In a captivating preseason friendly at Yankee Stadium in New York City, AC Milan emerged victorious over Premier League champions Manchester City with a 3-2 win. The match, which saw a blend of established stars and promising talents, highlighted the readiness of both teams for the upcoming season. Lorenzo Colombo was the hero of the night, scoring twice to secure a memorable victory for the Rossoneri.
First Half: Early Excitement and Tactical Prowess
Manchester City, known for their possession-based approach under Pep Guardiola, started the match with their trademark passing game. AC Milan, under the guidance of Stefano Pioli, opted for a balanced strategy, blending defensive solidity with quick counter-attacks.
The first goal came early, much to the delight of the Milan fans. In the 10th minute, Lorenzo Colombo, Milan’s young striker, showcased his poaching instincts. A well-timed cross from Theo Hernandez found Colombo in the box, and he made no mistake, heading the ball past City’s goalkeeper Ederson to give Milan a 1-0 lead.
City responded quickly, demonstrating why they are considered one of the best teams in Europe. Their equalizer came in the 22nd minute through Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian midfielder received a pass from Bernardo Silva, took a touch to set himself, and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that left Milan’s keeper Mike Maignan with no chance.
The rest of the first half saw both teams creating opportunities. City’s Riyad Mahrez and Milan’s Rafael Leão were particularly dangerous on the flanks, constantly probing and testing the defenses. Despite the efforts, the score remained 1-1 as the teams headed into the break.
Second Half: Colombo’s Brilliance and City’s Fightback
Guardiola made several substitutions, bringing in fresh legs to maintain the high tempo. However, it was Milan who struck first again. In the 55th minute, a swift counter-attack saw Leão break free down the left wing. His low cross into the box found Colombo, who calmly slotted the ball home for his second goal of the night, putting Milan 2-1 up.
Manchester City, undeterred by the setback, pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Their efforts paid off in the 68th minute when new signing Julian Alvarez, making his mark, scored a brilliant goal. After a clever pass from Ilkay Gündogan, Alvarez maneuvered past two defenders and fired a shot into the top corner, bringing City level once more at 2-2.
The game seemed destined for a draw as both teams continued to create chances. However, Lorenzo Colombo had other ideas. In the 80th minute, he completed his memorable night with a moment of magic. Receiving the ball just outside the box, Colombo turned sharply and unleashed a curling effort that sailed past Ederson into the net, completing his brace and giving Milan a 3-2 lead.
Final Minutes: Holding Firm and Celebrations
The final 10 minutes were a test of Milan’s defensive resolve as City threw everything forward. Guardiola’s men, known for their late comebacks, kept pressing. De Bruyne and Phil Foden both came close, but Maignan stood tall, making crucial saves to deny City an equalizer.
Milan’s defense, led by Simon Kjær and Fikayo Tomori, showcased their resilience, blocking shots and intercepting passes. The Rossoneri held firm until the final whistle, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the English champions.
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