Milan vs Genoa reactions: Mixed Pioli ratings, Leao decision, Pulisic and problems

Italian sports papers offered different views on Stefano Pioli but agreed that Christian Pulisic was among the best players for the Rossoneri against Genoa: ‘Others were the problem,’ wrote Gazzetta.

Monday’s sports newspapers in Italy analysed Milan’s 3-3 draw against Genoa on Sunday.

USMNT captain Pulisic provided an assist for Olivier Giroud in the second half and received the highest ratings among Milan players, alongside Samuel Chukwueze.

“A shot on target, an excellent assist for Giroud and consistency, always making the right movements. Others were the problem,” wrote the pink paper.

It’s not difficult to guess who Gazzetta referred to with the “others,” given that four players, including Fikayo Tomori and Rafael Leao, were rated below 6/10 by the pink paper.

The Portuguese star was rated 5/10 and was booed when Pioli subbed him off. “It’s time for decisions,” wrote Gazzetta. “Does Leao feel he can start again from Milan, or would a fresh start suit him more?”

Nevertheless, Tomori received the lowest ratings against Genoa as the English defender made errors in “key moments,” noted Gazzetta, including causing an early penalty kick for Genoa, converted by Italy international Mateo Retegui.

Last but not least, Gazzetta did rate Pioli 5.5, but journalist Fabio Licari highlighted that the Parma-born coach “would not deserve to be sacked given what he has done over the last few years.” However “it is sometimes necessary to start from scratch, but he won’t be the only one leaving.”

On the other hand, Corriere dello Sport, on page nine, blamed Pioli, saying that Milan had the wrong approach and were once again weak defensively, conceding three times against Genoa despite switching to a three-man defence” in the final minutes.

Milan vs. Genoa – Sports newspapers player ratings

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Milan (4-2-3-1): Sportiello 6; Florenzi 6 (80′ Kalulu N/A), Gabbia 6, Tomori 4.5, Theo Hernandez 5.5; Bennacer 5.5 (80′ Adli N/A), Reijnders 6; Chukwueze 6.5 (81′ Thiaw 5.5), Pulisic 7, Leao 5 (67′ Okafor 6.5), Giroud 6. Coach: Pioli.ì 5.5

Genoa (3-5-2): Martínez 7.5; Vogliacco 7.5 (86’ Cittadini N/A), De Winter 6, Vásquez 6.5; Spence 6.5, Thorsby 6.5, Badelj 6 (74’ Strootman 6), Frendrup 6.5, Martin 6 (74’ Haps 6); Ekuban 6.5 (86’ Papadopoulos N/A), Retegui 6.5. Coach: Gilardino 6.5

Corriere dello Sport

Milan (4-2-3-1): Sportiello 6; Florenzi 6.5 (80′ Kalulu N/A), Gabbia 6, Tomori 4, Theo Hernandez 5; Bennacer 5.5 (80′ Adli N/A), Reijnders 5.5; Chukwueze 6.5 (81′ Thiaw 5.5), Pulisic 6.5, Leao 4.5 (67′ Okafor 6), Giroud 6. Coach: Pioli 5.

Genoa (3-5-2): Martínez 6; Vogliacco 6.5 (86’ Cittadini N/A), De Winter 5, Vásquez 6.5; Spence 6, Thorsby 6.5, Badelj 6 (74’ Strootman 6), Frendrup 6.5, Martin 6 (74’ Haps 6); Ekuban 7 (86’ Papadopoulos N/A), Retegui 6.5. Coach: Gilardino 7.

Tuttosport

Milan (4-2-3-1): Sportiello 5.5; Florenzi 6.5 (80′ Kalulu N/A), Gabbia 6, Tomori 4, Theo Hernandez 5; Bennacer 5 (80′ Adli 5.5), Reijnders 5.5; Chukwueze 6.5 (81′ Thiaw 5), Pulisic 6.5, Leao 4.5 (67′ Okafor 6), Giroud 5. Coach: Pioli 5.

Genoa (3-5-2): Martínez 6.5; Vogliacco 6.5 (86’ Cittadini N/A), De Winter 5.5, Vásquez 6.5; Spence 5.5, Thorsby 6.5, Badelj 6.5 (74’ Strootman 5.5), Frendrup 6.5, Martin 5 (74’ Haps 6); Ekuban 7 (86’ Papadopoulos N/A), Retegui 6.5. Coach: Gilardino 7