AC Milan fell to a 2-1 defeat in their first friendly match in Dubai against Arsenal at the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, with goals from Odegaard and Nkietah enough to make Tomori’s header a mere consolation.
Calciomercato.com have picked out three impressive performers from the game, starting with Yacine Adli. He was always in the heart of the action, playing the ball with confidence and whipping in a perfect cross for Origi who wasted the big chance. He found and exploited passing lanes, and though he dropped in intensity in the second half, there were positive signs.
Sandro Tonali also deserved praise for the way he pressed Arsenal’s main and most dangerous ball carriers, while he provided a moment of quality to find Tomori for the goal that made it 2-1.
Aster Vranckx was in front of the defense and did an excellent job as a screen at the start of the match. He read the game situations well, raising the pressure at the right times, and while something is still missing from a build-up play point of view it should come with time.
Now we move to flops, starting with Ciprian Tatarusanu who did not even try to stop Odegaard’s free-kick, instead staying stuck to his line. His giveaway of possession for the second goal shows the now insecurity that led Milan to sign Marco Sportiello for next season.
Matteo Gabbia also struggled with the pace and physicality of Eddie Nkietah, who did what he wanted at times, and finally Ante Rebic seemed to have ‘heavy legs’. He made bad choices in almost every situation, showed little chemistry with his team-mates and didn’t manage a single shot.
