{"id":1149166,"date":"2020-06-28T18:28:56","date_gmt":"2020-06-28T17:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1149166"},"modified":"2020-06-29T16:03:20","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T15:03:20","slug":"ac-milan-roma-analysis-rebic-calhanoglu-serie-a","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/ac-milan-roma-analysis-rebic-calhanoglu-serie-a\/","title":{"rendered":"Ante Rebic enhances Zlatan-esque talisman status in AC Milan 2-0 Roma"},"content":{"rendered":"

AC Milan kept their hopes of Europa League qualification alive with an impressive 2-0 win at home to AS Roma on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a tight and tactical first half, Milan finally made the breakthrough in the 76th minute through Ante Rebic, while Hakan Calhanoglu sealed the deal in the final moments from the penalty spot after Chris Smalling had felled Theo Hernandez.<\/p>\n

The win moves Milan level on points with sixth-placed Napoli and just six behind Roma, who remain six points adrift of the Champions League places with 10 games left to play.<\/p>\n

As always, there were individual winners and losers during the match, so let’s take a look at them.<\/p>\n

Winner: Ante Rebic<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If there is one player who has dragged this struggling AC Milan side along kicking and screaming (since Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury at least) it’s been Ante Rebic. Ahead of Sunday’s match, the Croatia international had scored seven of AC Milan’s 16 Serie A goals in 2020 — more than any other player at the club. That record was extended further against Roma.<\/p>\n

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After a largely attritional first half, Milan looked much the better side after the break and finally opened the scoring in the 76th minute. Franck Kessie’s first effort was saved by Antonio Mirante but the ball fell to Rebic. He also saw his first shot saved but the ball then bounced back off the post, with Rebic making no mistake at the second time of asking.<\/p>\n

Rebic has now scored 44% of Milan’s Serie A goals this year. This one wasn’t the prettiest, and he was quite lucky to get another bite at the cherry in all honesty, but he continues to be decisive for the Rossoneri in their search for European football.<\/p>\n

Loser: Justin Kluivert<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Justin Kluivert’s struggles since switching Ajax for Roma have been well documented and the Dutchman has found 2019\/20 just as tough as he did 2018\/19. Just before the suspension of play, however, he managed two goals in his final two games against Gent in the Europa League and Cagliari in Serie A. On Sunday, he appeared very keen to build on those positive performances. In fact, he was a little too keen to make an impression.<\/p>\n

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Justin Kluivert, Bennacer during the match Milan v Roma, of Serie A, date 28. 2019-2020 season. San Siro stadium. Milan, Italia, 28 Jun 2020 (Photo by pressinphoto\/Sipa USA)<\/p><\/div>\n

You can’t fault Kluivert for constantly looking for possession, trying to assert himself on the game and make things happen for his side. However, all too often, he tried too hard, running himself into dead ends and cul-de-sacs of red and black shirts.<\/p>\n

Kluivert was only able to complete nine passes before he was substituted in the 58th minute, the lowest amount of any Roma player, while he lost possession eight times and failed to truly test the Milan defence, despite a number of surging runs and intricate dribbles.<\/p>\n

The quest to prove himself goes on for Kluivert.<\/p>\n

Winner: Hakan Calhanoglu<\/strong><\/h2>\n

He might have missed two big chances, but Hakan Calhanoglu was comfortably Milan’s best player in an attacking sense on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The Turkey international was at the centre of everything the Rossoneri created in the final third, with his quick thinking and sharp passing causing the Roma defence problems all afternoon — his movement drifting inside from the left flank made him a nightmare to track. Calhanoglu was able to split the visitor’s defence open on a number of occasions, while his set-piece delivery remains second to none.<\/p>\n

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He's missed a couple of chances but Hakan Calhanoglu has easily been Milan's best player today. <\/p>\n

His link up play in tight spaces is fantastic.#MILROM<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Ap57DiktUc<\/a><\/p>\n

— Chris Smith (@Chris_SXI) June 28, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n