Milan started their pre-season with a 2-1 win away to FC Koln, secured by a fantastic early Olivier Giroud brace, to win the Telekom Cup.
Giroud drilled just wide and opened the scoring with a sensational goal. Ante Rebic started it by winning a tackle in midfield, spreading it for Junior Messias to a Rebic back-heel flick until Giroud dinked it delightfully over the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Ciprian Tatarusanu had to make a save from close range before Giroud made it 2-0 with a slightly deflected curler into the far top corner, sparked by the Pierre Kalulu counter-attack and Brahim Diaz assist.
Giroud almost got a hat-trick moments later, first trying to set up Rebic, then forcing a save on the rebound.
Milan, whose season starts later than Koln, looked shakier after the restart, with Tiemoue Bakayoko and Kalulu getting away with errors, but Yacine Adli came on and impressed with his fancy footwork forcing a tricky block.
FC Koln got a late consolation goal, as a Bright Arrey-Mbi header bounced off the crossbar, allowing Florian Dietz to turn in the rebound from a a Jonas Hector volley.
FC Koln 1-2 Milan
Giroud 16, 36 (M), Dietz 86 (K)
Milan: Tatarusanu (Mirante 46); Florenzi (Coubis 61), Kalulu (Michelis 61), Gabbia, Ballo-Touré (Bertesaghi 81); Bakayoko (Brescianini 75), Pobega (Robotti 81); Messias (Chaka Traore 61), Brahim Diaz (Adli 46), Rebic (Maldini 61); Giroud (Roback 61)
2 great goals by giroud
Two top quality goals by Giroud, though the second one took a big deflection.
Kalulu made one fatal mistake which amazingly didn’t result in a conceded goal, but my God how good is this kid. The confidence and calm is unbeliavble. He plays like a veteran and his skills are improving by the day. His interception resulted in a counter attack which he joined himself for the second goal. Certainly will go down as one of the best pieces of business in the history of the club.
Gabbia was also very impressive. He did well and certainly made a case for himself. Rebic was also playing with a lot of intent. He looked finally fit and was back to his better days. That was a sweet back-heel on the first goal for Giroud.
Now for the other side, Bakayoko was obviously the worst. I don’t know how this human being is a professional football player. The few times he won back the ball (which is his main job) he proceeded to give the ball back to an opponent immediately.
Also Pobega, that was far from a convincing display. The talent is there, but there’s just something wrong, missing, like Pioli’s instructions and tactics are too complicated for him. I have had this idea for the past couple of seasons that he can’t perform as a defensive midfielder in a back duo. On paper he’d be a good option as a mezzala for three man midfield or maybe a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 but he was just bad, like last year’s preseason matches. I don’t know, maybe he needs time and matches but these performances won’t help him.
Last and least Diaz. He made one move on the second goal but all in all was the same terrible player as before. Adli in flashes looked much better than him, which is not to say much really.
From the 60th minute all the kids came in and we barely crossed the halfway line, but that’s to be expected. Our primavera teams haven’t been that great lately anyway. We held on for a 2-1 win anyway despite their late goal.
@ Milan Fan Thanks for that analysis. Some interesting insights.