Real Madrid opened their preseason campaign with a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in Chicago, as they fell at Soldier Field in front of just under 60,000 fans.
Los Blancos have been working with mainly youngsters in preseason, but only Mario Martin and Raul Asencio were not part of the first team and started against Milan. The Italian side started better, and early on forced a good save from Thibaut Courtois.
#RealMadrid started their preseason last night, with a 1-0 defeat to #ACMilan, courtesy of Samu Chukwueze.pic.twitter.com/1tPrP6nygG
— Football España (@footballespana_) August 1, 2024
With the Rossoneri pressing high under new coach Paulo Fonseca, they nicked the ball of Real Madrid frequently in midfield, and a combination of the post, Courtois and some poor finishing kept them out in the first half. During the first period there was probably the most promising spell for Los Blancos too though, with Endrick Felipe, Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler combining well at times, and the latter putting in the best performance of the night for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The second half saw plenty of changes, with Antonio Rudiger, Luka Modric, Endrick Felipe, Guler, Courtois and Jesus Vallejo all coming off, and one of the introductions the unfortunate Cesar Palacios. Just seven minutes later, the academy midfielder was forced off with injury and replaced by Alvaro Rodriguez. Endrick was very much the centre of attention for most, and showed flashes of his pace and touch in the opening half, but was largely restricted to just that.
Ten minutes into the second half, a familiar foe in Samu Chukwueze finished a counter attack well after the ball was lost by Brahim, opening the scoring for Milan. The late Real Madrid reaction saw Fran Garcia’s effort blocked at the last minute, and Rodriguez smothered by goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, but there was little more on offer.
After the match, Carlo Ancelotti noted that he was pleased with the attitude and fight his side showed. There will no doubt be more of that on show with El Clasico up next against Barcelona on Saturday night.
