FIRST TEST PASSED: 7‑0 AGAINST LUMEZZANE
Friendly
On the pitch again. AC Milan had been missing for a month and a half, and in the meantime, lots has changed: The season for starters. At Milanello, ten days before the start of the preparation, the first friendly was played. Every debut is always special, awaited, and important. And not every test must be passed with flying colours. Today’s test was an hour of play with some missing squad members with little preparation. A match, however, to be recorded in the 2023/24 season film, with a win, beating Lumezzane, fresh from their promotion to the Lega Pro.
In the 7-0 win, the 4-3-3 formation, Pobega and Colombo’s braces, Messias, Romero and Zeroli’s goals, Pulisic’s assists, Loftus-Cheek’s contributions and the Primavera must all be noted. In general, the team appeared to be in good shape. On Friday, the Rossoneri fly to America for the Soccer Champions Tour 2023. From California to Nevada, the Diavolo will land in the USA to take part in the prestigious tournament, where they will face great opponents: Starting with Real Madrid, on Sunday 23 July at 19:00 (Monday 24 at 04:00 CEST in Italy) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
MILAN-LUMEZZANE GALLERY
THE REPORT
Ready, steady… Pulisic: in the third minute, he got free on the right and hit the post, in the 5th minute he provided an assist for Pobega, who slotted it into the net. Milan continued to attack: in the 7th minute, Loftus-Cheek’s shot from distance was parried by Filigheddu, in the 9th minute, Pulisic’s left-footed strike was saved by the goalkeeper. Lumezzane were also present, in the 14th minute Sportiello had to save a close-range deflection from a corner. Messias in the 15th minute struck over the bar but the Rossoneri broke through again in the 17th minute. Practically a photocopy of the first goal: Pulisic cut it back for Pobega to finish for the third. Messias played a starring role again moments later, dribbling through the defence and scoring. Three, and we didn’t have to wait long for the next: In the 20th minute, Colombo took advantage of a Lumezzane mistake, taking part in the goal-fest. In the 27th minute, a Biancorosso break which ended with Capelli’s header striking the crossbar. Half-time.
Romero took Messias’ place for the second half. The Argentine was quick to show off and in the 41st minute, after a couple of unsuccessful runs from Calabria and Pulisic, he picked up the ball and provided an assist to Colombo, who was precise in his aim for the corner. The line-ups changed after the round of substitutions, but the script of the match remained the same. The Rossoneri found lots of space to operate in the wide areas and created lots of chances: 47’ Filigheddu blocked Malaspina’s shot from the edge of the box, 50’ and 54’ Romero flashes but no goal, on 61’ Malaspina came up short again. In the final minutes, il Diavolo improved and rounded off the scoreline: 65 minutes with Romero's penalty (Compaore's foul on Traorè), who passed the ball beyond the goalkeeper, and in the 67th minute with Zeroli's shot from just a few yards out. Final whistle.
THE LINEUPS
MILAN-LUMEZZANE 7-0
MILAN (4-3-3): Sportiello (15' s.h. Mirante), Calabria (15' s.h. Simić), Gabbia (15' s.h. Paloschi), Tomori (15' s.h. Nsiala), Florenzi (15' s.h. Bartesaghi); Loftus-Cheek (15' s.h. Zeroli), Krunić (15' s.h. Adli), Pobega (15' s.h. Malaspina); Messias (1' s.h. Romero), Colombo (15' s.h. Longhi), Pulisic (15' s.h. Traorè). Unused.: Nava; Magni; Cuenca, Siman. Coach: Pioli.
LUMEZZANE (4-3-3): Filigheddu (32' s.h. Bellissima); Tortelli, Dalmazzi (15' s.h. Pisano), Pogliano (15' s.h. Filippini), Regazzetti (32' s.h. Serpa); Poledri (1' s.h. Gambarini), Pesce (15' s.h. Resinelli), Calì (15' s.h. Scanzi); Malotti (15' s.h. Folli), Capelli (15' s.h. Senatore), Spini (15' s.h. Compaore). Coach.: Franzini.
Referee: Colombo
Goals: 5' and 17' Pobega (M), 18' Messias (M), 20' and 11's.h. Colombo (M), 35's.h. pen. Romero (M), 37's.h. Zeroli (M).
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