Bitter Italian media release NUFC player ratings & comment on best/worst performers vs Milan

It’s been interesting to read what the Italian media made of Newcastle’s performance last night, where we left with a precious point following a 0-0 draw with AC Milan.

Milan-based paper Gazzetta dello Sport has released their player ratings after the game, sharing their marks out of 10 along with comments on Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Fabian Schar.

A few of those come with a hefty dose of bitterness, as Gazzetta take a subtle dig at Botman’s decision to join Newcastle over Milan, claiming Trippier ‘hid away like everyone else’ opposed to attacking and that Tomori tore Isak apart, feeling the Swede failed to impress Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the stands.

Here’s their ratings – some of which seem pretty harsh – followed by their assessment of the five Mags mentioned above:

Pope (7) – Trippier (7), Schar (6.5), Botman (6.5), Burn (6) – Longstaff (6), Guimaraes (5.5), Tonali (5.5) – Murphy (6), Isak (5), Gordon (5).

Nick Pope (7) – ‘He saves everything he has to: on Pobega, Giroud, Theo. When he doesn’t get there, Murphy saves him on the line. Pope with a halo.’

Kieran Tripper (7) – ‘He starts proactively, extending his attack in the first few minutes. Then he hides away, like everyone else, on the barricades.’

Sven Botman (6.5) – ‘Another armored door in front of Pope. Maldini had tried to bring him to Milan. He was needed, but yesterday Tomori swept his regrets into the stands. The Rossoneri is better.’

Fabian Schar (6.5) – ‘Tough performance, like a fighter. He rejects Giroud and everything that happens. Among the first creators of the point that made the Magpies happy. The wall held up well.’

Alexander Isak (5) – ‘In front of Ibra, his former national teammate, he doesn’t enchant. He tries to move backwards to find the ball, but Tomori always tears him apart.’