In Pasadena, California, on Sunday, Real Madrid defeated AC Milan 3-2 after mounting a second-half comeback that was capped by a goal from Vinicius Junior.

Milan led 2-0 after goals from Fikayo Tomori and Luka Romero in the Rose Bowl, but Madrid won the first preseason game of their US tour thanks to two fast goals from Federico Valverde and a goal from Vinicius in the 83rd minute.

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Jude Bellingham, Joselu, and Brahim Diaz, three newcomers to Madrid from the summer, were chosen by head coach Carlo Ancelotti for his starting lineup. Fran Garcia was one of eight halftime substitutions, and Arda Guler was left out due to a sore muscle.

Vinicius and Rodrygo Goes were both added by Carlo Ancelotti after the break, but it was Valverde who brought them level by the 58th minute. Then, Vinicius pounced on a long pass over the Milan back line and blasted past Mike Maignan to give his team the victory.

“I’m already counting, I don’t know how many goals [Ancelotti] is going to want from me [this season],” Valverde remarked, after the Italian joked that he would “tear up his coaching licence” if Valverde didn’t reach double digits the previous year. “I’m doing OK. I’m driven to continue succeeding at this club.

In a friendly match in the Rose Bowl versus Milan, Real Madrid players celebrate their goal.

Christian Pulisic, a left-handed winger for the United States, started the game for Milan and contributed to Tomori’s opening goal before being substituted by Rafael Leao in the 70th minute.

Bellingham positioned alongside Diaz and Joselu as Madrid lined up in a new 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond.

Upon being questioned about the new method, Ancelotti responded, “I liked it,” in his post-game press conference.

We need to make a few changes to several items. We found it challenging to play from the back. Bellingham played a strong game and had good placement. The group needs to become acclimated to his talent.

Shaka Hislop of ESPN collapsed on the pitch at the beginning of the game and required medical assistance; however, at halftime, Dan Thomas of ESPN reported that Hislop was conscious and spoke with doctors after getting treatment at the stadium.

Milan will play Juventus on Thursday and Barcelona on August 1 as part of their preseason tour of the United States before travelling to Bologna on August 21 to kick off Serie A.

Madrid’s final encounter in the United States will be against Juventus on August 2, after they face Manchester United on Wednesday and Barcelona in a preseason El Clasico in Arlington, Texas, on July 29.s