Juventus Turin and AC Milan. The two Serie A giants provided an interesting hour of play at Dignity Health Sports Park, home of Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer), before massive substitutions within the ranks of both teams spoiled the show at the end of game.
Germany centre-back Malick Thiaw, 21, put Milan ahead in the 23rd minute, rising in the box to score a free kick from deep into Theo Hernandez. Juve reacted well and equalized ten minutes later when Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan fended off a header from Federico Gatti and after a scramble Danilo opened the scoring.
Milan regained the lead in the 39th minute when Thiaw headed a Christian Pulisic corner towards Olivier Giroud and the 36-year-old French forward scored with a volley. Juventus then fought back: a Federico Chiesa free kick in the box, slightly deflected by Turin defender Daniele Rugani, was unintentionally headed into the Milan goal by Giroud. Both teams then made massive substitutions, bringing in mainly reserves and young players, and the quality and intensity of the match quickly dissipated.
The game, which is part of the summer ‘Soccer Champions Tour’, was decided after a penalty shoot-out, with Juve substitute goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio stopping three Milan attempts to secure the victory for the team coached by Massimiliano Allegri. Both clubs will end their US tour with fixtures against top Spanish teams: Milan face Barcelona in Las Vegas on Tuesday and Juve face Real Madrid in Orlando on Wednesday.
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