Cremonese 0-2 Milan Player Ratings: Late Strikes from Pavlović and Leão Seal A Gritty Away Win For the Rossoneri

It was a nail-biter of a match that had us on the edge of our seats until the very end. AC Milan snatched a dramatic 2-0 victory against a resilient Cremonese side in their Serie A clash. For most of the game, it felt like one of those frustrating days for Milan.

They dominated the ball but just couldn't find a way through the organized and stubborn home defense at Stadio Giovanni Zini. Cremonese's game plan was nearly perfect. They absorbed pressure, frustrated Milan's attackers, and their goalkeeper, Emil Audero, had an exceptional outing today.

It looked destined for a goalless draw, a result Cremonese would have celebrated like a win. But football, as we know, is a cruel game. The deadlock was broken by an unlikely hero, Strahinja Pavlović, who headed home from a Luka Modrić corner in the 89th minute.

With Cremonese pushing for an equalizer, space opened up, and Rafael Leão sealed the deal deep into stoppage time with a classic counter-attacking goal. This match was a testament to Milan's persistence and a heartbreaking end for a Cremonese team that gave it their all.

Here are the Cremonese vs Milan Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Both Adrien Rabiot and Strahinja Pavlovic won the most duels in the game (9).
• Milan had the most big chances in this game (7) while Cremonese could create just one.
• Koni De Winter had the most interceptions in this match (3).

Milan Player Ratings vs Cremonese

Have a look at the Milan Player Ratings from the Cremonese vs Milan Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mike Maignan - 7.5: Had a relatively quiet evening for large spells but was called into action when needed. He made a crucial save from Luperto's header late on, showing his concentration was on point. A clean sheet and a confident display from the captain.

Defenders

Koni De Winter - 7.5: What a solid performance. Not only was he a rock at the back with a massive 13 clearances, but he also provided the assist for the opening goal. He was composed and read the game exceptionally well. We noticed his positional awareness was key to snuffing out several attacks.

Fikayo Tomori - 7.0: A typically robust display from Tomori before he was substituted. He made three crucial blocked shots and was a commanding presence. His partnership with his fellow defenders was solid throughout his time on the pitch.

Strahinja Pavlović - 8.0: The man who broke Cremonese hearts. He was an absolute warrior, winning duels all over the park. To cap it all off, he popped up with the vital, match-winning goal. A truly immense performance that deservedly gets him a high rating.

Midfielders

Adrien Rabiot - 8.0: A powerhouse in the middle of the park. Rabiot was everywhere, breaking up play, winning his battles, and driving the team forward. He created three chances and his physical presence was a constant problem for Cremonese. From our perspective, this was a dominant midfield display.

Luka Modrić - 8.5: The highest-rated player for a reason. Simply a masterclass in midfield control. Modrić dictated the tempo of the game with his incredible vision and passing range. His 88% pass accuracy and 10 passes into the final third show just how influential he was. He was the conductor of the orchestra, and it was a joy to watch.

Youssouf Fofana - 7.0: A very energetic performance before he was taken off. He created a couple of big chances and was a lively presence. However, he did have a heart-in-mouth moment with an error that led to a shot, which slightly mars his rating.

Davide Bartesaghi - 7.0: Provided a good outlet on the flank and delivered some dangerous crosses. He created three key passes and was always looking to get forward. A tireless performance before he had to come off with a knock.

Alexis Saelemaekers - 6.0: It was a frustrating night for Saelemaekers. While he created three chances, he also lost possession 15 times which often killed Milan's momentum. He worked hard but lacked the final product before being substituted.

Forwards

Rafael Leão - 7.0: What stood out to us was his persistence. For 90 minutes, it just wasn't his night; he missed two big chances and looked frustrated. But he kept going and got his reward with a well-taken goal to secure the three points. It’s the mark of a great player to make an impact even on an off day.

Christian Pulisic - 6.5: The American worked his socks off and had a good shot saved by Audero. He made some good runs but struggled to find space against a packed defence. A decent but ultimately quiet evening for him.

Substitutes

Christopher Nkunku - 7.0: Came on and provided the assist for Leão's goal. A game-changing substitution.

Other Substitutes - N/A: Not enough time or impact to warrant a rating.

Manager

M. Allegri - 7.5: We have to give him credit. His team looked frustrated, but he remained patient and his substitutions ultimately won the game. Bringing on Nkunku was a masterstroke. He found a way to win a very difficult match, and that's all that matters.

Cremonese Player Ratings vs AC Milan

Have a look at the Cremonese Player Ratings from the Cremonese vs Milan Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Emil Audero - 8.0: Absolutely outstanding. Audero was the reason Cremonese were in the game for so long. He made four crucial saves, including brilliant stops to deny Pulisic and Leão. He was commanding and confident, and can feel incredibly unlucky to be on the losing side.

Defenders

Sebastiano Luperto - 6.5: A solid and committed display at the back. He almost became a hero with a header that was well-saved. He was part of a defensive unit that was breached only at the very end. Can't fault his effort.

Matteo Bianchetti - 7.5: The captain led by example before his substitution. He was immense, making crucial blocks and tackles. His reading of the game was excellent, and his departure was felt by the team.

Francesco Folino - 7.5: Another heroic performance in the Cremonese backline. Eight clearances and a 93% pass accuracy is phenomenal for a centre-back under so much pressure. He barely put a foot wrong all game.

Midfielders

Giuseppe Pezzella - 6.5: A very industrious performance on the left. He won all four of his attempted tackles but was wasteful in possession at times. A mixed bag, but his defensive work was commendable.

Morten Thorsby - 6.5: A real battler in the midfield. He was a nuisance in the air and worked hard to disrupt Milan's rhythm. He didn't offer much going forward but did his defensive job well.

Jari Vandeputte - 7.5: Cremonese's most creative player by a mile. He created a staggering six chances for his teammates. Everything positive for the home side seemed to go through him. A fantastic display that deserved more.

Youssef Maleh - 5.5: A difficult evening for Maleh. He struggled to get into the game and committed a few too many fouls, eventually picking up a yellow card. He was overrun in the midfield battle.

Alessio Zerbin - 5.0: It just didn't happen for him. He was full of running but his final ball was lacking and he lost possession far too easily. From our perspective, he was the weak link in Cremonese's attack.

Forwards

Jamie Vardy - 6.0: He worked hard and chased everything down, as you'd expect. But he was feeding on scraps for most of the game. He had a couple of half-chances but was well-marshalled by the Milan defence.

Federico Bonazzoli - 7.0: He was a real handful for the Milan defenders, drawing five fouls. He led the line with spirit and held the ball up well to bring others into play. A tireless and selfless performance from the captain.

Substitutes

Tommaso Barbieri - 6.0: Came on and tried to offer some energy down the flank, but couldn't change the course of the game.

Other Substitutes - N/A: Not enough time or impact to warrant a rating.

Manager

D. Nicola - 7.0: His tactics were almost perfect. His team was organized, disciplined, and incredibly hard to break down. He set his team up to frustrate Milan, and it worked for 89 minutes. He can be proud of his team's performance, despite the heartbreaking result.

Man of the Match

Luka Modrić was the man of the match in this Serie A fixture.

Worst Performer

Alessio Zerbin of Cremonese was the worst performer from the Cremonese vs Milan game.