André Silva squeezes in late goal giving A.C. Milan 1-0 win over FC Barcelona

André Silva squeezes in late goal giving A.C. Milan 1-0 win over FC Barcelona

Over 51,000 fans packed Levi’s Stadium today for the International Champions Cup match between A.C. Milan and FC Barcelona. Though the game seemed that it would end in a draw, A.C. Milan players had a different outcome in mind.

Right from the start of the game, Barcelona dominated the match. They maintained possession extremely well and completed nearly 800 passes. Even when they lost possession of the ball, they were able to retrieve it fairly easily and continue passing. Barcelona was able to hold possession for 68.5% of the match compared to Milan’s 31.5%.

Barcelona’s solid possession lead to a few great chances in the first half. Their closest attempt came in the 41st minute when defender Juan Miranda’s shot was deflected and landed in front of Malcom Silva. Silva immediately took his shot, but unfortunately hit the far post.

Nearly seconds after Silva’s failed attempt, Barcelona regained possession and forward Munir El Haddidi produced an incredible shot that was just inches wide of the post.

Though Barcelona held possession for a majority of the match, A.C. Milan also had great chances. One occurred after Suso perfectly placed a cross in front of Cutrone Patrick. Milan soon lost possession, however, when Patrick passed the ball back instead of using the opportunity to take a shot.

A.C. Milan adjusted their defensive style of play and increased their number of attacks in the second half, totaling five shots on target–almost equaling Barcelona’s six shots on target.

After A.C. Milan midfielder Franck Kessié was issued a yellow card in the 66’, tensions on the field rose. Whether it was the lack of a goal for either side or simply one too many fouls that set off the players, it was obvious everyone on the pitch was getting increasingly frustrated as the minutes ticked by.

Barcelona continued to press until the end of the match. Midfielder Ricard “Riqui” Puig had a very close chance that could have won the game for his squad, but his missed opportunity resulted in an A.C. Milan counterattack.

Neither Milan’s nor Barcelona’s attempts were successful until the 90+3’ when André Silva gave A.C. Milan the winner. Once Kessie Franck controlled the cross he received in the box, he passed the ball to Silva. Silva quickly shot toward the near post, catching Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Ter Stegen off guard as he was leaning the opposite way.

The excitement didn’t end when the final whistle was blown and A.C. Milan recorded a win, as a few Barcelona fans rushed the field and gave security a run for their money–literally.

A.C. Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named the Man of the Match after multiple great saves.

Starting XIs

FC Barcelona: Jasper Cillessen (Marc Ter Stegen), Juan Miranda, Clément Lenglet, Marlon Santos (Óscar Mingueza), Nélson Semedo, Arthur, Sergi Roberto (c), Rafinha (Abel Ruiz), Malcom Silva, Paco Alcácer (Ricard Puig), Munir El Haddadi

A.C. Milan: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ricardo Rodríguez (Luca Antonelli), Alessio Romagnoli (c), Mateo Musacchio (Cristián Zapata), Davide Calabria (Ignazio Abate), Hakan Calhanoglu, Manuel Locatelli (José Mauri), Franck Kessié, Fabio Borini (Alen Halilović), Patrick Cutrone (André Silva), Suso (Giacomo Bonaventura)