Robinho had a penalty saved, but Milan beat Juventus” data-scaytid=”2″>Juventus in a sudden death shoot-out for the opening Trofeo TIM match.
Robinho had a penalty saved, but Milan beat Juventus in a sudden death shoot-out for the opening Trofeo TIM match.
“We did fairly well, though it’s normal we don’t have the pace of future games. I am relatively satisfied when facing Juventus as, even if it’s a friendly, it is still a tough test,” said Massimiliano Allegri.
“Regardless of the victory, which is still important, the lads played pretty well, though we need to improve in physical and tactical terms. The transfer market is still long, Adriano Galliani knows what can be done, but the important thing will be for me to focus on the players at my disposal.”
The 13th edition of the Trofeo TIM involves Juventus, Milan and Serie A newcomers Sassuolo” data-scaytid=”16″>Sassuolo, who play each other in three 45-minute matches. It is hosted at Sassuolo’s Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.
The Bianconeri debuted their brand-new strike partnership of Tevez and Llorente with defender Angelo Ogbonna, while Nigel de Jong was back for the Rossoneri after damaging his Achilles tendon in December 2012.
There were early penalty appeals for a Philippe Mexes tackle on Llorente, while Bakaye Traore’s angled drive was comfortably smothered.
On 15 minutes Christian Abbiati needed a fingertip save to deny Simone Padoin’s strike from the D.
Milan kept a lot of possession, but struggled to turn it into scoring opportunities, as Kevin-Prince Boateng blasted over from distance.
Llorente should’ve scored, but incredibly ballooned over the bar as he came sliding in at the back post behind Daniele Bonera, but couldn’t keep it down on Mauricio Isla’s assist.
Stephan Lichtsteiner mis-timed his tackle from behind on Boateng, tripping the Ghanaian international for a penalty. Robinho stepped up in the absence of Mario Balotelli, but the spot-kick was well saved by Marco Storari.
There was a nasty clash of heads between Llorente and Luca Antonini with the Milan player coming off worse, needing to be stretchered off. The Spaniard was also unable to continue due to a bloody nose.
As it was still goalless after 45 minutes, the first mini-match was decided on penalties with one point to the losing team and two for the winners.
Despite seeing a spot-kick saved during the game, Robinho stepped up first for the shoot-out and scored under the bar. Arturo Vidal and de Jong converted, but Abbiati beat away Lichtsteiner’s effort.
Philippe Mexes scored, as did Tevez with a cheeky low finish that left Abbiati rooted to the spot, M’Baye Niang and Kwadwo Asamoah. Antonio Nocerino would finish it off by scoring, but attempted a Panenka and chipped it over the bar. Mirko Vucinic converted and it went to sudden death.
Daniele Bonera and Federico Peluso netted, as did Traore and Paolo De Ceglie. Zaccardo’s penalty squirmed under Storari’s ribs and Padoin was not so fortunate, as Abbiati was able to beat his effort away. Juventus face Sassuolo next.
Juventus 0-0 Milan (6-7 on pens)
Saved penalty: Robinho 29 (M)
Penalty shoot-out: Robinho (goal M), Vidal (goal J), de Jong (goal M), Lichtsteiner (saved J), Mexes (goal M), Tevez (goal J), Niang (goal M), Asamoah (goal J), Nocerino (missed M), Vucinic (goal J), Bonera (goal M), Peluso (goal J), Traore (goal M), De Ceglie (goal J), Zaccardo (goal M), Padoin (saved J)
Juventus: Storari; Peluso, Ogbonna, Lichtsteiner; Isla, Padoin, Vidal, Asamoah, De Ceglie; Llorente (Vucinic 35), Tevez
Milan: Abbiati; Antonini (Zaccardo 34), Bonera, Mexes, Constant; Traoré, de Jong, Nocerino; Boateng; Robinho, Niang
Ref: Gervasoni