THREE WINS FROM THREE IN THE USA
AC Milan Tour
On a roll. Our trip to the USA comes to a close with a third win from as many games. Tonight's victim was Barcelona who, in front of 51,000 spectators and the M&T Bank Stadium, went down on penalties after an entertaining 90 minutes. The Rossoneri's 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes (Jović and Pulisic) gave way to the Blaugrana's fightback thanks to a Lewandowski brace. It was an even game with plenty of chances in the first half, while the second held a slightly slower pace and the odd error. More good signs for Paulo Fonseca, then, especially a first look at Leão and Okafor, Pulisic's good form and an impressive Torriani in goal.
The shot-stopper, born in 2005, made two decisive saves against Raphinha and one to deny Lewa before keeping out Junyent and Faye's spot-kicks. The Rossoneri emerged from the shoot-out victorious, following a largely convincing performance. The offensive phase in the first half produced flashes of quality and some interesting combinations, while there are still some tweaks to be made at the back. After taking on Manchester City, Real Madrid and now Barcelona, the team will return to Italy for two days off. They will then get back to work ahead of their upcoming fixtures: the Trofeo Berlusconi on 13 August and Serie A opening day against Torino on the 17th. Avanti Diavolo!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM BARCELONA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The teams came flying out of the traps. The Rossoneri looked to get straight on the front foot and, in the 10th minute, took the lead through Jović, the Serbian getting on the end of Pulisic's ball in following a great move involving Musah and Chukwueze. Five minutes later, AC Milan had their second, this time through Pulisic who picked the ball on the byline after some interplay with Rafa before surprising Ter Stegen from a tight angle: 2-0. Barça looked to hit back and threatened in the 18th minute with a strong effort from Raphinha, saved well by Torriani. The Blaugrana did halve the deficit with a brilliant strike from Lewandowski into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area (22'). The young man in the Milan goal made two good saves to deny Raphinha (23') and Lewandowski (29'). Late in the half, Chukwueze carved out a wonderful chance but failed to beat Ter Stegen.
Calabria and Bennacer came out for the second half in place of Leão and Jović. The Blaugrana were clearly in the ascendancy after the break and equalised on the hour mark, Lewandowski again with the goal. More chances for the Rossoneri: Adli on as well as Okafor - his first appearance of the season - who fired off target moments after coming on. Barcelona eased up on the high press, the tempo of the game dropped and chances became hard to come by. Onto the shoot-out: Torriano saved two, including Faye's final shot, and we won! Our tour to the USA finished with three wins from three matches. Now, back to Italy and back to work.
MATCH DETAILS
BARCELLONA 5-6 AC MILAN after pens. (2-2)
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (61' Peña); Valle (46' Kounde), Lenglet (61' Martínez), Domínguez (78' A. Cuenca), Martín (78' Faye); Casadó (78' Olmedo), Christensen (46' Bernal), Gündoğan (46' Junyent); Víctor (87' T. Fernández), Lewandowski (78' Roque), Raphinha (78' G. Fernández). Subs.: Astralaga; Araujo, Balde, Torre, Darvich, Unai, Fort, Kochen. Coach: Flick.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Torriani; Saelemaekers, Tomori (78' Gabbia), Thiaw (87' Kalulu), Terracciano (78' Jiménez); Loftus-Cheek (87' Zeroli), Musah (62' Adli); Chukwueze (78' H. Cuenca), Pulisic (62' Okafor), Leão (46' Calabria); Jović (46' Bennacer). Subs.: Nava, Raveyre; Liberali, Pobega; Camarda. Coach.: Fonseca.
Referee: Victor Rivas (USA)
Goal: 10' Jović (M), 15' Pulisic (M), 22' Lewandowski (B), 59' Lewandowski (B)
Referee: 37' Martín (B), 46' Saelemaekers (M), 69' Casadó (B), 84' Junyent (B), 86' G. Fernández (B), 89' Bennacer (M)
Penalties: Bennacer (M) saved, Kounde (B) out, Calabria (M) goal, Junyent (B) saved, Okafor (M) goal, Bernal (B) goal, Kalulu (M) out, T. Fernández (B) goal, Adli (M) goal, Roque (B) goal, Zeroli (M) goal, Faye (B) saved.
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