Alvaro Morata made his debut, while Alexis Saelemaekers impressed with a stunning rabona goal, and Daniel Maldini found the net as well. The evening was special not just for the players but also for the fans, as the iconic San Siro stadium buzzed with excitement. Over 54,000 supporters gathered for the second edition of the Berlusconi Trophy, a match that broke the suffocating heat of Milan and gave a sense of satisfaction to AC Milan, who triumphed over Monza with a 3-1 scoreline.
This trophy, dedicated to former Milan and Monza president Silvio Berlusconi, concluded Milan’s pre-season perfectly, with a record of one draw and four wins, leaving them unbeaten. Yet, both teams still have a lot of work to do just days before their league campaigns kick off, with Milan set to host Torino and Monza traveling to Empoli. The coaches, Paulo Fonseca and Alessandro Nesta, aimed to give ample playing time to their squads, mixing first-team players with reserves throughout the game.
Fonseca deployed Morata in a 4-2-3-1 formation, supported by key players like Rafael Leão, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Saelemaekers occupied the right flank, while a unique midfield partnership of Yunus Musah and Adli took shape, and in defense, it was Gabbia and Terracciano. Notably, Kalulu was not included in the squad.
Nesta opted for a 3-4-2-1 setup, placing Maric at the heart of the attack with support from Vignato and Maldini. Their midfield consisted of Sensi and Bondo, while Pizzignacco guarded the goal. The first half showcased Milan’s high pressing and quick ball movement, although there were defensive lapses that allowed Monza some chances, particularly after half an hour when the Rossoneri struggled under the oppressive heat and humidity.
Morata reaffirmed his commitment to team dynamics, assisting in linking play while Leão’s speed caused anxiety for Monza’s defense. Loftus-Cheek performed well in his advanced role, and Saelemaekers stood out not only for his goal but also for his effective partnership with Calabria on the right flank.
Milan opened the scoring through Saelemaekers’ clever rabona, which was deflected in by Pablo Mari. The build-up to the goal was commendable, initiated by a collective recovery after Milan’s five-man pressure on the left. Monza responded strongly, with Vignato delivering the equalizer through a low cross that Maldini met before the defender could react, earning cheers from the crowd.
The second half saw a complete overhaul from Fonseca, who replaced all eleven players on the pitch. This change sparked a resurgence for Milan, with Luka Jovic scoring from a close-range finish after an excellent pass from Okafor just two minutes after the restart. Shortly after, Reijnders sealed the victory with a thunderous free kick that left Pizzignacco with no chance.
The match wrapped up with a sense of accomplishment for Milan, reinforcing their preparations ahead of the new season, while also honoring Berlusconi with an emotionally charged evening at the Meazza.
