Milan

2.96

• 
  2

  0

  3.50

  Christian Abbiati

  Was perhaps more busy that he would have anticipated, but was relatively solid whenever called into action. Pulled off an excellent save against Thiago Ribeiro when the Brazilian half-volleyed towards the near post, and produced another great save from a Nene free kick in the latter stages.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Mattia De Sciglio

  The youngster had a solid outing, but struggled slightly with the power of Ibarbo when the Colombian was driving towards goal.

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  Philippe Mexes

  Showed glimpses of his trademark hot-headedness throughout the match which could have seen him saw red, but when he showed composure he was excellent and always attempted to build play from the back. Just needs to curb his temper.

• 
  1

  1

  3.00

  Ignazio Abate

  Allowed Thiago Ribiero to get beyond him and get a volley in on goal which was Cagliari’s best opportunity of the second half. Became more solid as the game went on but was reluctant to go on his usual marauding runs down the right.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Daniele Bonera

  Saved Milan’s in the 27th minute when he recovered wonderfully with a last ditch challenge on Pinilla when the Chilean looked poised to strike on goal, but was a tad reluctant at times in possession.

• 
  1

  2

  2.50

  Bakaye Traoré

  Did not have too much of an affect on the match. Displayed a good engine in midfield but did not use his towering presence enough to get in the faces of Cagliari. Replaced 10 minutes into the second half by Constant.

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  Riccardo Montolivo

  Provided a defence-splitting pass for El Shaarawy’s opening goal of the match. However, after this he played within himself and resorted to short passes in the midfield rather than ambitious balls between defenders.

• 
  1

  1

  2.50

  Urby Emanuelson

  A relatively quiet match for the Dutchman. Attempted to cut inside at every opportunity when on the right and was foiled more than once by Daniele Conti as the Cagliari man patrolled the edge of the box. Has had much better games.

• 
  3

  2

  2.50

  Nigel De Jong

  His job is to break up the play of the opposition and he didn’t excel at his task. Was neat as always in possession but awarded far too much room to Conti in particular.

• 
  2

  2

  2.50

  Giampaolo Pazzini

  Almost got on the scoresheet when he cleverly flicked the ball towards goal only to see his attempt blocked by Astori. Was not awarded too much room inside the box and often found himself outnumbered.

• 
  5

  0

  4.00

  Stephan El Shaarawy Top of the Match

  Head and shoulders the best player on the park. Took both goals with composure and confidence beyond his years and was a constant threat to Cagliari. His pacey movement always enabled him to create space for himself to affect the play.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  2

  2.50

  Kevin Constant

  Squandered a superb chance to score in the dying minutes.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Massimo Ambrosini

  Kept it tidy after his introduction and assisted the second goal with a neat pass through the middle

Cagliari

2.68

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Michael Agazzi

  Darted out of his defence well in the first five minutes to smother the ball at the feet of El Shaarawy. However, was eventually outdone twice by the 19-year-old and could not do much about either strike.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Davide Astori

  Terrifically blocked a clever flick by Pazzini that looked destined for the net in the first half. Solidly got about his game for the majority of the match and bar his block in the first period, did not allow Pazzini a lot of room to manoeuvre inside the penalty area.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Francesco Pisano

  Got off to a poor start in the game when he stupidly took Emanuelson out with a bad tackle next to the corner flag just four minutes in, which left him fairly neutered. However, recovered to form a decent attacking partnership with Ibarbo down the left after the Colombian switched sides.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Luca Rossettini

  Displayed a lack of communication with his defenders when he played El Shaarawy onside for the first goal. Did not have a particularly poor match but did struggle with the pace and movement of the Milan front three.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Gabriele Perico

  Had his hands full all night with star of the night El Shaarawy. Was guilty of letting the Italian come inside basically every time he got the ball, where he is most dangerous. Did not offer much in an attacking aspect.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Radja Nainggolan

  Was always in the faces of the Milan midfield and acted as the playmaker for the away side in advanced areas. Picked out a number of excellent passes in between the lines of midfield and attack.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Daniele Conti Flop of the Match

  Was the catalyst for all the central play of his side and pulled the strings from a deeper position. His performance was severely tarnished in the second half when he inexplicably used an elbow to stop the run of Pazzini, and was sent off with 25 minutes remaining.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Daniele Dessena

  Linked up well with his team-mates in the midfield trio was box-to-box for the majority of the match. His passing was not as incisive as the other two but he showed plenty of desire in the final third without being particularly dangerous.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Thiago Ribeiro

  Tested the reflexes of Abbiati in the first half with a lashed half-volley from the left-hand side. Gave Abate a lot to think about when he cut inside from the left wing but his shot was his only real contribution. Brought off 10 minutes into the second period.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Víctor Ibarbo

  Came within inches of finding the net in the first period when his drilled shot towards the bottom corner just went by the post. Also came incredibly close in the second half when his glanced header shaved the post. Was a danger all evening.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Mauricio Pinilla

  Was far too wasteful in the final third despite finding himself in decent positions throughout the match. Had a couple of attempts that went miles over the crossbar in the first half and missed a glorious headed opportunity two minutes after half time.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Albin Ekdal

  Did not pose much of a threat to Milan after coming on.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Nenê

  Had Abbiati scrambling with a terrific free kick attempt and looked sharp after his introduction.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Marco Sau

  Had plenty of time to make an impact but was unable to adapt to the pace.