In the opening pre-season friendly, Real Madrid showcased their resilience and attacking prowess as they secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Milan.
Despite a first half marred by defensive lapses, the 'Merengues' orchestrated an impressive comeback from a 2-0 deficit. The star performers of the match were Fede Valverde, who netted twice, and Vinicius Jr, who scored the decisive third goal.
The match took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Los Angeles, USA, with an enthusiastic contingent of Madridistas filling the stands.
Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid unveiled a new tactical approach, deploying a 4-4-2 formation, which the team had been practicing extensively in recent days and intended to employ throughout the upcoming season. Ancelotti also handed starting opportunities to three of the new attacking signings: Bellingham, Joselu, and Brahim.
Arda Guler, the Turkish talent among the new acquisitions, was the only one who did not feature in the match against Milan, as he missed the game due to physical discomfort. With Kroos leading the midfield, Real Madrid started the game with effective link-up play in the center and width provided by Lucas Vazquez and Mendy on the flanks.
Real Madrid's first promising opportunity came early on when Valverde's low, powerful strike narrowly missed the target. Brahim, who had spent the last three years on loan at Milan, displayed his creativity and skill by interchanging play with Bellingham in the midfield.
However, a defensive mistake by Mendy and Camavinga in the 17th minute led to a chance for Colombo, whose left-footed shot found the back of the net, leaving Lunin with little chance to save it. The goal boosted Milan's confidence, and they nearly doubled their lead just two minutes later with a long-range attempt from Messias Jr. Meanwhile, Real Madrid struggled to find a way to breach Milan's defense and appeared hesitant in their own defensive duties. In the 25th minute, another defensive lapse, this time from Militao and Nacho during a corner kick, allowed Tomori to head home from close range, further extending Milan's advantage. The setback galvanized Milan, and moments after the goal, Luka Romero, a newly introduced substitute for Messias Jr., showcased his brilliance with a stunning left-footed strike that nestled into the top corner of Lunin's goal.
Despite a challenging first half, Real Madrid emerged for the second half with a renewed determination to turn the game around. Ancelotti's tactical adjustments began to pay off, and the team showcased a more cohesive attacking presence.
In the 54th minute, Valverde capitalized on a chance, reducing the deficit with a well-taken goal. The Uruguayan midfielder struck again just ten minutes later, completing his brace and leveling the score at 2-2.
With momentum firmly on their side, Real Madrid pressed on relentlessly, probing for a decisive goal. Their efforts were rewarded in the 75th minute when Vinicius Jr. broke free from the Milan defense and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net, securing the 3-2 victory for 'Los Blancos'.
The thrilling encounter served as an excellent test for Real Madrid ahead of the new season, allowing Ancelotti to assess the team's strengths and areas that require improvement.
The triumphant comeback not only showcased the squad's attacking firepower but also highlighted the significance of defensive solidity, an aspect that Ancelotti will undoubtedly address in the upcoming training sessions. As the pre-season tour continues, the fans eagerly anticipate further impressive performances from their beloved 'Merengues' under the guidance of the seasoned Italian coach.
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