Click to view the picture gallery. In the 25th minute, Milan nearly scored; Cannavaro committed a foul on Gattuso, and Seedorf took the free kick from the left side. Odod didn't wait for the ball to land and struck it with a powerful right-footed volley from 22 meters out, narrowly missing the right post! Subsequently, the host team failed to clear the ball far enough, and Antonini delivered a strong right-footed outside-of-the-foot shot from 20 meters out, which was deflected by Sayyif Yusuf over the right post. In the 32nd minute, Cassano cut inside from the left flank and passed to Odon, but the opposing defender intercepted the ball first. In the 37th minute, Seedorf sent a through pass down the right flank to Odon, who maneuvered past a defender and crossed the ball into the box. Cassano attempted a header from 10 meters out but missed high. Shortly after, Cassano broke into the penalty area on the right and shot, only to be blocked by a defender.
Milan extended their lead in the 73rd minute! Robinho's corner kick was headed out, but he regained possession and crossed the ball again. Beretta headed the ball towards the goal from 8 meters out at the near post. Sayyif Yusuf made a diving save with one hand, but the ball still found its way into the net, making it 2-0. Just a minute later, Beretta almost scored his second goal. He pushed past the opposing defender, fell near the edge of the penalty area while being pulled, but the referee ruled a foul on Beretta. Ibrahimović applauded the decision and was shown a yellow card.
Odoo Yamadi replaced Odon, and Montolongo moved to play as the left-back. In the 79th minute, the recently substituted Vermiani, an old player from Lazio, delivered a powerful right-footed shot from 27 meters out, which Abbiati dived to tip over the crossbar! In the 81st minute, Robinho was distracted by looking up at the ball along the touchline and collided heavily with the camera, injuring his right knee and requiring treatment on the field before leaving with bandages. In the 85th minute, Ahli's right-side through pass surpassed Montolongo, and Captain Hassan executed a left-footed volley from 25 meters out that curved over Abbiati into the near corner, reducing the score to 2-1. In the 90th minute, Beretta returned the ball, and Ambrosini delivered a shot from 17 meters out that was blocked out for a corner. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Ibrahimović made a strong challenge on Hassan, causing dissatisfaction from Al Ahly's Irish coach O'Leary. They were still arguing after the final whistle.
Challenge Cup: Al Ahly 1-2 Milan - Cassano makes AC debut (8 pictures) [Enter Gallery] Milan had their first chance in the 12th minute when Seedorf hit a low left-footed shot from 14 meters out, which goalkeeper Sayyif Yusuf collected easily. In the 17th minute, Seedorf lofted a pass, and Cassano tried to sweep the ball to Pato in the center but missed the intended target. In the 20th minute, Antonini broke into the penalty area on the left and fell under the challenge of Sayyif Yusuf, but no penalty was awarded. A minute later, Cassano slipped a through ball into the box, and Seedorf, after maneuvering past a defender, faced the goalkeeper alone, preparing to shoot but was dispossessed by a defender just in time.
AC Milan arrived in Dubai for winter training on December 28th. Two years ago, Milan defeated Hamburg on penalties to win this competition's championship. Due to an upcoming league match, Allegri did not field his strongest lineup but aimed to help some players regain form. Cassano wore the number 99 jersey, making his debut for Milan alongside the recovered Pato in attack, with Seedorf playing as the attacking midfielder. Boatin returned to Italy for injury treatment, and Thiago Silva played as the defensive midfielder. Al Ahly is currently ranked third in their domestic league, with former Juventus captain Cannavaro leading the team.
Milan took the lead in the 38th minute! Pato counter-attacked and formed a three-on-two situation, passing the ball to the left flank where Seedorf delivered a left-footed low-angle shot from 10 meters out. Although Sayyif Yusuf managed to get a hand to the ball, it still rolled into the net, making it 1-0. In the 43rd minute, Seedorf sent a through ball to Pato, who let the ball past the defender and delivered a powerful low shot from 11 meters out that was saved by Sayyif Yusuf. A minute later, Rome emerged to challenge and successfully cleared the ball from the opponent's feet. In the 45th minute, Seedorf struck a shot from 13 meters out on the right side, which Sayyif Yusuf dropped and went wide of the right post. Soon after, Odon delivered a cross from the right flank, and Pato headed the ball slightly off target from 10 meters out.
AC Milan starting XI in the first half (4-3-1-2): 30-Rome / 17-Odon, 13-Nesta, 76-Yepez, 77-Antonini / 14-Strasser, 33-Thiago Silva, 8-Gattuso / 10-Seedorf / 7-Pato, 99-Cassano.
At 0:00 Beijing Time on January 3 (20:00 local time on January 2 in the UAE), the 4th edition of the Dubai "Emir Challenge Cup" took place at Rashid Stadium, with AC Milan defeating home team Al Ahly 2-1. Cassano made his debut, assisting Seedorf for the opening goal. In the second half, Montolongo also made his Milan debut, and young Beretta scored with a header following a pass from Robinho. Hassan reduced the deficit with a long-range strike, and Robinho suffered an unusual injury after colliding with a camera.
In the second half, Allegri almost changed the entire lineup, keeping only Odon, who switched to play as the left-back. Montolongo made his first appearance at right-back, and Ibrahimoivc, suspended for the midweek league game, played as the attacking midfielder, with young Beretta leading the line and Robinho supporting him. In the 52nd minute, Beretta turned to escape a defender and delivered a left-footed shot from six meters out on the left side, which Sayyif Yusuf managed to save. In the 63rd minute, Ambrosini broke through on the left and delivered a timely low pass to the right, where Montolongo entered the penalty area but was blocked by a defender.
AC Milan second-half lineup (4-3-1-2): 32-Abbiati / 22-Montolongo, 15-Papastathopoulos, 25-Bonera, 17-Odon (78’44-Odoo Amadi) / 20-Abate, 23-Ambrosini, 52-Merkel / 11-Ibrahimovic / 70-Robinho, 51-Beretta.