Milan beat Barcelona in Int. Champions League

Head coach Ernesto Valverde made just two changes from the team that lost to Roma, with Juan Miranda coming on for Marc Cucurella and Paco Alcacerfor Aleix Vidal after the latter was sold to Sevilla.

Despite the 1-0 loss, it was an exceptional performance from Sergi Roberto and other players on the field of play.

The LaLiga champions kicked off the match with high intensity, quickly releasing their star-studded attack, and came inches away from scoring the opening goal in the first few minutes.

Valverde’s men continued to threaten the Italian’s, however, Milan defended well to deny several opportunities on goal.

Barcelona’s new man Malcom came close to netting the first goal in the 20th minute after a perfectly placed pass by Rafinha Alcantara, but 6’5” keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma did well to stop the shot.

The third of the Brazilian trio, Arthur Melo, continued to impress, showing his on-field chemistry with several great link-ups.

In the 35th minute, he executed an excellent long-range shot from outside the box, and though Donnnarumma saved, the Blaugrana put their foot on the gas in the last five minutes of the first half with back-to-back chances.

Malcomsmashed the ball against the post, then Munir El Haddadi was inches away from handing his side the opener.

In the second half, Valverde turned to his bench and brought on youngster Riqui Puig for Alcacer and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen for Jasper Cillessen, the German keeper making his preseason debut.

The introduction of Riqui brought a spark to the team, but it was

Milan who began to find their rhythm in the last half hour.

Munir took a hard hit to his left leg, claiming a penalty, but the referee waved play on and that’s the closest Barcelona would come in the closing stages.

Seconds before the final whistle, Milan surprised the Catalans, as Andre Silva netted the winning goal past a static Ter Stegen.

With no additional time for Barcelona to try and find their equaliser, it meant a second defeat in two games.