CITY BEATEN, 3-2 IN NEW YORK

Our DIRECTV Soccer Champions Tour 2024 starts with a win. At the Yankee Stadium in New York, under the watchful eye of Gerry Cardinale, AC Milan beat Guardiola's Manchester City 3-2. A brace from an inspired Colombo and a goal from Nasti proved decisive. The US afternoon brought a special surprise for the Milanisti, aside from a good win: the Rossoneri came out for the second half in the new Away Kit from PUMA which will be presented in detail in the coming hours. It was a blessed debut, only dampened by a painful knock to Florenzi's knee. 

After the initial indications in Vienna, the Rossoneri pre-season continues to head in a positive direction: in particular, regarding the attack. Much to be appreciated about the squad's performance with many players involved - youngsters or not, and Saelemaekers' showing something to be emphasised - against a reworked opponent, but still the English title-winners, in an important atmosphere. Our Tour will continue with training, events and work in the USA ahead of the next games against Real Madrid (July 31 at 02:30 CEST at Soldier Field in Chicago) and Barcelona (August 6 at 01:30 CEST at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore).

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM MANCHESTER CITY v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
Following the initial approach, AC Milan took control of things: in the 8th minute, Loftus-Cheek pushed ahead to trouble Ederson with a shot. In the 18th minute, Chukwueze picked up a ball from Saelemaekers to turn and shoot just wide past the post. But a minute later, Manchester City struck, Bobb to Haaland who placed the ball right in the top corner. Again in the 27th minute, Bobb for Haaland, whose shot finished above the bar. Then, the Chukwueze-Colombo duo came to life. Two near-identical goals in very little time: in the 30th minute, Chukwueze crossed in and Colombo headed home; just four minutes later, the pair came again but this time Lollo struck a low volley to bag his brace. In between, Bobb managed to waste a very tempting chance. Don't give Haaland an inch, Torriani did well to keep him out in the 37th minute. Terracciano tried one from the edge of the box in stoppage time but it went high. 2-1 at the break.

The English side were more lively in the second half with the equaliser coming from McAtee in the 55th minute, he did well in the air on a precise pass from Hamilton. Wilson-Esbrand tried something around the hour mark but it didn't come off. The predicted mass gear shift saw the personnel change, heat and tiredness also playing a part. The Diavolo remained relatively unthreatening until Nasti stepped up: he collected a ball from Pobega in the 72nd minute, stopped and shot forcing Ederson to the ground to block. A minute later, he started well against the goalkeeper but failed to finish off the shot. Third time was the charm as in the 78th minute, assisted by Saelemaekers, he secured the lead. The Citizens didn't lie down, making some final runs that didn't prove too dangerous. Final whistle: 3-2.

MATCH DETAILS

MANCHESTER CITY 2-3 AC MILAN

MANCHESTER CITY (3-3-3-1): Ederson (81' Carson); Lewis, Doyle, Simpson-Pusey (46' Philips); Perrone (46' Hamilton), Susoho (46' Katongo), O'Reilly (65' Fatah); Bobb, McAtee (65' Wright), Grealish (81' Gvardiol); Haaland (46' Wilson-Esbrand). Subs: Ortega; Galvez, Katongo, Mbete, Mfuni, Samuel; Kovačić; Heskey, Knight, Ndala, Oboavwoduo. Coach: Guardiola.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Torriani; Calabria (80' Bakoune), Tomori (64' Thiaw), Gabbia (64' Kalulu), Terracciano; Bennacer (64' Liberali), Florenzi (40' Pobega); Chukwueze (64' Jiménez), Loftus-Cheek (80' Musah), Saelemaekers (80' Pulisic); Colombo (64' Nasti). Subs: Nava, Raveyre; Adli; Cuenca, Jović, Maldini. Coach: Fonseca.

Referee: Serhij Bojko (UKR).
Goals: 19' Haaland (MC), 30' and 34' Colombo (M), 55' McAtee (MC), 78' Nasti (M).
Booked: 73' Saelemaekers (M).

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