AC Milan take on Real Madrid in their second game of the 2024 Soccer Champions Tour in the United States, and Paulo Fonseca has named his starting line-up.
Milan began their USA tour on Saturday night with a 3-2 victory against Manchester City at the Yankee Stadium. Although it was only a friendly, there were a lot of positives from the game and one of them was what was seen from the younger players.
Marco Nasti got the winner in that game and he leads the line given that Lorenzo Colombo – who scored a brace in the first half – has now moved to Empoli. Alexis Saelemaekers and Samuel Chukwueze keep their place on the wings, with Mattia Liberali the playmaker.
Alessandro Florenzi’s serious knee injury means he makes way for Tommaso Pobega compared to the XI that started against City, while Ismael Bennacer partners him.
The back four of Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Filippo Terracciano in front of Primavera goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani remains the same.
Official Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Torriani; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Terracciano; Bennacer, Loftus-Cheek; Chukwueze, Liberali, Saelemaekers; Nasti.
Bench: Nava, Raveyre, Bakoune, Gabbia, Álex Jiménez, Kalulu, Musah, Pobega, Zeroli, Cuenca, Pulisic, Camarda, Jović.
Official Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Vallejo, Rédiger, Fran Garcia; Madrid, Martin, Ceballos; Guler, Endrick, Brahim.
Bench: Lunin, Fran González, Nico Paz, Latasa, Palacios, Jacobo Ramón, Lorenzo, Obrador, Álvaro Rodríguez, Asencio, Jeremy de León, Joán Martínez, Rodrygo.
Wow about time loftus is tried in the defensive mid role
I see poeple are betting on Real Madrid. Almost 80% of ’em.
Who is betting on a pre season friendly game?
Anything can be made into a betting,but it was just people’s prediction.
Pobega starting? Or RLC ?
The lineup and the article don’t match.
According to Google sports it is RLC starting in midfield in a 4231.
But they also have Liberali on the left and Saelemaekers as the CAM….
So who knows yet.
Position isn’t always right at Google, but the lineup is mostly right.
So RLC start…
Hopefully we will give a decent showing.
I have noticed that too with Google match data.
Re Pobega listed in the article. I think Ollie Fischer might be on the sauce again for these preseason games!
Good lineup
That’s a strong starting XI by Real but only their first friendly I think. So far nice movements by us
Quite strong but their bckline is by no means first team.
Our forwards are so wasteful… 3 big chances missed, if our forwards were more clinical we already got 2-3 goals.
Torriani looked calm and collected at GK, which is good. Liberali also decent.
Only Rudiger and their GK are from their first team. They mainly play their second squad here but still better then City youngsters.
One wonderful thing I have see in Fonseca’s style that’s making me the most happy is how organized our midfield looks. Much better than that 0 midfield organization Pioli employed for 3 years. Still preseason but I like the tactics I’m seeing so far. Fingers crossed.
I like our young goalie too. Maybe use him as our backup and let him turn into a star like a certain young 16 yr old goalie we once had. lol.
If the first half is a sign of how we will play under Fonseca then I really like the consistent urgency our players shows and how well we move for eachother to keep possession.. Torriani also impresses me in his composure.
I don’t see Adli on the bench 🤔
Yeah good spot.
Saelemaekers looks more versatile useful to the squad at this point.
Should be a clear signal that he don’t have place in our squad.
He is a creative player but limited in ability and physicality.
Liberali to Chuck! Let’s go!
Chuk goal!
Make Jimenez the starting rb!
They didn’t have their first team? Neither did we. I can’t help but say I like what Fonseca is doing, but lets see if it continues.