AC MILAN VICTORIOUS IN VENETO
Friendly
One week away from the start of the Serie A season, AC Milan beat Vicenza 6-1 and gave more positive signs ahead of the competitive campaign. The Rossoneri, who were wearing black armbands in memory of Villiam Vecchi, won thanks to a brace from Rebić and goals from Leão, Messias and Tomori, plus an own-goal from Dalmonte. Apart from the hosts' lightning start, Pioli's side put in a perfect performance and were clinical in front of goal. It was a brilliant display of attacking football and the Rossoneri's forwards looked in red-hot form, while the rest of the group also played their own parts very well.
The performance at the Stadio Menti was the culmination of some great preparation in pre-season. It was a good run-out against the Lega Pro side and the Rossoneri showed, once again, that they are in top form and ready for competitive action. We must also, of course, make a mention of De Ketelaere's debut, though a sour note was provided by an injury to Tonali, the extent of which is not yet fully known. Tomorrow, the Rossoneri play their final pre-season friendly as they host Pergolettese at Milanello and, then, it's one week of hard work on the cards in preparation for AC Milan v Udinese at San Siro next Saturday in Serie A.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LR VICENZA v AC MILAN
REPORT
It was the worst start imaginable for the Rossoneri, who found themselves a goal down inside 20 seconds. Begić's cross found Rolfini, who curled his effort into the top corner. AC Milan dusted themselves off and got down to work; Leão went close in the seventh minute before bringing the Diavolo level four minutes later. Released by Rebić, the Portuguese international turned it past the Vicenza goalkeeper. After the equaliser, the Rossoneri looked to complete the early turnaround and were led by Rebić, who had a go from distance in the 14th minute and then, two minutes later, sent a second effort over the crossbar. The goal came in the 21st minute: this time it was Leão who got the assist, while Messias stuck it in the back of the net. Then, the Diavolo scored twice in quick succession to put the game beyond the hosts. At the half-hour mark, Leão and Hernández combined before Theo set up Rebić to score. One minute later, Theo powered past the Vicenza defence and forced Dalmonte to turn it into his own net. Díaz then sent a free-kick well wide and Hernández was blocked inside the box, everyone was looking to get on the scoresheet.
The Biancorossi made a raft of changes to start the second half. The Diavolo was then hit by an injury to Tonali (muscle), though Tomori scored moments later from Bennacer's corner. The Rossoneri began to shift the ball around and control the tempo of the game. Pioli then made his own changes but that didn't affect the flow of the match. Rebić scored his second in the 64th minute as he went one-on-one with Brzan and finished calmly. De Ketelaere came on late on to make his AC Milan debut and, in the 79th, almost scored but he sent his shot into the side netting. The rain began to pour but the Rossoneri were smiling at full time.
MATCH DETAILS
LR VICENZA 1-6 AC MILAN
LR VICENZA (3-5-2): Brzan; Ierardi, Padella (46' Pasini), Bellich (46' Corradi); Dalmonte (64' Favero) (75' Djibril), Zonta (46' Jimenez), Cataldi (64' Manfredonia), Scarsella (46' Talarico), Begić (46' Oviszach); Rolfini (46' Giacomelli), Ferrari (46' Alessio) (80' Busatto). Subs: Confente, Grandi. Coach: Baldini.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer, Tonali (51' Krunić); Messias (59' Saelemaekers), Díaz (75' De Ketelaere), Leão; Rebić. Subs: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Florenzi, Gabbia; Adli, Pobega; Lazetić. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Monaldi from Macerata.
Goals: 1' Rolfini (V), 11' Leão (M), 21' Messias (M), 30' and 64' Rebić (M), 31' og Dalmonte (M), 50' Tomori (M).
Booked: 17' Cataldi (V), 71' Jimenez (V), 90' Djibril (V).
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