AC MILAN DEFEATED ON PENALTIES: VALENCIA WIN THE TROFEO NARANJA

Valencia won the 49th edition of the Trofeo Naranja on penalties. The second friendly of the $ACM Fan Token European Summer Tour 2021 saw a strong AC Milan team take to the pitch, with 90 minutes ending in a 0-0 draw. The Rossoneri, however, deserved more and had the best chances. Despite the penalty spot deciding the result, there were several positive indications for Coach Pioli at the end of an evening at the Mestalla, having played against an opponent expected to be a major player in next season’s La Liga.

A good test from a physical and athletic point of view, with several changes compared to Saturday's friendly in Nice and positive dribbling and chance creation. Ballo-Touré, who came close to scoring in the first half, and Brahim Díaz, who was very comfortable playing as a number ten in the first half, both had a good impact on the game. The Rossoneri will train in Valencia tomorrow morning, before returning to Italy in the afternoon to continue preparing for the next challenge – Sunday afternoon’s game in Klagenfurt against Real Madrid.

GALLERY: IMAGES FROM THE GAME

THE REPORT
Coach Pioli mixed things up compared to Saturday, with four new players starting, including Ballo-Touré. The game’s first chance came for Maldini from a free kick in the 4th minute, followed by a good run up the wing by Leão and a left-footed effort from Castillejo in the 14th minute. Valencia also made their presence known, with Maignan reacting to a Cheryshev chance in the 18th minute. Although not too enthralling, the Rossoneri were in possession and had their best chance in the 38th minute; Díaz's made a fine through ball to Ballo-Touré, though his shot went a little high. In the 41st minute Leão had a goal disallowed for a dubious offside.

The first chance of the second half came from Correia in the 52nd minute, his shot failing to surprise Tătăruşanu. The Rossoneri responded in the 60th minute when Leão provided an assist to Díaz into the centre of the box, who fired towards the net, though the shot was denied by an excellent Mamardashvili. Hernández tried to shake up the match in the 76th minute, but Theo's acceleration failed to surprise the opposition's goalkeeper, who put the ball away for a corner. There was little excitement in the last 15 minutes, and the match was decided on penalties, with Krunić's mistake making the difference.

MATCH DETAILS

VALENCIA 0-0 (5-3 on penalties) AC MILAN

VALENCIA (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Correia, Alderete, Paulista (86' Diakhaby), Gayà (86' Vazquez); Guillamón, Burlamaqui (68' Sobrino), Jason (68' Esquerdo), Cheryshev (83' Manu Vallejo); Guedes, Maxi  Gómez. Subs: Rivero, Fran Perez, Javi Guerra, Diego López, Joseda, Charli. Coach: Bordálas. 

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan (46' Tătăruşanu); Conti (60' Calabria), Tomori (46' Gabbia), Romagnoli (46' Kalulu), Ballo-Touré (60' Hernández); Pobega (90' Di Gesù), Tonali (46' Krunić); Castillejo, Díaz (60' Rebić), Maldini (46' Saelemaekers); Leão (60' Giroud). Subs: Plizzari; Robotti. Coach: Pioli. 

Referee: Melero Lopez (Spain)
Booked: 83' Krunić (M), 91' Gabbia (M)
Penalties: Manu Vallejo (V) goal, Giroud (M) goal, Maxi Gómez (V) goal, Calabria (M) goal, Guedes (V) goal, Krunić (M) missed, Esquerdo (V) goal, Rebić (M) goal, Guillamón (V) goal.

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