DEFEAT TO LIVERPOOL IN DUBAI

At the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, AC Milan lost their second Dubai Super Cup match against Liverpool, finishing the competition with a single point thanks to their penalty shootout victory after a 4-1 defeat in normal time. During this evening’s friendly, the English side were livelier and more clinical, with Núñez bagging a second-half brace after Salah and Thiago’s goals in the opening period. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri showed plenty of commitment and, given their application, didn’t deserve to lose by such a heavy scoreline. In the end, Saelemaekers’ equaliser only brought Coach Pioli’s men back on level terms for a brief period. During the shootout, Mirante took centre stage as the Rossoneri came out on top.

The team shouldn’t feel too downhearted by their two defeats in the United Arab Emirates: nothing major was at stake and there have undoubtedly been some positive signs. While a few things need to be corrected, fitness levels are improving and the players are finding their stride again as a team. The Primavera players made an excellent contribution, especially El Hilali. The Diavolo will now remain in Dubai to continue their preparations until the start of next week. Then, they’ll return to Milan as the season gets closer to resuming. Before they face Salernitana away from home in their first Serie A match of 2023, the Rossoneri will take on PSV in a friendly at the Philip Stadion in Eindhoven at 18:15 CET on Friday 30 December.   

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v LIVERPOOL

MATCH REPORT
A minute’s silence was held before the game and AC Milan played with black armbands on in honour of the memory of Siniša Mihajlović. Ready, set and a big chance for Lazetić: Adli played the Serbian in behind but he flashed his effort wide. It seemed to be the signal of a good start but Liverpool took the lead with their first chance. In the fifth minute, Matip played played the ball forward to Salah, who calmly put it past Mirante. The Rossoneri had plenty of possession but struggled to cause the Reds any real problems. The same couldn't be said for our opponents. Liverpool threatened through Salah (15’), then Oxlade-Chamberlain (20’) and, in what was the most dangerous chance of the three, Thiago, who fired just wide. Saelemaekers it was who produced a lovely finish to bring AC Milan level, converting from Rebić’s assist with a low, driven effort (29’). In the 41st minute, disaster again. Thiago received the ball at the edge of the box and rifled it in to restore the Reds’ advantage. Lazetić and Firmino both had opportunities before the half came to a close, but to no avail.

Vranckx and Bennacer came on at the break. Much like the previous one, today’s game saw the tempo drop in the second half. The Rossoneri had their chances, including a Pobega effort which was seen off by Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher. The Reds still looked like the more likely side to score, however, and came close with a Matip header in the 61st minute. Two mintues later, Núñez tested Mirante and, in the 67th minute, Bajcetic fired over. El Halili came close to bringing the Rossoneri level for a second time but he was denied by the crossbar (70’). It went from bad to worse for AC Milan and the gap only widened. Núñez bagged a quickfire brace, scoring in the 82nd and 87th minutes. Doak also hit the post in between the two goals. Full-time.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-4 LIVERPOOL

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Mirante; Kalulu, Thiaw, Gabbia (72' Simić), Pobega (72' Bozzolan); Krunić (46' Bennacer), Tonali (46' Vranckx); Saelemaekers (72' Bakayoko), Adli, Rebić (56' El Hilali); Lazetić (85' Bakoune). Subs: Jungdal, Tătăruşanu. Coach: Pioli.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Kelleher (59' Adrián); Milner (59' Frauendorf), Matip (66' Phillips), Gomez (83' Quansah), Robertson (59' Tsimikas); Bajcetic, Thiago (59' Carvalho), Elliott (78' Clark); Salah (83' Doak), Firmino (59' Núñez), Oxlade-Chamberlain (59' Keita). Subs: Davies; Chambers; Cain, Corness. Coach: Klopp.

Referee: Omar Al Ali (UAE).
Goals: 5' Salah (L), 29' Saelemaekers (M), 41' Thiago (L), 82' e 89' Núñez (L).
Penalty shootout: Tsimikas (L) missed, Bennacer (M) goal, Keita (L) missed, Bakayoko (M) goal, Carvalho (L) goal, Adli (M) missed, Clark (L) goal, El Hilali (M) gaol, Núñez (L) gaol, Kalulu (M) goal.

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