THE MALDINI LEGACY at Milan continues.
Kansas City hosted an International Champions Cup game between the famous Serie A side and Bayern Munich last night, with Leon Goretzka scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win.
Marco Giampaolo’s first game in charge of the Rossoneri resulted in defeat, but it was an unforgettable occasion for 17-year-old Daniel Maldini, son of Italian legend Paolo and grandson of ex-Milan and Italy manager Cesare.
The attacking midfielder made his first team debut along recent signing Theo Hernandez, who joined from Real Madrid for €20m this summer.
Giampaolo arrived from Serie A rivals Sampdoria after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as head coach of Milan at the end of the 2018-19 season, but Goretzka’s well-taken 48th-minute goal guided Bayern to their second ICC victory here.
Niko Kovac’s Bayern controlled proceedings in Kansas City, where clear-cut chances were few and far between in a tight opening 45 minutes. Maldini’s side-footed effort sailed just over the crossbar, while Bayern midfielder Renato Sanches fired a powerful strike just past the post.
Hernandez’s bow ended prior to half-time as the French full-back was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury.
Bayern managed to break the deadlock right on the stroke of half-time when Joshua Kimmich played a perfectly weighed pass to Goretzka, who took a touch before tucking the ball beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 48th minute.
Patrick Cutrone – who has been linked to Premier League side Wolves – should have equalised for Milan after cutting out Niklas Sule’s pass across goal but the second-half substitute was denied by Sven Ulreich in a one-on-one situation with 26 minutes remaining.
Bayern found the back of the net nine minutes from the end but Jann-Fiete Arp’s goal was ruled out for what appeared to be a handball, while David Alaba had an effort cancelled out for offside.
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