AC Milan has officially concluded its pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, leaving a rather emphatic calling card in Perth. A resounding 9-0 victory over local side Perth Glory marked the end of the Rossoneri`s foreign excursion, a match that, while lopsided, offered valuable insights into the squad`s early preparations for the demanding season ahead. One might say Perth Glory offered a truly *glorious* opportunity for Milan to practice their scoring prowess without undue pressure.
A Flood of Goals: The First Half Dominance
From the opening whistle, the disparity in class between the Italian giants and the Australian club was evident. Milan`s tactical fluidity under coach Allegri, shifting from a 3-5-2 to a more familiar 4-3-3, immediately paid dividends. Just three minutes into the game, Filippo Terracciano opened the scoring, capping off a neat one-two with Okafor. The floodgates, it seemed, were merely waiting for the slightest nudge.
Perth Glory, to their credit, attempted a few forays forward, but their efforts were swiftly extinguished. Milan’s offensive machine, meanwhile, was just getting warmed up. Okafor doubled the lead after a spectacular dribbling run from Alex Jimenez, a performance that undoubtedly sent a positive message to Allegri regarding the young Spaniard`s recovery and readiness. The Swiss forward then notched his second, demonstrating a keen eye for rebounds. The first half alone saw Milan bag five goals, including a penalty converted by the 17-year-old talent Comotto and a persistent effort from Chukwueze, who finally found the back of the net after several attempts.
Second Half Showcase: Young Guns and Established Stars
The interval brought a complete overhaul of Milan`s lineup, but the goal-scoring momentum remained unbroken. Rafael Leão, stepping into a central attacking role, needed only 15 seconds to announce his presence, exploiting his pace to make it 6-0. The match continued largely as a one-sided affair, with Perth Glory`s defense resembling more of a suggestion than a barrier.
Further goals came from unexpected, yet welcome, sources. Ricci unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box after a clever backheel from Liberali and an assist from Saelemaekers. Musah then added an impressive solo effort, highlighting individual brilliance. Leão, not content with just one, secured his brace, sealing the 9-0 triumph. It was a performance that allowed many players to gain crucial match fitness and confidence, a primary objective of any pre-season fixture, even if the opposition was, shall we say, remarkably accommodating.
Strategic Takeaways and the Road Ahead
While the scoreline demands a healthy dose of perspective—after all, it was a friendly against an opponent with significantly less international experience—Milan can draw several positives. The defense held firm, maintaining a clean sheet throughout the match. More importantly, the attacking phase created numerous opportunities, demonstrating the squad`s potential for fluidity and diverse scoring threats. Allegri`s decision to rotate and test different combinations across both halves also provided valuable insights into player readiness and tactical adaptability.
With the Australian leg of the tour concluded, AC Milan is now set to return to Italy. Training will resume promptly on Wednesday, August 5th, as attention shifts to the next phase of pre-season. The Rossoneri face two more formidable tests before their competitive debut in the Coppa Italia on Sunday, August 17th: an encounter with Leeds on August 9th in Dublin, followed by a clash against Chelsea on August 10th at Stamford Bridge. These upcoming fixtures will provide a far more accurate barometer of Milan`s progress and readiness to challenge at the highest level. The 9-0 victory was a pleasant send-off, but the real work, and indeed, the real battles, are still on the horizon.
Murray Blackwood