Camilo Duran strengthened his case for a major role in Celtic’s attack by scoring one goal and creating another, but the Scottish champions were denied victory as Francesco Camarda struck twice in quick succession to earn AC Milan a 2–2 preseason draw at Celtic Park.
Celtic appeared to be in complete control after an impressive first-half performance. Duran punished a mistake in Milan’s build-up to open the scoring before showing determination and awareness to create the second goal for James Forrest. The hosts entered the interval with a deserved two-goal advantage and looked capable of ending their preseason programme with a statement victory.
The match changed almost immediately after the restart. Milan made extensive substitutions at half-time, raised the intensity of their pressing and found an immediate response through Camarda. The teenage forward converted a penalty before guiding a header beyond Viljami Sinisalo to complete the comeback within eight minutes.
Neither side could find a winner during an entertaining final period, leaving Celtic to reflect on a promising attacking display and a reminder of how quickly control can disappear against elite opposition. Milan, meanwhile, could take encouragement from the energy of their second-half team and the composure shown by one of their brightest young prospects.
Duran Makes Another Strong Impression
The biggest positive for Celtic was another productive display from Camilo Duran.
The Colombian forward entered the match having already started to build momentum during preseason. Against Milan, he demonstrated why the club believe he can become an important figure in the new campaign.
His opening goal arrived after approximately 11 minutes. Milan attempted to construct an attack from the back, but Strahinja Pavlovic’s misplaced pass created an unexpected opportunity. Duran reacted faster than the defenders, collected the loose ball and guided a controlled left-footed finish beyond Lorenzo Torriani.
The goal owed much to Milan’s error, but Duran still needed to show alertness and composure. Strikers are often judged by their ability to recognise danger before everyone else, and he did exactly that.
Rather than hesitating, he attacked the space immediately. His finish was simple but precise, directed into the corner before Milan could recover.
The strike was Duran’s third goal in three preseason appearances for Celtic, an encouraging return for a forward still developing his understanding with new teammates.
Duran’s contribution went beyond the goal. He pressed Milan’s defenders aggressively, chased uncertain passes and offered Celtic a target when they wanted to move forward quickly.
That work without the ball was particularly important. Milan wanted to build from deep, but Celtic’s front line refused to allow their defenders a comfortable afternoon.
Duran did not possess the extreme speed that Daizen Maeda previously offered, but he displayed a willingness to close down opponents and force rushed decisions. Celtic’s second goal was another example of the pressure paying off.
Forrest Benefits from Duran’s Persistence
Celtic doubled their advantage in the 28th minute after another mistake in Inter Milan’s defensive build-up.
Luke McCowan helped apply the initial pressure, and Duran showed determination to reach the ball before goalkeeper Torriani. Instead of attempting a difficult finish from a narrow position, the striker kept his composure and cut the ball back toward the centre.
James Forrest arrived at the right moment and finished emphatically.
The goal highlighted several encouraging features of Celtic’s attacking play. The pressure was coordinated, Duran made a sensible decision and Forrest anticipated the opportunity rather than remaining outside the action.
Duran’s assist may have been even more revealing than his goal. A striker desperate to impress could easily have attempted to score from the difficult angle. Instead, he selected the option most likely to produce a goal.
That type of decision-making will please the coaching staff. Celtic need forwards who can score, but they also require players capable of improving the performance of those around them.
Forrest’s finish provided a further reminder of his value. The experienced winger continues to make intelligent runs and has retained the ability to punish defensive mistakes.
With Celtic’s attacking squad undergoing change, Forrest’s experience could remain useful. He understands the expectations of playing at Celtic Park and knows how to position himself when the team are applying pressure.
The combination between an emerging forward and one of the club’s longest-serving players offered a glimpse of how Celtic might blend freshness with experience during the new season.
Celtic’s First-Half Structure Works Well
The home side’s two-goal advantage was not based solely on Milan mistakes.
Celtic were organised, energetic and confident throughout much of the opening half. They pressed with purpose and showed composure when attempting to play out from defence.
Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo played an important part in that structure. He appeared comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and regularly encouraged Milan’s forwards to move toward him before finding a teammate.
That calm distribution helped Celtic create space elsewhere. When the goalkeeper is capable of attracting pressure without panicking, defenders and midfielders can receive the ball in more favourable positions.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Dane Murray also contributed to a disciplined defensive performance before the interval. Kieran Tierney provided experience on the left, while Colby Donovan was given another opportunity on the opposite side.
In midfield, Callum McGregor helped control the rhythm. McCowan supplied energy and pressing, while Arne Engels supported attacks and attempted to connect with the forward line.
Celtic were not flawless, but their shape was clear. They knew when to press, where to direct Milan’s passes and how to move the ball into attacking areas.
The two goals originated from opposition errors, yet those errors were encouraged by Celtic’s intensity.
Milan were repeatedly asked to make decisions under pressure. When their execution failed, Celtic were ready to take advantage.
Milan Struggle with Their Build-Up
AC Milan’s first-half performance reflected a team at the beginning of its preseason preparations.
The Italian side used several young players and attempted to play through Celtic’s press. Their ambition was understandable, but the execution was inconsistent.
Both Celtic goals came from misunderstandings or inaccurate decisions during the build-up phase. Pavlovic’s misplaced pass led directly to Duran’s opener, while the second goal followed another failure to manage Celtic’s pressure.
New head coach Ruben Amorim was using his first friendly to assess a refreshed squad. Three under-20 players were included in the starting line-up, and the team’s passing patterns were still being developed.
Preseason matches are designed to expose exactly these problems.
Milan will not want to repeat such errors when competitive football begins, but the coaching staff now have clear examples to analyse.
Building from the back requires more than technical confidence. Players need correct spacing, clear passing options and an understanding of where pressure is coming from.
When one part of the structure fails, even an experienced defender can be forced into a poor decision.
The first half therefore provided a valuable lesson. Milan’s intention to dominate through possession was visible, but their positioning and communication were not yet sharp enough.
Eight Changes Transform Milan
The second half began with a dramatically different rhythm.
Amorim reportedly made eight substitutions at the interval, giving Milan fresh energy and introducing several players capable of increasing the speed of the game.
The impact was immediate.
Milan pressed Celtic higher, moved the ball more quickly and attacked with greater aggression. The visitors no longer looked uncertain. Instead, they pushed Celtic toward their own penalty area and forced the home side to defend under sustained pressure.
Camarda became the central figure in the transformation.
The teenage striker had started the afternoon among the substitutes but needed only moments to make an impact.
Celtic had appeared comfortable at 2–0. Within minutes of the restart, the entire mood inside the stadium had changed.
That sudden shift served as a useful warning for the Scottish side. Matches against high-level European opponents can turn quickly, particularly when concentration drops or substitutions alter the tactical balance.
Celtic had controlled much of the opening period, but they struggled to regain momentum after Milan’s changes.
Camarda Converts from the Spot
Milan’s first goal arrived almost immediately after the restart.
Camarda moved into the penalty area and became involved in a challenge with Carter-Vickers. Referee Nick Walsh judged that the Celtic defender had committed a foul, despite his protests.
Camarda took responsibility for the penalty and finished confidently beyond Sinisalo.
The quality of the conversion reflected the striker’s composure. He had only recently entered the match, but he appeared unaffected by the occasion or the atmosphere inside Celtic Park.
Young forwards are often praised for technical ability, yet confidence can be just as important. Camarda did not hesitate, and his finish gave Milan exactly the encouragement they needed.
Celtic may have felt frustrated by the decision, but their response was more concerning than the penalty itself.
The hosts were unable to slow the match or keep possession long enough to interrupt Milan’s momentum. The visitors sensed vulnerability and continued to attack.
One goal had changed the emotional balance of the contest. Milan believed the equaliser was available, while Celtic were suddenly defending much deeper than they had during the first half.
A Glancing Header Completes the Comeback
The equaliser arrived in the 52nd minute.
Samuel Chukwueze helped create the opportunity from the right, delivering a ball into the area for Camarda. The forward used intelligent movement to find space and directed a glancing header beyond Sinisalo.
It was a completely different type of goal from the penalty.
The first demonstrated calmness from 12 yards. The second highlighted movement, anticipation and technical control.
Camarda did not need to overpower the defender. He recognised the flight of the ball and redirected it accurately enough to beat the goalkeeper.
Scoring twice within such a short period against an experienced Celtic defence further enhanced the teenager’s reputation.
Camarda has long been viewed as one of Milan’s most promising academy products. He became the youngest player to appear in Serie A and later the youngest Italian to play in the Champions League. His performance at Celtic Park offered another reminder of his potential.
For Milan, the brace was an ideal preseason development. A young player changed the match, responded to pressure and demonstrated that he could compete against senior European opposition.
Celtic Lose Control Too Easily
From Celtic’s perspective, the speed of Milan’s comeback will require analysis.
The hosts had been disciplined and comfortable during the first half, yet they conceded twice before they had properly settled after the break.
The extensive Milan substitutions clearly influenced the game, but Celtic still needed to respond more effectively.
A team leading 2–0 must recognise when an opponent is building momentum. Sometimes the correct response is not to continue attacking immediately but to slow the match, keep possession and force the opposition to work for the ball.
Celtic could not do that.
Their passing became less secure, the spaces between the lines increased and Milan began to control territory.
The penalty may have been avoidable. The second goal also raised questions about protection in wide areas and the marking of runners in the penalty box.
These are not reasons for major alarm during preseason, but they are useful warnings before competitive matches.
Celtic are likely to face teams capable of producing similar bursts in Europe. Losing control for five or ten minutes can be enough to decide a qualifying tie.
The coaching staff will want the players to recognise danger earlier and manage difficult periods with greater maturity.
Duran’s Role after Maeda’s Departure
Duran’s performance was especially significant because Celtic’s attacking structure is changing.
Daizen Maeda’s departure to Ipswich Town removed a player whose pressing, speed and movement had been central to the team.
Duran should not be expected to become an identical replacement. His qualities are different.
He may not cover ground with Maeda’s extraordinary speed, but he offers physical presence, finishing ability and a clear willingness to pressure defenders.
Against Milan, he demonstrated how his pressing can still create opportunities.
His opening goal came from anticipating an inaccurate pass. His assist followed another moment in which Celtic refused to allow Milan an easy route out of defence.
Duran also showed an ability to operate centrally and bring teammates into the game.
That profile could become even more useful if Celtic complete the signing of Kasper Hogh. The arrival of another central striker would create competition but could also give the manager several tactical options.
Duran might lead the line alone, play from a slightly wider position or combine with another forward in certain matches.
The key will be consistency. One excellent preseason display creates excitement, but competitive football will bring different pressures.
Opponents in Scotland may defend deeper and leave less space behind them. Duran will need to show that he can contribute against compact defensive systems as well as teams attempting to build from the back.
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