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Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 22, 2017 at 10.35am UK
 
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0-4

FT(HT: 0-3)
Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')

Live Commentary: Bayern Munich 0-4 AC Milan - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of AC Milan's 4-0 win over Bayern Munich, as Patrick Cutrone got off the mark with his first senior goals.
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Patrick Cutrone scored his first senior goals for AC Milan in a comfortable 4-0 win over Bayern Munich at the Longgang Stadium in Shenzhen.

The teenage striker netted twice in a dominant first-half showing from his side after Franck Kessie had earlier opened the scoring from 12 yards out.

Summer signing Hakan Calhanoglu rounded off the scoring five minutes from time with a trademark strike from the edge of the box, making it back-to-back defeats for Bayern.

Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the International Champions Cup match between Bayern Munich and AC Milan in Shenzhen. This morning's clash at the Longgang Stadium provides both sides with a chance to bounce back following disappointing results in their opening Asia tour outings earlier this week.

Milan may have spent big this summer, splashing out some £155m on new talent, but they are still very much in transition. That was clear to see against Borussia Dortmund last time out when blown away early on, finding themselves two goals down inside the opening quarter of the match before going on to lose 3-1.

It was a much better showing from Bayern in their meeting with Arsenal, meanwhile, yet they were somehow held to a 1-1 draw in that one before then going down 3-2 on penalties. Carlo Ancelotti's men looked far sharper than their opponents, really cutting them open with ease at certain points in Shanghai, but their profligacy came back to haunt them when Alex Iwobi equalised late on.

Not a great start for either team, then, but far more is expected results wise over their remaining summer fixtures. While German champions Bayern still have a month to go before their Bundesliga campaign begins, with a cup tie to come before than against a lower-league side, a rejuvenated Milan's season gets up and running in just five days' time.

The Rossoneri are in Europa League qualifying action, taking on Craiova in a match that they are strong favourites to win over the two legs. The return match is played a week later, and there is also a friendly with Real Betis on August 9, so Vincenzo Montella should have his players in good shape by the time the Serie A season begins next month. While the title will likely still be out of reach, cracking the top three has to be the minimum target.

As already touched upon, Montella has spent £155m on new talent - a bigger outlay than any other side on the continent, which is saying something when you look at the obscene amounts being spent by Premier League clubs. Leonardo Bonucci is the highest profile of the arrivals, incredibly joining from champions Juventus in what will surely be the biggest coup of the summer in any division.

Andre Silva, Andrea Conti, Mateo Musacchio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Lucas Biglia and Antonio Donnarumma have also joined, while young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma signed a new contract when it looked certain at one point that he would leave. A truly magical summer for those Rossoneri supporters, though it will surely take some time for the new players to adapt. This is a side that last won the league title in 2011, finishing second, third, eighth, tenth, seventh and sixth since then.

TEAM NEWS!

BAYERN MUNICH XI: Fruchtl, Rafinha, Hummels, Javi Martinez, Bernat, Alaba, Tolisso, Coman, Muller, Ribery, Lewandowski

AC MILAN XI: Donnarumma, Abate, Rodriguez, Zapata, Musacchio, Kessie, Montolivo, Bonaventura, Cutrone, Niang, Borini


Rather incredibly, Bayern fielded Tom Starke between the sticks against Arsenal a few days back, despite the veteran stopper announcing his retirement at the end of last season. Christian Fruchtl was brought on from the bench in Shanghai and is given a starting spot today, while Javi Martinez - or possibly David Alaba - will drop into central defence alongside Mats Hummels.

There is another chance to see Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski in attack once again, with Ribery in particular really impressing against Arsenal in midweek. Corentin Tolisso is one of the high-profile signings made by Ancelotti during the off-season, fielding the ex-Lyon man in central midfield for the second game running, but fellow new boy James Rodriguez sits this one out.

In terms of the Rossoneri, promising young manager Montella has named a rather mixed side. In goal is star stopper Donnarumma, who is now contracted to Milan for the long term after recently putting pen to paper. M'Baye Niang is given a chance to shine in attack after returning from his Premier League loan spell, while another player with experience of playing in England's top flight, Fabio Borini, starts up top.

Milan are without Biglia, Silva and Bonucci today, but there is a chance to see fellow new boy Ricardo Rodriguez in defence, while Musacchio is also included from the off. As witnessed against Dortmund a few days ago, the Rossoneri will take some time to get going, but once those summer signings are integrated into the fold they could well become a real force on the European stage.

It remains to be seen exactly how strong Milan will be this coming season, but we know exactly what to expect from Bayern. Winning the Bundesliga is the very minimum target for Ancelotti, with success in the Champions League now the true barometer of just how good this side is. The Bavarians stuttered a tad in the first half of last season, only managing to pull away from RB Leipzig just before the winter break, though in the end it was a stroll and they comfortably lifted the title - again!

Exiting the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, going down 6-3 to Real Madrid on aggregate, would have hurt Ancelotti. There had been claims that this Bayern side has become a little stale in recent times, so the Italian tactician responded by bringing in some fresh faces, including the aforementioned duo of Tolisso and Rodriguez. Kingsley Coman has also been brought in permanently after impressing on loan, while deals for Hoffenheim pair Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy have been finalised.

Both sets of players have now made their way out onto the field at the Longgang Stadium in Shenzhen. We have already looked at the starting lineups, so let us now turn attention to both benches.

BENCH WATCH!

BAYERN MUNICH SUBS: Dorsch, Friedl, Gotze, Hoffmann, Pantovic, Rodriguez, Sanches, Starke, Wintzheimer

AC MILAN SUBS: Donnarumma, Storari, Antonelli, Bonucci, Conti, Gabbia, Gomez, Paletta, Biglia, Calhanoglu, Crociata, Mauri, Sosa, Zanellato, Bacca, Silva


Star-studded benches to say the least, including a number of new recruits for both teams. The second half of Bayern's meeting with Arsenal was rather disappointing for the neutral, with the game heavily disrupted due to the sheer number of changes. That can be expected in these summer fixtures, of course, though fingers crossed there is more of a flow to this match between two of European football's heavyweight sides.

Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates after he scores the second goal for Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund in Munich, southern Germany, on October 4, 2015© Getty Images


KICKOFF! We are up and running in Shenzhen in this latest International Champions Cup tie. Two changes made by Bayern Munich from their penalty-shootout defeat to Arsenal, while AC Milan have two of their numerous summer signings to call upon from the off - Ricardo Rodriguez and Mateo Musacchio.

ATTEMPT! Milan win themselves an early corner, which is swung into a dangerous zone. Mateo Musacchio, one of those summer signings I mentioned pre-match, gets his head to the ball but it lacks power and is easily handled by Fruchtl.

A first sign of Coman, as he charges down the right and gets the ball into the box. Was not the best of deliveries, in truth, but Gianluigi Donnarumma struggled at full stretch and could only help the ball on rather than catching it.

Ricardo Rodriguez finds himself in a bit of space and puts his boot through the ball from range. A deflection took the sting out of the shot, though, and Fruchtl got down to keep the ball in play before it went out for a corner.

Milan looking so much brighter in the opening stages of this game compared to a few days ago against Dortmund. Certainly on the front foot so far, seeing a weak penalty shout rejected after Cutrone was sent to the ground inside the box.

Bayern yet to really find their groove, which is strange considering how sharp they looked against Arsenal. A good ball into the box from Coman down the right ends with a couple of Milan defenders combining to help it behind for a corner.

Ribery, much like in the last game, is looking Bayern's liveliest player on the ball. Milan still on top in Shenzhen at the moment, however, dictating the tempo of the game but struggling to really create anything in front of goal.

GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 0-1 AC MILAN (FRANCK KESSIE)

Milan have a goal that their bright start to this game deserves. Great play from new signing Ricardo Rodriguez, exchanging passes with Niang down the left and then cutting the ball back, via a deflection, for Franck Kessie to blast home from near the penalty spot.

Ancelotti's men really need to step things up, because at the moment they are failing to really keep hold of possession. Milan, two goals down at this point against Dortmund, have looked very good in the opening quarter of this match.

Bayern so incredibly sloppy at the moment, struggling to put too many passes together. A terrible Milan backpass almost allowed Lewandowski in a few moments ago, but Gianluigi Donnarumma just about got to the ball first.

Niang shoots and Hummels blocks, but the ball deflected towards his own goal. Fruchtl got down well to keep it out, though replays show that the ball was likely creeping wide anyway. Milan looking the more likely to score a second of the game.

The game has gone a little stale at the moment, with Bayern trying their best to get themselves back into the game. Hummels drags down Niang on the break with minimal contact, giving away a free kick but escaping a booking.

GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 0-2 AC MILAN (PATRICK CUTRONE)

Cutrone celebrates as though he has just scored in the World Cup final! You can hardly blame him, with this his first goal for the Milan senior side, albeit in a summer friendly. Great free-kick delivery from Rodriguez, which the 19-year-old superbly headed past Fruchtl from the penalty spot.

I am reluctant to say Milan deserve a two goal lead, as they have only had three attempts on target all morning. The Italian club have been dominant on the ball throughout, though, with Ricardo Rodriguez bagging a couple of assists.

BAYERN MUNICH SUB! Time for a drinks break in the humid Shenzhen heat. Prior to that Bernat picked up a little knock which left him in some pain, and it has been decided that he will not be risked - Marco Friedl his replacement.

A little over 10 minutes to go until half time and still Bayern have yet to create a single opening - or even so much as have an attempt. Alaba has moved to left-back and Friedl has slotted into the middle following that early sub.

Bayern's best moment of the match so far, as Ribery picks out Muller just inside the box. The German forward could not quite get the ball out from under his feet and, after failing to play in Coman, he had to settle for a corner.

For the second time in the first half of this friendly a Milan counter is halted illegally. Fortunately for the guilty parties it is only friendly so no yellow cards have been issued. Milan looking for a third here before the half-time interval.

Bayern have just shown the odd glimpse that they have more to offer over the past few minutes. Lewandowski flew in at the back post and nodded the ball back across goal, before Coman was brought down in the box. The referee waved away the appeals.

SHOT! Not far wide at all from leading marksman Robert Lewandowski on the edge of the box; a controlled strike from range after his initial free-kick attempt hit the wall and was only half-cleared by the Milan defence.

CHANCE! Unbelievable skill from Ribery, who has been Bayern's best player so far this summer by quite some distance. The Frenchman jinked his way past one, two and then three Milan players, before squaring the ball for Lewandowski who could not make contact from close range.

GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 0-3 AC MILAN (PATRICK CUTRONE)

Never read too much into pre-season results, they say, but this is one that could send shockwaves around Europe. Milan have had a couple of counters halted in their tracks in this first half, though Niang ensured that would not happen on this occasions, creating the attack that culminated in Bonaventura picking out Cutrone for his second.

HALF TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 0-3 AC MILAN

The half-time whistle sounds at the Longgang Stadium in Shenzhen, meaning the most comfortable of half-time leads for AC Milan against Bayern Munich. The Italian club have been dominant from pretty much the off, converting from each of their big chances to give Carlo Ancelotti plenty to think about at the midway point.

In a complete contrast to both sides' opening matches, when Bayern were on top in the first half against Arsenal and Milan were outplayed by Borussia Dortmund, it was the Italian side who dictated play from the off. Mateo Musacchio had an on-target header kept out inside the opening 90 seconds of the match, but it was another summer signing who was making the telling difference.

Ricardo Rodriguez, who joined from Wolfsburg in a £15m deal, exchanged passes with M'Baye Niang down the left before picking out Franck Kessie on the penalty spot, with the youngster blasting the ball past Juan Bernat on the line. Milan were continuing to see plenty of the ball and, with a little over a quarter of the match played, had themselves a second when Rodriguez this time swung in a free kick for Patrick Cutrone to brilliantly nod past Christian Fruchtl.

The Bavarian outfit finally started to assert themselves a little more in the closing stages of the first half, seeing a Robert Lewandowski shot drift narrowly wide, before Franck Ribery's slalom run into the box ended with the Polish striker somehow failing to connect with the ball from a few yards out. Moments later Milan had a killer third as Niang led a counter and picked out Giacomo Bonaventura, who in turn spotted young striker Cutrone for his second senior goal in Rossoneri colours.

Only a pre-season friendly, of course, but Ancelotti will not be too pleased with his players at this stage. Plenty of options to call upon from the bench, though he may instead hold out until the hour mark before changing things.

BAYERN MUNICH SUBS: Dorsch, Gotze, Hoffmann, Pantovic, Rodriguez, Sanches, Starke, Wintzheimer

AC MILAN SUBS: Donnarumma, Storari, Antonelli, Bonucci, Conti, Gabbia, Gomez, Paletta, Biglia, Calhanoglu, Crociata, Mauri, Sosa, Zanellato, Bacca, Silva

Germany's midfielder Mario Gotze celebrates after he scored during the International friendly football match Germany vs Chile in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, on March 5, 2014© Getty Images


RESTART! We are back under way at the Longgang Stadium. Bayern have made a couple of changes at the break, bringing on Renato Sanches and James Rodriguez, while Biglia and Silva are on for Milan for the remaining 45 minutes.

No question that Bayern need to step things up considerably in this second half. The scoreline may not matter all that much but the performance of individual players does, and in that first half too many of them were far below their usual level.

Zapata very sloppy in possession and gives Lewandowski a chance to get on the end of the ball, but the striker - as we saw in the first half - is not match fit just yet and cannot get a shot away. Up the other end, Niang is spotted but also fails to shoot from inside the box.

Lewandowski making his frustration known, as a left-sided cross from Alaba - now playing at full-back, having also featured in central midfield and central defence - is well overhit. No real sign of the scoreline changing at the moment.

Better from Bayern as the ball this time comes into the box, but Zapata is there to clear away in front of Donnarumma for a corner. The young Milan stopper has still yet to make a save, with the hour mark fast approaching in Shenzhen.

The attendance has just been announced at just short of 40,000 at the Longgang Stadium. Plenty of Milan backers in the ground due to their Far Eastern ownership, and they have been treated to a stellar display from their rejuvenated side.

SAVE! A save for Donnarumma to make at long last, pushing aside a well-hit shot from Muller. We have seen a slightly improved showing from Bayern in the second period, but they have been unable to find a route back into the game.

An hour played in this friendly encounter, so we can expect to see a few changes shortly. Bonucci is being readied to come on for his debut, a few days on from officially completing his high-profile switch from domestic rivals Juventus.

AC MILAN SUB! Bonucci, whose arrival at Milan from Juventus sent out a real sign of intent, is on for Zapata in central defence. Antonelli and Calhanoglu are also on, taking over from Borini and two-assist Rodriguez.

That is six changes made by Montella in all, compared to the three changes - one of them enforced - from Ancelotti. Niang has a go from 15 yards out, curling a shot over the bar. Fruchtl had it covered and was happy to watch it sail over.

Tolisso has been a little disappointing today, and he is guilty of going in a little too strong on his opponent to concede a free kick. This second half is flying by at the moment, although chances are at a premium at both ends of the pitch.

SHOT! Former Watford loanee Niang is doing his hopes of breaking back into the Milan team a world of good. He has looked very lively today, breaking forward and cutting onto his stronger foot, but the ball was his straight at Fruchtl.

Rodriguez gets in around the back, only for his delivery to be cut out in a dangerous area. One goal for Bayern will make the scoreline a little more respectable, and at this rate they do look as though they have one in them.

CHANCE! Glorious chance for summer signing Tolisso to pull one back, but he sends his shot into the side-netting with only the keeper to beat. Good play prior to that, with Rodriguez and Lewandowski at the heart of it.

Time for another shot drinks break in Shenzhen before the final wave of play. The first half was certainly more entertaining than the second, but it has still been a lively match on the whole, which Milan will take far more from.

CHANCE! Muller, criticised for a lack of goals last season, decides against taking on the shot despite being one-on-one with Donnarumma. He instead lays it off in the direction of Coman, but the ball was cut out. Shocker!

YELLOW CARD! Hakan Calhanoglu is cautioned for a strong challenge on Lewandowski. The break in play allows Montella to bring on some more fresh legs - Paletta, Gomez and Sosa all entering the fray for the final 12 minutes.

Bayern deserve a goal for their second-half showing, creating a few particularly good chances. Muller and Tolisso missed the best of them, failing to convert when essentially both in one-on-one positions a little earlier in the half.

Martinez gets on the end of a corner but can only flick it over the bar when under pressure from Bonucci. Ancelotti's men staring a heavy three-goal defeat in the face now, with less than 10 minutes of the contest left to play here.

GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 0-4 AC MILAN (HAKAN CALHANOGLU)

If there is one thing we know about Calhanoglu, it is that he simply loves striking the ball from range. Bayern give him all the space in the world to do exactly that, picking out the bottom corner from 20 yards to extend Milan's lead.

The scoreline is a tad harsh on Bayern, in truth, as they really should have pulled one back in this second half. The fact that the did not will give Ancelotti some cause for concern, with this four-goal deficit a real blow to his preparations.

Into the final 60 seconds of normal time now and, despite the numerous substitutions, only a couple of minutes are likely to be added on. Still time for Milan to add a fifth, which really would add insult to injury as far as Bayern are concerned.

The referee has decided to extend the match by a further five minutes. Think those Bayern players just want the full-time whistle to sound, having been truly humbled by their opponents in Shenzhen. They need to pick themselves up before facing Chelsea.

Milan just a couple of minutes away from a hugely rewarding result, reflecting what has been a pretty dominant display. A more evenly-matched contest in the second half, but the Rossoneri ultimately took their chance when it arrived.

FULL TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 0-4 AC MILAN

AC Milan pick up a resounding 4-0 win over Bayern Munich in their second International Champions Cup outing. Unlike against Borussia Dortmund when outplayed for large parts of the match, the Rossoneri were superb this afternoon and will feel that they deserved their margin of victory. It could have been a different story had the Bavarians taken one or two of their chances, but their profligacy came back to haunt them in the end.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events in Shenzhen. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while updates from the friendly encounter between Arsenal and Chelsea can be viewed here. Thanks for joining!

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