Real Madrid's New Star Endrick Impresses in Debut, but AC Milan Emerges Victorious

AC Milan's pre-season tour continued on a positive note as they edged out Real Madrid in a friendly match played at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Rossoneri secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half strike from Samuel Chukwueze, who continues to impress in the early stages of the new season.

Endrick's Debut and Ancelotti's Assessment

The match provided an early glimpse of Real Madrid's new signing, Endrick, who made his debut for the Spanish giants. The Brazilian forward, widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football, came on in the first half and showcased his technical ability and speed. Despite limited touches, Endrick made a positive impression, combining well with his teammates and creating dangerous chances. While he didn't find the back of the net, his performance caught the eye of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was impressed by the 18-year-old's potential.

"He [Endrick] is someone who has something truly special," Ancelotti said. "He's very fast, very dangerous in tight spaces, has the ability to turn with speed in little space, very agile in getting himself free and all these qualities he has means he's a great talent. It's rare to see a player with these types of characteristics."

Chukwueze's Impact and Fonseca's Praise

While Endrick's debut was a highlight for Real Madrid fans, it was Chukwueze who stole the show for AC Milan. The Nigerian winger continued his impressive pre-season form, scoring the decisive goal in the 55th minute. He had already gone close in the first half, forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois.

Chukwueze's impact was not lost on AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca, who praised the 25-year-old's performance.

"I’m really happy with Chuku because he’s doing really, really well," Fonseca said. "He’s showing his quality. I believe he will be an important player in the team and will make a difference."

A Tale of Two Halves

The match was a relatively even affair in the first half, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Real Madrid's lineup was weakened by the absence of several key players, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior. This allowed AC Milan to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game.

However, Real Madrid made a number of substitutions at halftime, introducing several young players into the game. These changes seemed to give the Spanish side a renewed sense of urgency, and they began to create more chances in the second half. Despite their efforts, though, they were unable to find an equalizer.

Emerging Young Talents

The match provided an opportunity for several young players to showcase their talents. On the Real Madrid side, Joan Martinez stood out in particular. The 16-year-old center-back made a strong impression after coming on in the second half, playing with composure and confidence. Ancelotti was clearly impressed by his performance.

“He has everything a center-back needs,” Ancelotti said.

For AC Milan, Yunus Musah was another player who caught the eye. The 21-year-old USMNT midfielder came on as a substitute and showed his ability to control the ball and create opportunities. Fonseca was impressed by Musah's potential.

"I’ve known Musah (for) many years, but I didn’t see him in this context, in this kind of game," Fonseca said. "In 30 minutes, what he did, it was amazing with just a few days of working with us. He has to learn, to improve many things, but he has the right characteristics to play this position in our game."

Looking Ahead

Both teams will be looking to continue their pre-season preparations in the coming weeks. AC Milan will next face Barcelona in a friendly match in Baltimore, while Real Madrid will also face their La Liga rivals in a rematch of the previous week's game. The results of these matches will give both managers a clearer picture of their teams' progress ahead of the start of the new season.

While Real Madrid's performance in Chicago was hampered by the absence of several key players, the team will be encouraged by the performance of Endrick and other young talents. AC Milan, meanwhile, will be delighted with their second victory in two pre-season matches and the continued good form of Samuel Chukwueze.