Real Madrid vs AC Milan: A Preseason Battle for Supremacy
Commencing their summer tour of the United States, Real Madrid faced off against Serie A powerhouse AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago on Wednesday night for a high-profile preseason friendly.
Los Blancos, led by manager Carlo Ancelotti, were eager to replicate their stellar 2023-24 campaign, while the Rossoneri, under new manager Paulo Fonseca, aimed to return to the summit of Italian football.
Real Madrid's Preseason Preparations
Wednesday night's match against AC Milan was Real Madrid's first high-profile contest since they lifted the Champions League trophy in May, securing their 15th European crown.
Ancelotti's side pulled off the standout deal of the summer transfer window with the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain. The French superstar will bolster Real Madrid's attacking prowess.
AC Milan's Renewed Ambitions
After a successful two-year stint at Lille, Paulo Fonseca returned to Italy to lead AC Milan. The Rossoneri are aiming to reclaim the Serie A title and have made some key signings, including Alvaro Morata and Malick Thiaw.
Chukwueze's Moment of Brilliance
AC Milan dominated the early stages of the match and deservedly took the lead in the 55th minute through Samuel Chukwueze. The Nigerian winger capitalized on a loose pass from Real Madrid's defense and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Lunin.
Despite Real Madrid's efforts to equalize, AC Milan held on to secure a 1-0 victory and extend their unbeaten run in the preseason.
The result is a positive sign for Fonseca's team as they prepare for the upcoming Serie A campaign. Real Madrid, on the other hand, will have some areas to address before the start of their competitive season.
Post-Match Reactions
AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca praised his team's performance, particularly their ability to convert their chances.
"We played very well tonight," said Fonseca. "We created a lot of chances and deserved to win. I'm happy with the team's progress so far in the preseason."
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his team was not at their best but remained confident ahead of the new season.
"We didn't play our best tonight," said Ancelotti. "But it's still early in the preseason, and we have plenty of time to improve. I'm confident that we will be ready for the start of the season."
What's Next?
Real Madrid will continue their preseason tour with matches against Barcelona and Chelsea before the start of their competitive action on August 14 against Atalanta BC in the UEFA Super Cup.
AC Milan will return to Italy for their final preseason fixture against Valencia before the start of the Serie A season on August 25 against Udinese.
Both teams will be hoping to carry the momentum from their preseason performances into the competitive season and challenge for major honors in 2024-25.
