Valverde scored twice and Vinícius Júnior added the final goal as Real Madrid rallied to beat Milan 3-2 in their first game of the U.S. preseason tour. The scoreline flipped after halftime, with Madrid overcoming a 2-0 deficit in Pasadena, California.
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted the match before a large, mostly Real Madrid-supporting crowd. Madrid turned the game around in the second half after trailing at the break.
Carlo Ancelotti lined up Real Madrid in a 4-4-2 diamond midfield, a setup he has been testing ahead of the new campaign.
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Madrid rolled out three new offensive starters for the test: Jude Bellingham in a forward role, with Joselu and Brahim ahead in support.
Arda Güler, the only new Turkish addition who did not participate, missed the final practice on Saturday due to a minor illness.
With Kroos operating as the central axis of the rhombus, the Spanish side began to fuse in the middle and found width through Lucas Vázquez and Ferland Mendy.
The first real Madrid chance came before the 10-minute mark. A low drive from Valverde rattled the woodwork.
Abraham, returning to the team where he spent three loan spells, began finding space between the lines and linking with Bellingham, controlling the neutral zones more effectively.
However, a miscue by Mendy and Camavinga allowed Colombo to strike from a left-footed attempt near Lunin’s goal in the 17th minute.
Madrid appeared to press more in attack, though clear-cut chances remained scarce. A defensive lapse by Militao and Nacho on the 25th minute left Tomori unmarked at a corner, and he headed home decisively from close range.
The goal energized Milan, and two minutes later Messias Jr. found space from outside the area to deliver a shot that tested Lunin near the post.
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The goal did not alter Madrid’s approach, as the defense continued to look hesitant and unable to stifle the threat from Milan’s forward lines.
Nacho’s hurried departure opened a channel for Luka Romero, who arrived as a replacement and forced Lunin into action with a precise left-footed strike after being fed by Messias Jr.
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Ancelotti’s halftime reshuffle involved eight substitutions, a rapid rotation that included Joselu leaving early and Fran García entering the fray.
The Brazilian duo of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo injected considerable energy into Madrid’s attack and added bite to the team’s offensive phase.
Rodrygo nearly marked the comeback with a strike after a sharp run from the right, but the goalkeeper produced a strong save to deny him at the near post.
Moments later, a misplayed touch by Milan’s keeper gave Madrid the initiative. Valverde seized the moment with a long-range shot that slipped past Sportiello, leveling the score in the 57th minute.
Two minutes later the Uruguayan found the back of the net again after Milan failed to clear. Valverde intercepted the ball and fired a composed finish, sending the Rose Bowl into a chorus of applause.
Bellingham played 63 minutes in his first appearance for Madrid in this pre-season, leaving an impression with his movement and two-way work. He left to a standing ovation as the game continued to unfold.
Milan made ten changes and created several chances through Giroud and Romero, but a resolute Lunin stood tall to preserve the draw until Madrid’s late spell.
Then, Modric delivered a perfect pass to exploit a space behind Milan’s line, feeding Vinícius Jr. for a decisive finish that sealed Madrid’s 3-2 comeback win and drew celebratory songs from the Rose Bowl crowd.
– Data sheet:
3. Real Madrid: Lunin; Vázquez, Nacho, Militao, Mendy; Kroos, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Joselu, Brahim.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.
2. Milan: Sportiello; Calabria, Simic, Tomori, Florenzi; Krunic, Loftus-Cheek, Pobega; Messias Jr., Colombo, Pulisic.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.
Goals: 0-1 Tomori (25). 0-2 Romero (42). 1-2 Valverde (57). 2-2 Valverde (59). 3-2 Vinícius Jr. (84).
Referee: Timothy Ford. He cautioned Romero during the Milan half.
Events: Friendly match played before 70,814 spectators at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Los Angeles, USA.