Milan 2-1 Juve (Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi)

MILAN beat Juventus 2-1 in the Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi, at the San Siro earlier tonight. Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Clarence Seedorf sealed a win, though the victory came at the cost of a few injuries…

Once again Milan were without key players, so much so that only 1 senior striker was available, so Massimiliano Allegri fielded a 4-3-2-1 instead, with Christian Abbiati behind a back 4 of Ignazio Abate, Alessandro Nesta, Daniele Bonera and Taye Taiwo. In the middle, the senatore trio of Gattuso, Ambrosini and Seedorf, were played while Emmanuelson and Kevin-Prince Boateng were played behind the lone striker, Antonio Cassano

The opening 5 minutes were a mixed bag, Juve looked energetic and tracked back well, though apart from Pirlo failed to keep the ball as well as Milan. The first real opportunity of the game came for Milan, with Antonio Cassano driving a shot narrowly wide from around 25 yards out. Clarence Seedorf tested Buffon with a low shot just a yard or two closer than Cassano’s effort a moment earlier, meanwhile the only thing Abbiati had to do was catch Krasic’s shot (which was aimed straight at him).

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Milan took the lead in the 9th minute! Following a superb cross from the right by Ignazio Abate, the target was Kevin-Prince Boateng, who executed a perfect volley hard and low along the ground, which curved into the bottom corner past a helpless Buffon. An absolutely brilliant effort, his technique was perfect, a stunning goal!

Just before the quarter of an hour mark, Milan had a chance to make it two. Following a great through ball from Antonio Cassano, Gattuso slipped in the area, before getting up quickly and cutting back, however, Arturo Vidal flew in with a heavy challenge at this point, and although he got the ball it could have feasibly been given as a penalty, nonetheless, a corner was given, and unfortunately nothing came from it.

With 22 minutes on the clock, Taiwo was starting to shine, and in a move which involved a lot of build up from him, Milan ended up with a free kick just outside the Juventus penalty area, and Clarence Seedorf stepped up to take it. The dutchman took a few steps for firing the ball up and down over the wall and in off the post! An outstanding goal to make it 2-0 Milan! Meanwhile, Juve had not threatened since the Krasic effort, and Milan were making better and better passes with each minute!

Approaching the half hour mark, Juventus very nearly pulled one back! With Lichtensteiner stepping into the space left behind by Krasic on the right flank, the ball was played back to just outside the area, where Claudio Marchisio had made the run. The Italian blasted the ball first time, and it rattled against the crossbar and out, a very good chance.

At the same time, Kevin-Prince Boateng was forced off as a result of the knock he sustained a few minutes ago – Mathieu Flamini was his replacement.

The next 10 minutes saw Juve come in to the game a little more down the wings, the likes of Vidal still showed some energy for them but Milan remained dominant. Juve’s 4-2-4 meant they really couldn’t keep the ball well enough to utilise their energy and attacking players, while Milan looked very comfortable with a 2 goal lead and the bigger share of the ball.

The half drew to a close in a slow fashion. Milan opted to keep possession and spread it around which in truth, took a lot of the life out of the match, and juve seemed unable to do anything about it really, nonetheless, a good opening 45 minutes from the Rossoneri!

Just after half time, Taye Taiwo was injured, and Gianluca Zambrotta was brought on to replace him

Christian Abbiati was called into action for the first time since Krasic’s effort in the first half just over 5 minutes in to the second half, a long range effort from former Rossoneri man Andrea Pirlo forcinga good save out of him, though Milan still looked the better side.

Coming up to the 60 minute mark, and Juve pulled one back. After Cassano gave the ball away, 2 quick passes from Pirlo and then Del Piero put Mirko Vucinic through, and he made no mistake in stabbing the ball past Abbiati into the back of the net, to reduce Mila’s lead to 1

Nesta was injured before the goal went in, and Rodrigo Ely was brought on to replace him.

Just past the 65 minute mark, Kingsley Boateng was brought on for Gennaro Gattuso

Alessandro Del Piero had a golden opportunity to equalise for Juve as the game approached 70 minutes. After a wonderdul through ball from Andrea Pirlo, Del Piero was in, but the Italian could not beat his compatriot, and Christian Abbiati saved the 1 on 1 very well!

With just 10 minutes left to go, Milan should have had a penalty. Following good build up play in the box, Cassano layed it off for Zambrotta at the byline, who pulled it back for Flamini to shoot. Flamini shot but the effort was blocked out for a corner by De Ceglie, however, the replays showed it struck De Ceglie’s hand, but the referee ignored Milan’s protests.

Luca Antonini was brought on for Clarence Seedorf for the last 5 minutes.

In the 87th minute, Kinsley Boateng almost scored a superb goal! Milan were pressing forward and Emmanuelson did well to retain possession, before giving it to Cassano. Antonio Cassano found Kingsley Boateng well, and the 17 year old stepped in and unleashed a stunning curling shot, which very unfortunately rattled off the post. Shortly After, Buffon denied Cassano from a narrow angle.

Massimo Oddo was brought on for Abate in the last minute of the game.

Milan saw out the game by keeping the ball well, to claim the Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi!

Whilst some consider this a bit of a poison chalice, or a jinx, being realistic, a good win a week before the season starts is always a good thing, particuarly given the under-strength nature of the Rossoneri’s side (and the pretty much full strength nature of juve’s!)

Best Moment: Boateng’s volley

Man of the Match: Clarence Seedorf, shading out Abate and Abbiati. Credit must go to Taiwo too, before his injury.

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