AC Milan began their preseason tour in the best possible way as they beat Manchester City at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night.
Paulo Fonseca named a starting line-up that was mixed in terms of senior and academy players, with the likes of Lorenzo Torriani, Filippo Terracciano and Lorenzo Colombo all getting the nod.
In the 19th minute it was Manchester City who took the lead and it was Haaland who got the goal. After a mistake in trying to build out from the back possession was seized by the Premier League champions and the Norwegian fired home with a first time shot.
Rather worryingly, Alessandro Florenzi was forced to make way after the goal went in. He took a tumble after losing possession and hobbled to the sideline visibly distraught.
Right on the half-hour mark Milan were level as Lorenzo Colombo opened his account in preseason. Samuel Chukwueze found the space to cross on the right and the striker was on hand to head home powerfully from six yards out.
Four minutes later it was 2-1 to Milan. Oscar Bobb had just missed a one-on-one at the other end but Colombo made no mistake from close range, once again beating Emerson with what was a volley from inside the box as Chukwueze got another assist.
There was a kit change at half-time as the Rossoneri came out for the second half in their new white away shirt. Ten minutes into the new half it was 2-2 when a great bit of play from Hamilton saw him get past Calabria and cross for McAtee who scored all alone in the area.
Just as it looked as though the game was heading for a draw, Marco Nasty was the unlikely hero of the bench in the 78th minute. Saelemaekers fed him from the right and his right-footed shot first time beat Emerson and found the bottom corner.
In the second half the likes of Mattia Liberali, Alex Jimenez, Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and Andrea Bakoune all got a run out.
Yet one of the reasons why we have to trust our own products more.
Milan should try to believe in Colombo. The talent already there…
He is a goal scorer. He just needs decent service. But he’s still far from being a starter but I’d keep him as the 3rd choice (although wouldn’t be surprised if he overtook Jovic).
Believe in Colombo to sit for 4/5 of the season and hope he might make an impact when he does play?
That’s a long shot and kinda unfair to the kid. He needs gametime to evolve his game
Colombo style of play is more of old fashion Italian strikers like Vieri inzaghi Gilladino and need attacker and winger who are not greedy that can serve him well
This match was played at half speed, that’s why Colombo was effective. He’s too slow to make it as a top striker.
Yeah, super-fast Giroud scored closer to 20 goals last season. Pace really is everything these days, right? 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀