AC Milan kicked off their Soccer Champions Tour 2024 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Manchester City at Yankee Stadium in New York. Under the watchful eye of owner Gerry Cardinale, the Rossoneri delivered an impressive performance, highlighted by a brace from Lorenzo Colombo and a crucial goal from Marco Nasti.
The match was not just about the scoreline; it also marked the debut of Milan's new away kit by PUMA, which the team unveiled for the second half. However, the excitement was slightly dampened by an injury to Alessandro Florenzi, who suffered a blow to his knee.
The pre-season is shaping up positively for AC Milan, particularly with the attacking play showing real promise. The squad, featuring a blend of youth and experience, stood out against a revamped Manchester City team that still boasted the pedigree of English champions. Alexis Saelemaekers' performance was particularly noteworthy, adding depth to Milan's attack.
Match Overview
The game started with Milan quickly finding their rhythm. In the 8th minute, Ruben Loftus-Cheek forced Ederson into action with a sharp shot. Just ten minutes later, Samuel Chukwueze fired over after a clever pass from Saelemaekers. However, it was Manchester City who opened the scoring, with Haaland placing the ball in the top corner in the 19th minute after a well-placed pass from Bobb. The Norwegian striker nearly doubled City's lead in the 27th minute, but his shot went over the bar.
Milan responded swiftly through the Chukwueze-Colombo combination. In the 30th minute, Chukwueze delivered a perfect cross that Colombo headed in to equalize. Just four minutes later, the duo struck again, with Colombo completing his brace with a low volley. Despite some dangerous moments from Haaland, Milan's defense held firm, and the teams went into the break with Milan leading 2-1.
The second half saw Manchester City come out more aggressively, and they equalized in the 55th minute with McAtee, who headed in a precise cross from Hamilton. With both teams making substitutions, the game opened up more, and fatigue began to show. But Milan found the winning goal in the 78th minute when Nasti, who had pressed hard, finally beat Ederson with a well-placed shot, assisted by Saelemaekers.
Manchester City pushed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, but could not overcome Milan's defense. The final whistle marked a 3-2 victory for Milan.
What's Next
AC Milan will continue their Soccer Champions Tour in the United States with upcoming matches against Real Madrid in Chicago and Barcelona in Baltimore. The victory over Manchester City sets a positive tone for the remainder of the pre-season as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Serie A campaign.
