Fede Valverde, with a brace, and Vinicius Jr, with the third and final goal, were the stars of the show on Sunday as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Milan 3-2 in the first match of their pre-season tour of the United States. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena (Los Angeles, USA), with an overwhelming majority of Madridistas in the stands, hosted this match in which Madrid turned the scoreline around in the second half after trailing 0-2 at the break.

Carlo Ancelotti used for the first time the 4-4-2 formation, which he has been practising in recent days and which is a tactical scheme he wants to apply this new season. He also gave starting minutes to three of his new signings for this year, all of them in attack: Bellingham as a midfielder and Joselu and Brahim up front.

The only one of the 'new' players who did not play against Milan was Turkey's Arda Guler, who had missed the last training session on Saturday due to physical discomfort. With Kroos at the heart of the midfield, Madrid began by linking up well in the centre and finding depth down the flanks with Lucas Vazquez and Mendy.

The first 'Merengue' chance came before the 10 minute mark with a dry, low shot from Valverde that went just wide of the post. Brahim, against the team where he played on loan for the last 3 years, began to play between the lines and to combine with Bellingham.

However, a mistake by Ferland Mendy and Camavinga set up Colombo, who, in the 17th minute, unleashed a left-footed shot that did not go far from Lunin's goal. Madrid seemed to have more attacking presence - albeit without dangerous chances - but, in the 25th minute, a serious marking error by Militao and Nacho at a corner left Tomori all alone to head home from just inside the six-yard box.

The goal gave Milan a boost and, just two minutes later, they came close to a second with a shot from outside the area by Messias Jr. It had the opposite effect on Madrid, who could not find a route to the Milan goal and were still too hesitant in defence.

A poor clearance by Nacho ended in a recovery by the Rossoneri and the ball ended up in the Argentine Luka Romero's boots, who had just come on to replace Messias Jr. and who was brilliant with a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner of Lunin's net.

July 24, 2023

Classic Madrid comeback

Ancelotti's flurry of changes came at half-time with eight substitutions at once which, among other things, meant Joselu's exit with little luck on his debut and Fran Garcia's first minutes on the pitch. When the Brazilian duo Vinicius-Rodrygo came on in attack, they gave Madrid much more spark and extra rythm in the second half.

Rodrygo almost scored after a good run down the right but his shot was saved by Sportiello. However, the Milan goalkeeper was unwittingly involved in a huge mistake in the 57th minute. Valverde's long-range effort was harmless, and the ball slipped past Sportiello's hands.

Two minutes later, the Uruguayan equalised, taking advantage of another Milan mistake. Krunic was too slow playing the ball out from the back, Valverde stole the ball from him and sealed the tie with a good shot. Bellingham played 63 minutes in his first game as a 'Merengue', left with a good feeling and was applauded by the crowd.

Milan made 10 changes at once and had several clear chances thanks to Giroud and Romero, who came close to a brace, but both came up against a solid Lunin in front of goal. The red-and-black side were too quick to forgive and Madrid made them pay for it. Modric then pulled a perfect defence-splitting pass out of his hat for Vinicius Jr. and the Brazilian finished with confidence to give Madrid their first win of the pre-season.

July 24, 2023

Luka Romero

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