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Player Ratings: Portsmouth 2-2 AC Milan

A memorable encounter in the Uefa Cup saw Pippo Inzaghi rescue AC Milan at the death. Goal.com rates the performers...

Nov 27, 2008 11:03:00 PM

Ronaldinho applauding during AC Milan's 2-2 draw with Portsmouth in the UEFA Cup (PA)

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Ronaldinho applauding during AC Milan's 2-2 draw with Portsmouth in the UEFA Cup (PA)

Teams

Portsmouth:

David James 6.5 Was slow across his line for Ronaldinho's free-kick and failed to take command in his area at key times.

Glen Johnson 8.0 Should be England's automatic choice right-back. Showed his green side by allowing Ronaldinho to buy a cheap free kick from which he scored, but is a joy to behold going into opposition territory. Two assists.

Nadir Belhadj 7.5 Interchangable with Traore on the left flank; when one goes, the other stays. Looks to be one of the signings of the season so far. Incisive, full of intention and positivity, the Algerian is a bright point in the Pompey side.

Slyvain Distin 5.5 His experience should have counted better when it mattered, but he was outdone in the closing stages. Tested time and again by the clever runs of Inzaghi.

Younes Kaboul 6.5 Scored a majestic headed goal and looked a player in his pomp in the opening period. Inexperience counted against him late on.

Richard Hughes 5.0 The game passed him by; his most meaningful contribution was to hack Flamini in the first half.

Pape Bouba Diouf 6.5 His hitherto authoritative stamp was erased from the texture of the game after he suffered a dead leg and was made redundant by Seedorf.

Armand Traore 8.0 Caused havoc on Zambrotta's flank and enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Belhadj.

Glen Little 6.5 Full of endeavour and was efficient in possession.

Peter Crouch 6.0 A striker is judged on his conversion rate, and the England striker missed a clutch of first half chances.

Nwankwo Kanu 7.0 The 32-year-old brings a certain dignity to any match and his passing and layoffs were once again top notch. Fired Pompey to Europe with his FA Cup clincher and struck again here tonight.

Subs

Sean Davis n/a

Arnold Mvuemba 6.0 Brought on to help shore the midfield but paled in comparison to his more capable and experienced counterparts.

AC Milan:

Dida 6.0 An iffy showing from the Brazilian. Still has a tendency to be caught in two minds, and saw the ball roll across his area for the second Pompey goal.

Gianluca Zambrotta 5.0 Provided the assist for the equaliser, but that does not tell the whole story. Had a nightmare against Belhadj and Traore, but his last gasp punt proved vital.

Luca Antonini 5.5 Rash decision making at times but another relatively solid showing for the defender as Ancelotti seeks to blood another fringe player.

Giuseppe Favalli 6.5 Struggled out of his comfort zone against an imposing Crouch, but came into his own when Milan wrested control.

Philippe Senderos 6.5 Beaten by a more hungry Kaboul for the opener and Crouch gave him a first half battering.

Emerson 6.0 Too many Portsmouth chances came through midfield to suggest that the gnarly old pro had an outstanding game, but he did little wrong.

Gennaro Gattuso 6.5 Wheezed a little in the latter stages and was replaced. Used up all his puff trying to catch Belhadj or Traore as they penetrated the flanks.

Mathieu Flamini 7.0 Full of combat and was one of the truly dominant Red and Blacks in his respective position.

Kaka 6.0 Not the most illuminating of displays from the Brazilian. Had a few long shots but was crowded out.

Andrei Shevchenko 5.0 Failed to impress on these shore again. Scarcely troubled James, scarcely missed when he departed.

Filippo Inzaghi 8.0 A livewire and a constant threat. Hit the post on more than one occasion and, alert till the end, popped up with the leveller. Priceless.

Subs

Alexandre Pato 7.0 Made some jinking runs against a creaking backline late on and almost won a penalty.

Ronaldinho 9.0 The game turned on his introduction. His goal put the wind in Milan's sails and he was the biggest threat of the tie.

Clarence Seedorf 8.0 Added composure in the centre as Ancelotti sacrificed bite for guile. Nice and simple from the veteran, who made the most of the cameo.

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