Real Madrid v Milan: Match preview, team news and probable lineups

Real Madrid kick-off their pre-season tour in the United States of America against AC Milan in a feisty friendly match on Monday night.

While Real Madrid could lift the Copa Del Rey title after nine years, they couldn’t do much justice in defending the Champions League and Laliga titles last season.

However, Carlo Ancelotti has communicated to the players that he sees the past campaign as a success because they could reclaim the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup on top of the domestic cup.

Los Blancos are set to play their first season in 14 years without the figure of Karim Benzema leading the lines from upfront as the Frenchman left for Al-Ittihad. As his replacement, Florentino Perez has only brought in Joselu with four new signings in other positions, namely Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Fran Garcia and Brahim Diaz, who returns from a loan spell at Milan.

The signing of Bellingham was a statement from Real Madrid this transfer window as they have probably secured their midfield for a decade. Despite the arrival of the Englishman, the departures of Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz are set to provide Ancelotti with limited options in attack.

As for AC Milan, they will aim for a successful season by winning a few trophies and the buildup to achieving that dream starts during the pre-season preparations.

Stefano Pioli’s men reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, ultimately bowing out of the tournament with a defeat to neighbourhood rivals Inter Milan.

The Rossoneri have completed five signings till now, with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders, Luka Romero and Marco Sportiello joining the ranks. Sandro Tonali’s departure is the major event from them this transfer window and the club is yet to replace him.

The Serie A side tied star man Rafael Leao to a contract extension last month, which nullified his chances of departing. The Portuguese winger is seen as the torch-bearer by Milan fans and is again set to play an influential part in their season.

Team News

Real Madrid have named all of their first-team players for this pre-season tour with the only exception of Dani Ceballos, who misses out through injury.

Bellingham is tilted to start the match and show his exemplary skills to Madridistas. Joselu and Fran Garcia will complete their homecoming by featuring in the match.

Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao are expected to start in defence as David Alaba returns from vacation.

Meanwhile, Milan will miss a couple of their players for this tour. Stefano Pioli has opted for a 29-man squad excluding the likes of Fode Ballo-Toure, Mattia Caldara, Marko Lazetic, Ante Rebic and Divock Origi.

Rafael Leao, Olivier Giroud, Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are predicted to start the game.

PREDICTED XIs

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Garcia; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Kroos; Rodrygo, Joselu, Vinicius.

AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Tomori, Florenzi; Loftus-Cheek, Pobega; Leao, Krunic, Pulisic; Giroud.