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Head coach Paulo Fonseca adjusted the starting line-up from the match against Manchester City in New York, bringing in Malick Thiaw for Matteo Gabbia, Mattia Liberali as the playmaker, and Marco Nasti up front.
Milan started strongly and almost took the lead within four minutes through Samuel Chukwueze. A loose pass in the Real Madrid box fell to Chukwueze, whose low shot was well saved by Courtois.
Three minutes later, Milan missed another chance. A well-executed attack saw Chukwueze set up Liberali, who passed to Nasti, but Courtois saved with his legs.
In the 13th minute, Milan showcased their quick transition from defense to attack. Lorenzo Torriani initiated a play that led to a cut-back from the right, but Saelemaekers’ shot was blocked at the far post.
The only other notable chances in the first half were narrowly missed shots. Chukwueze bent an effort just wide in the 24th minute, and Brahim Diaz’s curled attempt after the hydration break also went close.
Milan took a deserved lead in the 55th minute. A poor pass from Real’s defense was intercepted by Fikayo Tomori, and Liberali set up Chukwueze for a low, powerful finish past Lunin.
Two minutes later, Milan nearly made it 2-0. Calabria intercepted a stray pass and Chukwueze pulled the ball back to Liberali, who shot just over with the goalkeeper out of position.
A few minutes after the hour mark, Milan came close again, but a header from Malick Thiaw was denied by the crossbar following a free-kick from Ismael Bennacer.
In the 65th minute, several substitutions were made: Christian Pulisic, Luka Jovic, Alex Jimenez, Pierre Kalulu, and Yunus Musah came on, replacing Nasti, Liberali, Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, and Terracciano.
Pulisic nearly scored his first preseason goal shortly after coming on, but Lunin made a save on a chance created by Chukwueze.
With 12 minutes remaining, more changes occurred: Tommaso Pobega, Matteo Gabbia, Hugo Cuenca, and Andrea Bakoune replaced Bennacer, Thiaw, Chukwueze, and Saelemaekers. Francesco Camarda also came on for the final minutes, replacing Tomori.
