As the curtain fell on AC Milan`s journey through Asia and Australia, the Rossoneri delivered a resounding final performance, routing local side Perth Glory with a staggering 9-0 victory. While the scoreline might suggest a fierce contest, the reality was a comprehensive demonstration of professional prowess against a spirited, albeit outmatched, opponent.
Dominance from the First Whistle
From the opening whistle, it was abundantly clear this would be a one-sided affair. Coach Massimiliano Allegri, experimenting with a fluid 4-3-3 formation—a shift from the 3-5-2 seen in earlier friendlies—saw his side take the lead within mere minutes through a surging Filippo Terracciano, who combined seamlessly with Okafor. This early strike set the tone for what was to become a veritable goal festival.
The goals flowed like a perfectly executed Milan counter-attack. Noah Okafor swiftly netted a brace, benefiting notably from a superb individual effort by Alex Jimenez, whose dribbling showcased his full recovery and readiness to contribute this season. Not content with a comfortable lead, 17-year-old talent Francesco Comotto calmly converted a penalty, demonstrating composure beyond his years. Following this, Samuel Chukwueze, after several attempts, finally found his deserved goal, culminating in an impressive five-goal flurry before the half-hour mark.
Second Half: Fresh Faces, Same Story
The second half brought a complete refresh of the Milan lineup, with Allegri rotating his squad to give valuable minutes to as many players as possible. Yet, the scoring spree continued unabated. Rafael Leao, deployed as a central striker, wasted no time, finding the net within fifteen seconds of the restart, leveraging his characteristic pace to devastating effect. The relentless assault saw further contributions from Kevin Zeroli Ricci, with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box following a clever heel-flick from Liberali, and Yunus Musah, whose dazzling solo effort was met with deserved applause. Leao, ever hungry for goals, capped off the night with his second, cementing the astonishing 9-0 final score.
Insights Beyond the Scoreline
While a 9-0 victory against a team like Perth Glory—who, to put it politely, are not currently challenging for continental honors and finished last in their domestic league—might not be the most rigorous litmus test for a European giant, it undoubtedly offered coach Allegri valuable insights. The clean sheet provided reassurance for the defensive setup, a crucial element for any top-tier team. Furthermore, the sheer volume of goals, distributed among multiple players across different lineups, speaks volumes about the team`s attacking versatility and depth.
The ability to fluidly switch formations and successfully integrate younger talents like Comotto, as well as players returning from injury, bodes well for the demanding season ahead. It demonstrates that the squad`s core strengths remain, and new tactical nuances are being woven into their fabric. The physical conditioning, despite the long travel and friendly schedule, appeared robust, allowing for sustained high-intensity play.
Return to Europe: Tougher Tests Await
With their Australian adventure now concluded, the Rossoneri squad is set to embark on the long journey back to Milan. Training will resume swiftly, with attention turning to more formidable opponents: Leeds United in Dublin on August 9th, followed by a significant clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 10th. These fixtures will serve as the true indicators of their pre-season progress, all building towards their official competitive debut in the Coppa Italia on August 17th.
Milan’s summer odyssey has been a resounding success off the pitch, strengthening global brand presence and engaging fans across continents. On the pitch, it has been a powerful statement of attacking intent and defensive solidarity, albeit against lesser opposition. The question now remains: how will this dominance translate against Europe`s elite as the competitive season draws closer? Only time, and a few more rigorous tests, will tell.
Adrian Whitmore