AC Milan concluded their extensive Asia-Australia pre-season tour with a resounding 9-0 victory over local side Perth Glory. This final friendly, played in Perth, served as a comprehensive demonstration of the Rossoneri`s offensive capabilities and provided tactical insights for coach Massimiliano Allegri ahead of their return to Italy.
A First-Half Offensive Masterclass
From the whistle, the disparity in class was immediately evident. Milan, opting for a fluid 4-3-3 formation, swiftly established dominance. It took less than three minutes for Filippo Terracciano to open the scoring, capitalising on a neat one-two with Okafor. The floodgates, it seemed, were merely waiting for a polite knock.
Perth Glory, despite their commendable effort, found themselves in the unenviable position of providing target practice. The Rossoneri’s relentless attack soon saw Noah Okafor double the lead, finishing a superb individual effort from Alex Jimenez, who skillfully weaved past three defenders before delivering the decisive assist. A promising sign indeed for coach Allegri, indicating Jimenez`s full recovery and readiness to contribute.
Okafor wasn`t content with just one, quickly adding a second to complete his brace, a clinical tap-in after a powerful shot from Loftus-Cheek was parried. The game, effectively a non-contest, continued its trajectory towards a rout. The young talent Comotto, celebrating his 17th birthday just months prior, calmly converted a penalty to make it 4-0 after being fouled in the box. Not long after, the persistent Samuel Chukwueze, following several earlier attempts, finally found his reward, netting the fifth goal just past the half-hour mark. The scoreboard, at this point, resembled a phone number, though presumably with more zeroes than Perth Glory would have liked.
Second-Half Reinforcements and Relentless Scoring
The second half began with a completely revamped Milan lineup, but the narrative remained unchanged. Within a mere 15 seconds, Rafael Leão, deployed centrally, showcased his blistering pace to notch Milan`s sixth goal. The match continued without historical significance, with Perth valiantly attempting to stem the tide.
While Fofana narrowly missed, Ricci unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, converting after a clever back-heel from Liberali and an assist from Saelemaekers. The eighth goal was a moment of individual brilliance from Yunus Musah, who embarked on a dazzling solo run before slotting home. Leão, not to be outdone by Okafor, then bagged his second of the evening, concluding the nine-goal festival.
Allegri`s Measured Optimism and the Road Ahead
For coach Allegri, the commanding victory offered positive indicators, particularly concerning the defensive solidity – a clean sheet, regardless of the opponent`s calibre, is always welcome – and the offensive creativity, evidenced by the sheer volume of chances created. However, Allegri wisely tempered expectations, acknowledging the significant gulf in quality between the two teams. This result, while impressive, should be viewed through the lens of a developmental friendly, not a definitive gauge of Serie A readiness.
The tour now complete, AC Milan is set to return to Italy, with training resuming promptly on Wednesday, August 5th. This signals the transition from global exhibition to focused preparation for competitive fixtures. The Rossoneri will face two more significant tests: against Leeds United on August 9th in Dublin, and then a formidable encounter with Chelsea on August 10th at Stamford Bridge. These matches will be crucial final tune-ups before Milan`s official season debut in the Coppa Italia on Sunday, August 17th.
Conclusion
AC Milan`s dominant performance against Perth Glory, while not a true measure of their competitive strength, provided valuable match fitness and showcased the depth of their squad. The Asia-Australia tour successfully served its purpose, allowing players to build chemistry, test various tactical setups, and acclimatize to the season ahead. As the team returns to Milanello, the focus will sharpen, with high-profile friendlies and the Coppa Italia opener serving as the true litmus tests for their ambitions this season. The Rossoneri are ready, or at least, ready to truly begin their preparations.
