AC Milan 1-2 Cagliari Player Ratings: Mike Maignan 8.5/10 Lone Warrior as Cagliari Shock Milan in a 2-1 Victory

What a turn of events at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. We came expecting a routine win for AC Milan, but Cagliari had other plans entirely. They pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory in this thrilling Serie A encounter, leaving the home crowd in disbelief.

It all started so perfectly for Milan. Alexis Saelemaekers found the net just two minutes in, and we thought it was the beginning of a comfortable evening. But Cagliari showed immense character. They didn't let their heads drop and fought their way back into the match.

The equalizer came from Gennaro Borrelli in the 20th minute, silencing the stadium. From our perspective, that goal changed the entire dynamic of the game. AC Milan seemed rattled, while Cagliari grew in confidence. The winner eventually came in the second half from a header by Juan Rodríguez, securing a famous win for the visitors. Despite the loss, Mike Maignan was absolutely heroic in goal for Milan, making a staggering nine saves to keep his team from a much heavier defeat. Here are Sportsdunia's AC Milan vs Cagliari player ratings.

AC Milan Player Ratings vs Cagliari

Here are the AC Milan player ratings vs Cagliari.

Goalkeeper

Mike Maignan - 8.5: An absolutely colossal performance from the captain. Honestly, he was the only reason the scoreline wasn't a complete embarrassment. He made nine saves, six from inside the box, and looked unbeatable at times. The two goals he conceded were hardly his fault. It’s a massive shame his heroics were for a losing side. That yellow card was probably pure frustration. Easily the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Defenders

Fikayo Tomori - 6.0: A difficult outing for Tomori, who was surprisingly subbed off after an hour. He lost all three of his duels and just didn't look like the commanding presence we're used to. The defense was breached twice while he was on, and he seemed a step off the pace. We expected more from him.

Strahinja Pavlović - 5.5: A really tough night for the defender. He was booked and lost more duels than he won. He looked quite vulnerable against Cagliari's determined attackers. Not a performance he'll want to remember, as he was often caught out of position.

Matteo Gabbia - 7.0: The best of Milan's backline, without a doubt. He won five of his seven duels and made three crucial blocks. He was throwing himself in front of everything to try and keep his team in it. A commendable effort in a defense that otherwise looked very shaky.

Midfielders

Adrien Rabiot - 7.0: A mixed performance from the Frenchman. He created an impressive four chances, showing his quality on the ball. However, he was also incredibly wasteful, firing all four of his shots off target. He kept possession well but lacked that killer instinct in the final third.

Youssouf Fofana - 5.0: One of the worst performers on the day. He was largely anonymous in the midfield battle. He lost possession seven times and was dribbled past twice with ease. It was no surprise to see him substituted after 68 minutes.

Ardon Jashari - 6.0: A tidy but ultimately ineffective performance. He completed a high percentage of his passes but offered very little penetration or defensive cover. It felt like the game passed him by for large spells. An average display.

Davide Bartesaghi - 7.0: A bright spot in a disappointing team performance. He was solid, winning most of his duels and creating two key passes. He showed good energy and intent, which was more than could be said for some of his teammates. A decent showing.

Alexis Saelemaekers - 8.0: Milan's most potent attacking threat. He scored a fantastic goal just two minutes into the game. He continued to be a menace, creating three chances and winning seven duels. He was one of the few who can hold his head high after this match.

Forwards

Santiago Gimenez - 6.5: He did provide an assist for the opening goal, which was a great start. But he only managed 10 touches before being hooked at halftime. He seemed isolated and starved of service. A frustrating half for the striker.

Christopher Nkunku - 6.0: A very quiet game from a player of his caliber. He missed a big chance and was a peripheral figure throughout. He was substituted just after the hour mark, having failed to make any real impact. We were definitely disappointed.

Manager

M. Allegri - 5.0: A day to forget for the manager. His team got the dream start but then completely lost control of the match. They looked tactically naive and were outfought by a more determined Cagliari side. His substitutions, including bringing on Pulisic and Leao, failed to change the course of the game. A poor result at home.

Cagliari Player Ratings vs AC Milan

Check out the Cagliari player ratings vs AC Milan.

Goalkeeper

Elia Caprile - 7.0: A solid performance between the sticks. He couldn't do much about Saelemaekers' early strike but was reliable thereafter. He made two important saves and commanded his area well, contributing to a famous victory.

Defenders

Juan Rodríguez - 8.0: The match-winner. He scored the decisive goal with a well-taken header, etching his name into the story of this game. Beyond his goal, he was solid defensively during his time on the pitch. A heroic contribution from the defender.

Yerry Mina - 7.5: A colossal presence at the back. He grabbed an assist and made a staggering eight clearances. His experience was evident as he marshalled the defence, especially in the frantic final minutes. A true leader's performance.

Zé Pedro - 6.5: Played his part in a well-organized defensive unit. He was disciplined and kept things simple before being substituted. He won't grab the headlines, but he did his job effectively. A solid hour's work.

Midfielders

Michel Adopo - 6.5: The unsung hero in midfield. He worked tirelessly, breaking up play and shielding his defense. While not spectacular on the ball, his positional sense and work rate were crucial for the team's balance.

Gianluca Gaetano - 7.5: The engine room of the team. He was everywhere, amassing 98 touches and constantly driving his team forward. He tested Maignan with two shots on target and was a constant source of energy. A fantastic all-action display.

Alessandro Deiola - 6.5: The captain led by example with a typically industrious performance. He was steady in possession and helped his team win the midfield battle. He made one error leading to a shot but was otherwise reliable until his substitution.

Gabriele Zappa - 6.0: A quieter game for Zappa on the flank. He struggled in his duels and missed a big chance to score. He worked hard for the team, but it wasn't his most effective outing. The win is all that matters, though.

Adam Obert - 7.0: An impressive display full of quality and tenacity. He created three chances for his teammates and wasn't afraid to get stuck in with three tackles. He offered a great balance of attack and defense down the left side.

Forwards

Gennaro Borrelli - 8.0: What a performance. He scored the vital equalizer that turned the tide of the match. He was a constant thorn in Milan's side, registering five shots, four of which were on target. A brilliant, powerful display from the frontman.

Sebastiano Esposito - 7.5: He didn't find the net, but he was instrumental in their attack. He created four chances, won a remarkable eight duels, and drew four fouls. His clever movement and relentless work rate caused endless problems for the Milan backline.

Manager

F. Pisacane - 8.5: A tactical masterclass. His team showed incredible spirit to come from behind at such a daunting venue. He set his side up to be resilient and to hit AC Milan on the counter, and it worked to perfection. A truly outstanding achievement for him and his squad.