AC Milan vs Barcelona 05/08/18

5 August 2018

AC Milan’s disastrous International Champions Cup appearance where they have lost both of their matches, on penalties against Manchester United and 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur’s youth squad,can only get worse, as they are looking to take on the Catalan heavyweights Barcelona at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Rossoneri have started the preparation period with a routine 2-0 win over the Serie B side Novara after which they made the trip to the United States, where Gennaro Gattuso intended to get some positive signs from his players that unfortunately for him haven’t gone as planned. The same goes for the Blaugrana although it’s fair to be said that Ernesto Valverde didn’t get the chance to field Leo Messi, Coutinho, Luis Suarez, and Ousmane Dembele in both games they have played so far in the USA. After achieving a tight victory over Tottenham Hotspur on penalties, current La Liga champions miserably failed against AS Roma, who performed an outstanding comeback in the second half, eventually defeating Barcelona by four goals to two although they have been trailing by a goal since 49th minute when Malcom put Barca in front.

Gattuso won’t have Bonucci at his disposal, as the now former Milan captain returned to Juventus, while the Rossoneri got Mattia Caldara and Gonzalo Higuain in return. As for Barcelona, Valverde will once again have to settle with the mixed squad crippled by the absences of many fundamental first-team members.