AC Milan failed to pick up their first point of the 2024/25 Champions League as Bayer Leverkusen prevailed 1-0 this evening. The Rossoneri fought hard, perhaps even a bit unluckily, and below are the player ratings.

If you haven't already, be sure to check it out how we decide on player ratings. From the scale to the impact on the rating, we have put everything together there.

Starting XI

Maignan (7.5 – MOTM): The goalkeeper fended off the home team with some very good traditional saves, but above all he prevented several dangerous crosses from reaching their target. Even if it wasn't complete, he got her out of harm's way. He was also good with his feet.

Emerson Royal (6): Over the entire game, it was enough to receive a pass, as he was always available up front and also handled the ball well. Defensively he was beaten a few times, but also had good moments.

Gabbia (6): He remained calm and composed for most of the game, with some good interventions, and the goal conceded was unfortunate for the entire defense.

Tomori (6): Just like his fellow centre-back, he defended well for most of the game and his pace allowed Milan to take up slightly higher positions on the left. He might have done better on the goal, but it was a great run and an even better pass.

Hernandez (6.5): Helped Milan a lot in the future by using his “cut-inside” skills quite often to create space. He also defended well for the most part, even if it wasn't always easy against such a fast opponent. He also hit the crossbar with a powerful shot, but it was deflected.

Fofana (7): In my opinion, this was the Frenchman's best game in a Milan jersey. In the second half – when the Rossoneri really got going – he really dominated the game and even created a few good chances himself. His defense was also very important and that's exactly what we want to see from him.

Loftus Cheek (6): While he may not have been the most creative player, he brought much-needed physicality and had the right moves. He was also very unlucky not to score after managing to suppress his shot on the half-volley.

Pulisic (6): Like Emerson Royal, he was almost always available and occupied some good positions in the right center of the pitch. More penetration in attack would have been nice, but here he barely manages a pass.

Reijnders (5.5): This is going to sound very harsh, but only because we know how well he normally copes. Don't get me wrong, his movements were more or less perfect throughout the game, but he wasn't the best friend of the ball and that hurt him in the crucial moments. The missed opportunity when he was through and thought there was still a defender there was fatal.

Leao (5.5): Again, it may sound harsh considering he was our only source of performance in the first half with some good runs that gave us a breather. However, there is a feeling that he could have done a lot more in attack in the second half.

Abraham (6): He worked incredibly hard from start to finish and probably should have been awarded a penalty, which was brought down after a lovely run with the ball in the box. It was also nice to see him prevail in the aerial duels, also with some success.

Substitute

Morata (6): It was more or less what you would expect from him, with hard work and the ability to get to the ball from crosses. Unfortunately, apart from perhaps the rebound after Theo's shot, there were no clear chances for him.

Chukwueze (5): Bad crosses and hasty decisions in the first phase of defense. That was certainly not what we wanted to see from the winger tonight.