Real Madrid and AC Milan travelled to Austria for a preseason friendly in front of 30,000 fans at the Worthersee Stadium. Carlo Ancelotti and Stefano Pioli played their cards accordingly, but the pre-season game was sluggish and failed to impress.
The new goalkeeper of AC Milan, Mike Maignan made a big blunder that was very close to being picked up by Luka Jovic early on.
The best chances came through Milan who hit the post, and Isco, whose spin and shot brushed the outside of the net.
Gareth Bale looked to surely open the scoring after he was sent clean through and took a good first touch into his path - but he was chopped down in the area by Davide Calabria.
Bale stepped up to try and claim justice, but Maignan redeemed himself and made a low save to his left to keep it even at halftime.
After the break, there were six substitutions from Real Madrid.
The second half brought much change, with six substitutes entering the action. The intensity of the game seemed to depart alongside the players that were switched out, and other than a great Andriy Lunin save to deny Brahim Diaz from distance - it was a really forgettable second period.
The young Castilla players introduced played with heart and something to prove to Ancelotti, and there were some great spells in possession by all involved.
That did not stop numerous pitch invaders from providing the best bit of entertainment of the game. Sergio Arribas volleyed just over the target with minutes to go, but that would prove to be the last real chance at preventing a goalless scoreline.
It finished 0-0, with Lunin providing the strongest takeaway.
According to Tuttosport via Sempremilan, some of the players struggled to show much during the friendly, starting with Alexis Saelemaekers. The Belgian winger showed strong desire but missed the chance to register an assist for Rafael Leao.
Brahim Diaz was keen to do well against the team he is on loan from, and although he forced Lunin to make a great save on a nice right-footed shot, the Rossoneri No.10 was not as sharp as in other friendlies and struggled to make a mark.
Olivier Giroud made his first start and although he tried to get involved in the game, he appeared isolated at times and was not served well by his teammates.
Rade Krunic confirmed that he is not suitable for a two-man midfield and did not much to help Sandro Tonali. Ante Rebic entered at the beginning of the second half meanwhile, but physically and mentally he is not yet at his best.
David Alaba was the standout performer as Real Madrid took on AC Milan in Austria on Sunday, making his debut at center-back for Los Blancos while wearing the famous No.4 shirt vacated by Sergio Ramos this summer.
Carlo Ancelotti has no doubt that the club's big signing this summer has to be the side's defensive leader this coming season, and Alaba was pleased with how things went in his first game for the club.
“The secret behind my adaptation is the team,” Alaba said to Real Madrid TV. "All of my teammates have made me feel very welcome and it's nice to have debuted with Real Madrid.
“I felt very comfortable in the game and I'm happy with how I've started.”
Alaba was strong physically and showed his pace and power at the back. With the ball at his feet, he is excellent and offers good distribution from deep. He came close with a 30-meter strike as well, showing himself to be a danger in the final third.
MARCA stated, the best players so far have been the new players, David Alaba and Gareth Bale. It really is right to think of Bale as such. The Austrian denied a Milan goal early on and the Welshman won a penalty, though he did then miss from 12 yards. Once Benzema returns, however, he will assume the responsibility of taking penalties in the post-Sergio Ramos era.
They further stated, after seeing Real Madrid take on Rangers and AC Milan this pre-season, it's clear to see that Carlo Ancelotti still has some homework to do for a while yet. Los Blancos haven't shown anything special compared to last season, and with La Liga starting on Saturday it's time for fans to fasten their seatbelts.
Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 09/08/2021 Real Madrid and AC Milan fire blank
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Faisal Caesar
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