Madrid brought their tour of the planet to a close by winning the International Champions Cup in China and analysing the results in the Shanghai sauna. Rafa Benítez must come to the conclusion that Danilo has not brought with him a big advantage over Dani Carvajal, Casemiro has confirmed his place as the third man in midfield, that Kiko Casilla has left a better impression than Keylor Navas and that Isco and Jesé have made it difficult to decide who is negotiable and who isn’t. With both players Madrid have looked much better than without them and they have asked questions over the starting eleven. Plan B has started to confuse Plan A.
The climate in Shanghai for the match between two of European football’s giants left Madrid with a less intense approach right from the first whistle. Benítez left out Isco and James to fit in a wide player in Lucas Vázquez. Gareth Bale continued to be an immovable piece in the jigsaw with a privileged position in the starting line-up (seven players have scored over the summer yet the Welshman is yet to find the back of the net) and it did not work out well. The humid 40 degree temperature crippled any kind of fast, freeflowing play, especially on Madrid. The new Milan of Mihajlovic were a tougher opposition than their neighbours Inter. The Italians made up for their technical inferiority by a good tactical approach that thwarted the Madrid midfield and sometimes threatened through the athletic Niang, who gave a tough test to Raphael Varane and Danilo.
Danilo returned as a starter but failed to offer an improvement on Carvajal. He has the manner of a typical Brazilian full-back but has so far failed to show much precision or forcefulness in his play. It will take him a little longer to adapt. Modric, recovering from a knock, also failed to manage the midfield with his usual fluency and Casemiro looked too tame.
Benítez went with the “BBC” and found, once again, how difficult it will be to get the trio ticking in his team. At times, the Madrid that suffered so badly last season reappeared. That nuclear attack that many expected did not appear and it needed the arrival of Isco to bring some effective attacking output, something that had an impact on his teammates. The first half went by with a couple of interventions from Navas, albeit not too demanding, and an overall drabness in which Milan looked more comfortable.
Madrid looked better after the break, however, and a real contest ensued. The introduction of Toni Kroos saw Madrid mix up their short passing with a long ball game and Jesé offered more energy in attack and linked well with Karim Benzema and Isco. Together they brought Ronaldo’s level up and Bale became more involved. But by this point Milan also raised their game and Bacca had a great opportunity inside the box to give his side the lead only for Casilla to make a fine save to tip his effort over the bar. However, the best chances fell to Madrid. Zapata did well to block a shot from Kroos while Cristiano directed a header that was saved by the Diego López.
Then came the penalties, with few errors and involving a 16-year-old goalkeeper in Milan’s Donnarumma. The penalties were resolved when both goalkeepers faced each other. First, Casilla scored his penalty and then denied the youngster.