players who were expected to save Cagliari from a humiliating home defeat and he eventually did with his spirited effort in final third.
Razvan Marin – 6.1
Marin was played because Cagliari needed a player who could push the opponents in their defensive line and he created big problems for Milan which resulted in late equaliser.
Manager: Davide Nicola
Davide Nicola escaped the needle’s eye thanks to Zappa’s brace in the second half which prevented Cagliari from suffering a home defeat. He was spot-on with his tactics.
AC Milan Player Ratings vs Cagliari
Goalkeeper
Mike Maignan – 6.2
He had several crucial saves which prevented Milan from conceding more goals throughout the match.
Defenders
Theo Hernandez – 6.3
Hernandez helped Milan to put the host under pressure through his link-up with Raphael Leao but couldn’t find the target in the beginning of the game.
Strahinja Pavlovic – 6.5
Not only defending, Pavlovic helped Milan to push Cagliari inside their box and supported the likes of Hernandez and Leao.
Malick Thiaw – 5.9
While Pavlovic was busy helping the front liners to put pressure on the host, Thiaw was standing still in the defending area.
Emerson – 6.3
Emerson made efforts to help Milan attack from the flank side, providing several accurate passes to the attackers.
Midfielders
Tijani Reijnders – 6.9
Reijnders reacted well to Cagliari’s early goal and helped his team to keep pushing the host from then until he provided an assist for Milan’s equalizer.
Youssouf Fofana – 6.6
Fofana maintained balance in the midfield when Reijnders and Pulisic put a lot of effort into attacking the opponents and kept the fort safe on transitions.
Christian Pulisic – 6.2
Led and inspired Milan’s midfield to come back and recover from Cagliari’s early shock with his playing vision.
Forwards
Raphael Leao – 8.2
Worked hard alongside Pulisic and Chukuweze to break into Cagliari’s box to score an equalizer which he did twice before the break.
Samuel Chukuweze – 6.8
He reacted fast to the host’s early goal by pushing Cagliari’s defenders with his pace and power.
Francesco Camarda – 6.7
Several Cagliari players marked him during his attempt to score an equalizer, as Milan had pushed for it since the beginning of the match. Camarda was relatively disappointed with his game.
Substitutions
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6.1
Fonseca wanted composure and fresh legs so he put Loftus-Cheek on in the second half and didn’t disappoint his manager.
Tammy Abraham – 7.4
Milan needed a goal and that’s the reason Fonseca put Tammy, a striker, on in search of a goal which he did through his big efforts in the final third.
Yunus Musah – 6.2
Musah came on to put more people in the midfield so Cagliari wouldn’t be able to break into Milan’s box for the rest of the match and it turned out to be masterstroke by Milan until Cagliari scored the equaliser.
Fikayo Tomori – 5.9
He came on to give Milan fresh legs and with his experience but Tomori looked rusty which was enough to make Cagliari struggle to find another goal.
Noah Okafor – 6.2
With the three points likely to be secured, Milan put Okafor on to give the youngster more playing time in his career but it was an awful decision.
Manager: Paulo Fonseca
He managed to keep his players pulled themselves together even after Cagliari’s shocking early lead. Questions will be asked for his decisions after getting the lead but overall Fonseca was good with tactics but Cagliari ruined his plans.
FAQs
Q. What was the result of the Cagliari vs AC Milan game?
A. The game ended draw 3-3.
Q. Where was the game between Cagliari and AC Milan taking place?
A. The game was taking place at Sardegna Arena, Cagliari.
Who was the best-performing player in the game between Cagliari and AC Milan
A. Gabriele Zappa was the best-performing player in the game.
Q. Who was the worst-performing player in the game between Cagliari and AC Milan?
A. Cagliari’s Jose Palomino was the worst-performing player in the game.