Real Madrid have started preparations for the 2021/22 season a couple of weeks ago, and have announced another pre-season friendly, this time against AC Milan. Los Blancos are into their season week of pre-season and some those involved in Euro 2020 and the Copa America and Olympics are still to join up with Carlo Ancelotti's squad.
A friendly against Milan have been announced on August 8 at the Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt, Austria, with kick off scheduled for 18:30 CEST. Ancelotti's men have already played one pre-season friendly - a 3-1 win over Fuenlabrada at Valdebebas. They also arranged another match against Steven Gerrard's Rangers side at Ibrox Stadium where they lost 2-1.
It’s always a great event when two teams that have made history in their home country, continent and even world meet. It’s all about Real Madrid and AC Milan. Together they have more than 100 major trophies where 20 Uefa Champions League titles are included. The event is even greater when it’s purpose is related to a great cause like that of fighting racism.
Real Madrid also made an official announcement regarding this match: “Real Madrid and AC Milan will lock horns on Sunday 8 August after Carlo Ancelotti's charges added another fixture to their pre-season campaign. The encounter, which will kick off at 6.30pm (CET), will be played at Klagenfurt's Wörthersee Stadion (Austria) and see the European Cup's two most decorated sides go head-to-head. Between them, the two clubs have lifted the continental crown on 20 occasions (Real Madrid's 13 triumphs and AC Milans's seven). The match will be played under the slogan #AthletesVersus Cup as part of the battle against discrimination and racism”.
These two historic clubs last faced each other in a preseason friendly which ended 3-1 in Real Madrid’s favor prior to the start of the 2018-19 season. The two have gone head-to-head 15 times in the clubs’ history with a record of 6-6-3. This match will be special for Carletto since he has coached both of the teams and has reached a great success with both of them!
The team's preparations for the new season have been far from ideal due to the number of players that have been away following international commitments, but Carlo Ancelotti's squad is now taking shape, with the new La Liga campaign beginning next weekend with a trip to Alaves. News of Lionel Messi's shock Barcelona exit has rocked the world of football, but Real Madrid have financial issues of their own and have only managed to make one signing this summer, bringing in David Alaba on a free transfer, with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane both moving on. Los Blancos were only two points off champions Atletico Madrid and will believe that they can launch a strong challenge for the title this term. On paper, the start to the season may be kind for Ancelotti's side and there is certainly a chance that they could be top of the division heading into the first Clasico of the season against Barcelona towards the end of October. However, the it’s the field that will say the final word!
Milan, meanwhile, are technically behind Real Madrid in their preparations for the new season, as the Italian giants do not start their Serie A campaign until August 23, facing a trip to Sampdoria. However, Stefano Pioli's side have had a busy pre-season in terms of matches, beating Pro Sesto 6-0 and Modena 5-0 in their opening two friendlies of the summer towards the end of July. Milan then drew 1-1 with Nice on July 31 before losing to Valencia on penalties following a goalless draw at Mestalla on Wednesday night. The Red and Blacks have been busy during this summer's transfer window, signing Fikayo Tomori, Mike Maignan, Sandro Tonali, Fode Ballo-Toure, Brahim Diaz and Olivier Giroud to boost their squad ahead of the new season, but they are still searching for more to complete the team and also fill the empty spot that Calhanoglu left after joining the city rivals FC Inter.
Los Blancos are building towards their season opener against Alaves on August 14, while Milan have two more friendlies before beginning their Serie A campaign against Sampdoria on August 23. Both of the teams have their respective problems in this pre-seasonal period and this upcoming season seems to be bringing many challenges to them; challenges that mostly have the same origin: the financial status! The time is running and the need to complete the team with the proper players gets harder and harder... But first, let’s enjoy this beautiful match!
As for the called up players: Real Madrid will be without Marco Asensio, who is currently serving Olympics duty with Spain after their gold medal loss to Brazil. Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are also likely unavailable as they are recovering from injuries. Toni Kroos will be unavailable for selection through injury, while Alvaro Odriozola has tested positive for coronavirus, but a number of the team's key players are now back in training ahead of the new season. Karim Benzema returned to training this week and he could be involved while Eden Hazard has also returned after his injury stint. Milan will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ismael Bennacer who are both out injured. Franck Kessie will also be unavailable after serving Olympics duty with Cote d’Ivoire.
The potential XI are as follows:
Real Madrid: Lunin; Odriozola, Nacho, Militao, Marcelo; Ødegaard, Isco, Valverde; Vazquez, Vinicius, Benzema
AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo; Pobega, Tonali; Castillejo, Brahim, Krunic; Giroud
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