AC Milan’s 2-2 draw against Bologna stirred contrasting evaluations in the Italian sports papers. While Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, and Olivier Giroud faced criticism for missed penalties and defensive lapses, the spotlight shone on Joshua Zirkzee from the Rossoblu side, a player reportedly on Milan’s radar for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 2-2 stalemate saw Giroud and Theo missing penalty kicks, adding to Milan’s frustration. Maignan’s performance, marred by being nutmegged by Zirkzee for Bologna’s opener, also attracted criticism. Italian sports papers, assessing the French trio’s performance, handed them ratings below 6, reflecting the challenges faced by Milan during the match.
In contrast, the star of the night for Bologna was Joshua Zirkzee. The young forward, reportedly a transfer target for Milan, impressed with his contributions, earning high ratings from Italian sports papers. Gazzetta awarded him a 7/10, while Corriere dello Sport gave him an even more impressive 7.5/10. Zirkzee’s impact on the game showcased his potential and may have strengthened Milan’s interest in acquiring him for the upcoming season.
Aside from Zirkzee, Scotland international Lewis Ferguson also received positive ratings for his convincing performance at San Siro, despite a slight variance in scores from different papers.
Zirkzee and Ferguson’s notable displays have reportedly put them on Milan’s radar for potential summer acquisitions. The interest extends beyond players, as Bologna coach Thiago Motta, who was sent off for dissent after Milan’s first penalty, is also said to be a target for the Rossoneri.
In terms of Milan’s player ratings, Ruben Loftus-Cheek emerged as the standout performer, securing high scores for his brace. However, the overall assessment of Maignan, Hernandez, Giroud, and others highlighted the challenges faced by Stefano Pioli’s side in the 2-2 draw against Bologna.
As the Serie A season progresses, the performances of players like Zirkzee and Ferguson continue to draw attention, with transfer speculations gaining momentum as the summer window approaches. Milan’s pursuit of reinforcements and the subsequent impact on the team’s dynamics will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
