BARCELONA WIN 1‑0 IN LAS VEGAS
AC Milan Tour
In front of 39,000 spectators at the Allegiant Stadium, the Rossoneri finished their US tour with a narrow defeat to Barcelona. Indeed, in Las Vegas, Ansu Fati decided a balanced affair with a fine 55th-minute strike that Maignan could do nothing about. Just like in their previous matches against Real Madrid and Juventus, the Rossoneri played in an open style, even if the Blaugrana did force them back at times with their passing. The team had chances - most notably through Reijnders and Leão - but a bit of precision in front of goal was missing.
The group will now return to Italy knowing there are plenty of positives to take from their US trip but also aspects they can improve on, like avoiding losing possession when they build from the back and making more of their opportunities. With less than three weeks to go until the start of the league season, the team weren't lacking in ideas and also showed character and progress from a physical perspective. There's still time to work, but things are heading in the right direction. Safe trip, Rossoneri, and see you back at Milanello soon.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v BARCELONA
MATCH REPORT
It was a good contest from the get-go in Las Vegas. Indeed, it was competitive and there was no holding back, with the referee issuing three yellow cards in the first half alone. Barcelona, wearing white shirts, made the brighter start and came close in the twelfth minute: Kounde hit the post from a corner and, on the rebound, Tomori produced a brilliant block to deny Torres. The Rossoneri, who'd been on the back foot, responded with a fine move that saw Loftus-Cheek set up Reijnders for an effort that was kept out by Peña. At the other end, Maignan was equal to an attempt from Raphinha, after which Tijjani once again threatened, this time with a cross-shot that finished narrowly wide. We also came close at the end of the half as Rafa dribbled past Kounde before unleashing an effort that was just too close to the goalkeeper.
The second half started with another Leão attempt; his curler ended just over the bar. Barcelona then opened the scoring in the 55th minute through Ansu Fati, who got the better of Florenzi and picked out the far corner with a right-footed finish. Ten minutes later, Araujo headed into the net, but it was ruled out for offside. The Rossoneri had a big opportunity with 15 minutes of normal time to go: Rafa found an onrushing Tijjani, who failed to direct the ball on target from a good position. As the match drew to a close, Bartesaghi made a great block to stop the Blaugrana from doubling their advantage. AC Milan went back on the attack but weren't able to grab an equaliser: it finished 1-0 to Barça.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 0-1 BARCELONA
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Florenzi (64' Kalulu), Thiaw (72' Kjær), Tomori (86' Saelemaekers), Hernández (80' Bartesaghi); Loftus-Cheek, Krunić (72' Pobega), Reijnders; Pulisic (72' Romero), Giroud (72' Colombo), Leão. Subs.: Mirante, Sportiello; Simić; Adli, Zeroli; De Ketelaere, Traorè. Coach: Pioli.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Peña; Kounde (67' Dest), García (84' Garrido), Araujo (84' Faye), M. Alonso (46' Balde) (84' Valle); Pedri (46' de Jong), Romeu (80' Casadó), Fermín (46' S. Roberto); Raphinha (67' Yamal), F. Torres (46' Lewandowski), Abde (46' Fati). Subs.: Astralaga, Ter Stegen; Christensen, Dembelé, Gavi, Gündoğan, Kessie, Lenglet, Martínez. Coach: Xavi.
Referee: Alex Chilowicz (USA).
Goal: 55' Fati (B)
Booked: 7' M. Alonso (B), 29' Loftus-Cheek (M), 43' Reijnders (M)
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