Milan 2–0 Monza Player Ratings: Joao Felix Stars in an Easy Win for Milan to Close the Serie A Season

João Félix starred for AC Milan as they cruised to a 2-0 victory against Monza at a subdued San Siro. The game had no significance table-wise as it was pretty much a dead rubber. Milan dominated the game but could only take a lead in the second half through Matteo Gabbia's header. San Siro was vacated by ultras who boycotted their side by then, João Felix then scored a free kick to seal the result as they moved to 7th in the table.

AC Milan's league campaign has gone as badly as it could go. Except for the Super Coppa Italian triumph in January, they barely had any joy in the league or the Champions League. They had the risk of finishing outside the top 7 after 2015 if they failed to win all three points on the final matchday. With key players injured and suspended, Sergio Conceicao, who might not be in the dugout next season, named a strong enough lineup to get the job done. It could be the final game in a Milan shirt for Tijjani Reijnders, who is generating great interest from foreign clubs.

Monza took a short trip across the E64 to arrive at the San Siro. Alessandro Nesta's side was guaranteed to finish at the bottom of the table this season. A comfortable two-season stay came to an end as the legendary ex-AC Milan defender couldn't help his to keep their top-flight status. They suffered their first relegation from the top flight in their history. They had nothing but pride to play for on the night, but Nesta knew his ex-home ground wont be an easy venue to thrive in.

The hosts started the game strongly through a fierce effort from João Felix, who tested the opposition goalkeeper. Centre-back Strahinja Pavlovic stepped up to take a free kick that was wonderfully saved by the keeper. Monza then responded by emerging forward and hitting the post through Samuele Birindelli. Keita Balde, too, had a great headed opportunity that he spurned.

It marked an eventful 15 minutes of the game, as the ever-reliant Milan Ultras vacated the ground as a symbol of protest against their side's poor performance. This left the iconic San Siro half empty and eerily mute. This didn't faze the home side that dominated the ball and created opportunities through Christian Pulisic.

They were lacking a cutting edge, though, as they failed to beat the goalkeeper in inspired form. Monza though they delivered the sucker punch before the break as Balde rifled a volley home. But the striker's fine finish was chalked off due to an offside. The visitors were increasingly put under pressure but managed to hold on till the break.

Milan introduced a couple of substitutes at halftime to completely turn the tide of the game. The starlet Francesco Camarda was causing a lot of trouble as Milan edged ever closer to scoring. Matteo Gabbia finally got the long overdue breakthrough as he rose the highest to convert a Samuel Chukwueze corner. The centre-back did a muted celebration to not rile the protesting crowd at the stadium.

Monza's evening was getting worse by the minute as the ever-dangerous Felix scored in back-to-back matches. The Portuguese playmaker curled a sumptuous free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of the keeper, who was frantically diving. The goal killed the game and was just a formality heading into the final 15 minutes. The hosts saw it out without any hiccups to end the season with a win.

AC Milan ended the campaign with a fine performance. They move to the 7th position temporarily, but that could easily change when Lazio finishes their final game. Rossoneri would love to shop prudently and have a better campaign next time out. Monza, meanwhile, ended their terrible season with another defeat on the road. They will be looking to bounce back strongly from Serie B next season.

Here are the Milan vs Monza Player Ratings.

Milan Player Ratings vs Monza

GK - Mike Maignan-6.5/10

Had the post come to his rescue when he was beaten first up. Thankfully, the offside flag saved him during the other occasion. Pulled off a fabulous save to keep his clean sheet late in the game.

CB - Fikayo Tomori-7/10

Played as a right-back and found himself defending the channels. He was pretty much a third centre-back in a back three and almost always stayed with the defence.

CB - Matteo Gabbia-8/10

Scored a sensational header to open the scoring. Drove his side forward with accurate long passes from behind. Did his job defensively with solid blocks and interceptions as well.

CB - Strahinja Pavlovic-7.5/10

Stepped up and curled an excellent free kick that was brilliantly saved. He was an absolute menace in the box as he dealt with everything coming in.

LB - Davide Bartesaghi-7/10

The 19-year-old started thanks to Theo Hernandes' unavailability. He showed he could replace the Frenchman's tenacity in attack and defence during his one-hour stay on the pitch.

DM - Ruben Loftus-Cheek-7.5/10

Played a conservative role in the middle of the park as he stayed behind during his team's attacks. Bridged the gap between the attack and defence with neat turns and passes.

DM - Tijjani Reijnders-8/10

In what could be his final game for AC Milan, he put in another effective shift. Joined the final third a lot, knowing he could track back with ease if needed. Came close to scoring a couple of times with good efforts.

RW - Yunus Musah-6/10

He was very anonymous in the attack as the ball gravitated to Milan's left wing. Had only one shot that barely threatened the goalkeeper.

CAM - Joao Felix-8.5/10

Playing his best football for the club towards the back end of the season, he scored a fantastic free kick. Had a couple of fantastic shots where he should've scored to make it an even more impressive outing.

LW - Chrtistian Pulisic-7.5/10

Ran the show in the attack as he received the ball in the dangerous areas and either created or got shots away with ease. He was unlucky not to register anything tangible.

ST- Luka Jovic-6/10

The striker was starved of service as he failed to link up with the players behind him. He was barely involved in the first 45 minutes he played as he completed only 4 passes and had 0 shots.

SUB - Francesco Camarda-6/10

SUB - Samuel Chukwueze-6/10

Picked up an assist with a fine inswinging corner.

SUB - Alex Jimenez-6/10

SUB - Youssouf Fofana-6/10

SUB - -6/10

Manager - Sergio Conceicao-6/10

Maximised his side's threat in the absence of usual heavy hitters like Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez. Showed he could use back three and back four simultaneously to good effect.

Monza Player Ratings vs Milan

GK - Semuel Pizzignacco-6.5/10

Pulled off some great saves early on, but he couldn't step up in the second half as he failed to keep key strikes out.

CB - Pedro Pereira-5.5/10

Lost Gabbia as he shrugged him off with ease to score the opener. Was dragged out of position by Pulisic regularly.

CB - Luca Caldirola-5/10

The veteran defender didn't have the best of nights as he was run ragged by João Felix and co. Lost plenty of duels as they lived dangerously on the edge of their box.

CB - Andrea Carboni-5.5/10

Lunged in very rashly into a tackle that was ignored by everyone, including the referee. He was keeping his flank tidy thanks to some good tackles.

RM - Samuele Birindelli-7/10

Provided a bright spot in attack as he hit the post after a good run. Showed the same intensity in defence as well.

CM - Alessandro Bianco-5.5/10

He was turned around easily by the opposition midfield as Reijnders ran past him easily. Failed to impact the attack at all.

CM - Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro-6.5/10

He could hold his own in the middle of the park thanks to his physicality. Tried a few ambitious passes, but they didn't always come off. Was met with a great save from Maignan following a corner.

LM - Giorgos Kyriakopoulos-6/10

Was rooted to defence pretty much in the game. Chukuwueze gave him an incredibly hard time as he was skinned multiple times.

RF - Patrick Ciurria-5.5/10

Created a few good chances early in the game as he snuck into the box. His influence varied with time as Milan grew dominant.

ST - Keita Balde-6.5/10

Had a good header first up and an even better volley that found the net. But the referee intervened to rule the volley out for offside.

LF - Gianluca Caprari-5.5/10

He was well handled by the fullbacks of Milan as he neither had any good passes nor shots.

SUB - Gateano Castrovilli-6/10

SUB - Stefano Sensi-6/10

SUB - Armando Izzo-6/10

SUB - Andrea Petagna-6/10

SUB - Andrea Mazza-6/10

Manager - Alessandro Nesta-4/10

Failed to set his side up despite knowing the wing overloads Milan would create. They were toothless in attack as well to taste their 26th league defeat of the season and finish at the bottom of the table.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Joao Felix