AC Milan made it two wins from two out in the United States as they beat European champions Real Madrid 1-0 at Soldier Field in Chicago on Wednesday night.
It wasn’t quite the classic that the Manchester City game was in New York on Saturday night – at least in terms of end product – but there were once again some very positive signs from a youthful Milan side.
Samuel Chukwueze got the only goal of the game 10 minutes after the restart as he buried Mattia Liberali’s feed past Andriy Lunin, and in truth Paulo Fonseca’s men missed other chances to add some gloss to the scoreline.
Nonetheless, it was another important exercise and some very valuable minutes in the legs as that first game against Torino draws closer. We have picked out three key takeaways from the game.
Gems shine bright
It is impossible not to be impressed by the character and personality that Milan’s youngest players showed during the win against Los Blancos, and the one who stole the show was Liberali.
The 17-year-old was given a start by Fonseca and he had no problem getting involved in the playmaker role, showing good dribbling, smart passing and that he can use that low centre of gravity to evade pressure. Getting an assist for the goal was the least he deserved.
Marco Nasti didn’t get on the ball too much but did fire a shot on target that Thibaut Courtois saved well, while at the other end Lorenzo Torriani once again demonstrated so much confidence on the ball. The 19-year-old will be impressing Fonseca, and is likely to remain as the third-choice keeper.
Then it was the turn of the substitutes. Alex Jimenez came on at left-back and looked very lively indeed, darting forward on a number of occasions to demonstrate his lightning pace, while also tidying up defensive on a couple of occasions too.
Francesco Camarda got a small portion at the end of the game and even he showed some bright signs, getting on the ball and participating in the build-up, showing that he is beginning to leverage his big frame to good effect.
😨 Mattia Liberali we are MOVED
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) August 1, 2024
Spoilt for choice
We wrote just over a week ago about how the USA tour was a chance for some players to stake a claim, not only for a starting spot but also to show the management that they should not be considered for sale.
Although he was probably not an exit candidate, Samu Chukwueze comes into this season with a point to prove and after getting two assists against Manchester City, he was the match-winner in Chicago. The Nigerian was bright, proactive and could have had another assist for Christian Pulisic.
On the other flank Alexis Saelemaekers put in a performance that was perhaps not as polished as the first two friendlies but again showed how useful he can be at both ends with his dribbling and coverage. We might now be able to consider him Rafael Leao’s deputy.
The midfield double pivot featured Ismael Bennacer, a player who could find himself starting less if the linked new signings arrived. However, the Algerian looked much sharper and should have notched an assist but for the crossbar denying Malick Thiaw’s header.
Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw are under scrutiny to cut out errors while also being the ones who start the ‘Fonseca-ball’ moves, and after a couple of scares they both looked quite solid. Tomori charged up from the line to cut out the ball and find Liberali for the goal, while Thiaw was aerially dominant.
Clues about roles
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was in a deeper role than usual and it seemed to suit him more. He is far better as someone who can carry the ball from deep and isn’t relied upon constantly for end product, so that will give Fonseca food for thought moving forward.
Saelemaekers played on the left again as mentioned, while Christian Pulisic came on as an attacking midfielder after a report suggested Fonseca might use him there more often. He really should have put away the chance he was presented by Chukwueze after he found him in behind, though the chemistry was good to see.
Pierre Kalulu came on as a full-back, not a centre-back, which is again something that was indicated as being a possibility based on training. However, it is worth remembering that Alessandro Florenzi was out injured, Filippo Terracciano started on the left, Jimenez took over there and Adam Bakoune came on late, so perhaps this isn’t as concrete an indication.
Finally, one of the most interesting cameos came from Yunus Musah. Brought on in the double pivot, he skilfully evaded pressure on a couple of occasions, wowing the crowd with a roulette and looking like he could well be a solution in that role, even if the mercato might yet provide further resources.
People reading way too much into pre-season friendlies against other team’s B-side. Calm down with the Chuku and Saleamakers hype. If we go by this we will be starting Saleamakers on the left and Chuku on the right and a 17 year old Liberali at the 10. I wouldn’t mess with what worked well which is having Pulisic on the right. He earned that spot with his play on the pitch in actual real games. CHuku is a good option off the bench if we need a goal and Saleamakers is a good option when protecting a lead. Having a strong bench is a good thing. Not everyone needs to start.
Chuku is not hype he is just that good. Last year he wasn’t given confidence or a real opportunity. He’s always played extremely well against Madrid as he did for Villarreal. Puli should be starting at CAM which Fonseca seems to have attacking sense unlike Pioli wasting your best offensive talents on the bench to start RLC at CAM is comical.
We can’t keep both Sael and Okafor either sell one or loan him out. Otherwise will be difficult for them to get any playing time.
They can shift Pulisic to 10 from game-to-game, if Jovic leaves Okafor can also play as ST and Nasti can be the 3rd option after Morata and whoever we sign. You can create time for them by some small rotations.
Imagine us getting alvaro and not trusting okafor… Wild given last year’s performances
Pellegatti said that Roma wants either Saelemaekers or Okafor in exchange for Abraham.
Okafor is obviously the better forward, while Saelemakers is the more versatile player.
I would give Roma Okafor plus up to 10 mil in exchange for Tammy.
I like Okafor but he is getting injured getting out of bed.
He missed over 2 months because of several injuries last season. Missed 4 months the previous season. 2 and a half months in 21/22. Another 3 months in 20/21. Almost 2 months in 19/20. Another month in 18/19.
Best ability is availability.
One of them is coming off a bad injury while the other is injury prone. So both players are risks for both teams.
Tammy just came back from 1 year injury….
I had really low expectations for this US tour and was worried we would be badly embarrassed.
I know we are playing other teams missing stars too but I assumed they had much better depth than us.
Credit to Fonseca for how he has got confidence into these players.
The young players give me confidence that in a few years we won’t have this constant concern about filling the list quotas for Italian trained and academy trained players.
As to this latest game. I found the improvement in Thiaw and Tomori the most pleasing.
Why Abraham
Unless the current management thinks 5m is big achievement for academy player to sell.
Let the Pulisic hate Begin. The most Hated player in Europe!
I believe I saw Pulisic go to ground to block a potential goal. No mention from commentators on ESPN
The writer makes it sound like Pulisic missed a tap in. It was a difficult play to make. Full sprint, ball waist high and just hit his toe at a full stretch. Not an easy play, it would have been a great play to score.
Milan should play 433. With RLC, Reijnder, Musah, Pobega as Mezzala. Bennacer and Adli as Regista. Pulisic and Samu as RW. Leao and Okafor as LW. Morata and Jovic as CF. Saele as back up R/LW. Okafor can also play as CF. No issue in backline. Kalulu as RB with Calabria. Theo and Jimenez/Torraciano as LB. Tomori, Thiaw, Gabbia and Pavlovic as CB. Our squad is completed.
I leave Abraham where he is and shifts Okafor to become striker and use Jovic to deputies both Noah and Morata while salameakers deputies Leao end of story. We don’t need Abraham for anything.
I believe with the Fonseca style of play we don’t need any more signings. The squad is complete. Playing RLC as one of the two holding midfielder with his characteristics will be great. Chukwu can alternate with salameakers, Leao with okafor, pulisic as CAM and Liberali or Adli as back up, morata as ST Jovic as back up then camarda or nasti as third choice
“Not relied upon constantly for end product” ?
With goals last season 🔥