On August 8, 2023, the inaugural edition of the Trofeo Berlusconi took place at the U-Power Stadium in Monza, featuring a thrilling encounter between AC Milan and Monza. The match ended in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with goals from Christian Pulisic for Milan and Andrea Colpani for Monza.
The teams lined up in contrasting formations, with Monza opting for a 3-4-2-1 setup under coach Alessandro Nesta. Goalkeeper Pizzignacco was protected by a back three of Izzo, P. Marì, and A. Carboni. The midfield featured Birindelli, Bondo, Pessina, and Kyriakopoulos, while Maldini and Mota Carvalho supported lone striker Petagna in the attack.
Milan, on the other hand, adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation guided by manager Paulo Fonseca. Star goalkeeper Mike Maignan led the defense, which included Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, and Hernandez. In midfield, Bennacer and Reijnders controlled the game, while the attacking trio of Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, and Leao provided support for main striker Alvaro Morata.
The match was broadcast live on Canale 5 and was also available for streaming on Infinity and Sportmediaset. Those who wanted to follow along with minute-by-minute updates could do so on Gazzetta.it, ensuring that fans both in Italy and abroad could stay connected with this exciting fixture. Milan ultimately lifted the trophy after their victory in the penalty shootout, securing early bragging rights in this new competition.