AC MILAN 2‑0 NOVARA: SUSO AND CALABRIA SCORE

Positive start of the season for coach Gattuso’s boys who played and won the first match of the summer. The Rossoneri defeated Novara 2-0 at Milanello thanks to the goals scored by Suso and Calabria. It’s the first important test for the boys – who start to intensify their pre-season preparations – ahead of the US Tour in which Manchester United, Tottenham and Barcelona will compete against us for the International Champions Cup 2018. Since these are not easy opponents, coach Gattuso prompted his team to play at high intensity for all 90 minutes against Novara. Besides determining the match, Suso and Calabria played well on the right wing creating trouble and combining well with one another. Kessie too gave a positive performance imposing his physical strength in the midfield. Moreover, the defence played a solid game in which only a few chances were conceded. Besides winning the match, the Rossoneri showed they are in good form and after the two goals scored concluded another positive day at Milanello.

SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY OF THE FRIENDLY MATCH AT MILANELLO

THE MATCH REPORT

Coach Gattuso fields his team in a 4-3-3 system, just as he did in almost every match last season. Captain Bonucci started as a central defender and Patrick Cutrone up front as the most offensive player. It’s precisely our number 63 who has the first clear-cut opportunity of the match but despite Kessie’s fine pass, Patrick can’t make it count. In the 23’, Suso steps up to take a free kick from close range and scores the first goal of the season. Only one minute later, Borini misses the chance to double the lead as he fails to assist Bertolacci who was ready to score. The Rossoneri keep pushing forward and in the 42’ find the reward. Kessie strikes, is denied by the goalkeeper and Calabria finds the net on the rebound. In the second half, Suso makes a great cross but Cutrone can’t just tap the ball in. Towards the end of the match, Calhanoglu tries a cross-shot but Benedettini makes a fantastic intervention to clear the danger. In the 81’, once again our number 10 finds Tsadjout inside the box and the young Rossonero almost makes it three but the score remains the same.

AC MILAN 2-0 NOVARA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Calabria, Bonucci, Musacchio, Antonelli (46' Abate); Kessie, Locatelli (64' Montolivo), Bertolacci (46' Mauri); Suso, Cutrone (64' Kalinic), Borini (46' Calhanoglu). Subs: A. Donnarumma, Mauri, Llamas, Brescianini, Torrasi, Tsadjout, Dias, Bellodi, Romagnoli. Coach: Gattuso.

NOVARA (4-3-1-2): Benedetti; Tartaglia (46' Migliavacca), Bove, Chiosa, Vinsconti (46' Armeno); Sciaudone, Ronaldo (46' Collodel), Nardi (46' Fonseca); Schiavi, Simeri (46' Maniero), Stoppa (46' Peralta). Subs: Ragone, Drago, Fido, Cordea, Kanis, Arario. Coach: Viali.

Referee: Simone Sozza.
Goals: 23' Suso (M), 42' Calabria (M).

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