Real Madrid vs. AC Milan: Score, Report and Reaction from Friendly Game

Stephan El Shaarawy scored in each half as AC Milan impressed in a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Sevens Stadium on Tuesday evening in the lone match of the 2014 Dubai Challenge Cup.

El Shaarawy netted in the 31st and 48th minutes for Milan, who opened the scoring through Jeremy Menez midway through the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo pulled a goal back for Madrid 10 minutes before half-time. 

Giampaolo Pazzini scored Milan's fourth goal, a header, in the 73rd minute, and Karim Benzema converted a penalty for Madrid 11 minutes later.

The result had no effect on either team's league standing and thus did not end Real Madrid's 22-game winning streak in competitive matches. Both sides replaced all 11 starters at some point during the 90 minutes, demonstrating the non-competitive nature of the friendly.

But as Bleacher Report contributor Matteo Bonetti noted, it provided a boost to Milan's supporters as the Rossoneri attempt to reclaim a spot among the European elite:

Milan entered the winter break seventh in the Serie A table, 14 points behind leaders Juventus. Milan did not participate in the UEFA Champions League this season after finishing eighth last year in Serie A. Manager Filippo Inzaghi and his men will resume league play on Jan. 6, 2015, with a home match against Sassuolo.

Madrid, meanwhile, finished 2014 on a high after winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. Carlo Ancelotti's side reached the halfway point of the Primera Liga season atop the table, thanks to their impressive winning run. The Blancos sit one point clear of rivals Barcelona, having played one fewer match.

In addition, Madrid topped their Champions League group with a 100 per cent record and will play Schalke in the round of 16.

Despite the disparity of the teams' recent results, Milan impressed in the early stages, pressing high to limit Real Madrid's time on the ball. The strategy paid off with the opening goal in the 23rd minute following a defensive error. Madrid full-back Nacho tried to pass back to goalkeeper Keylor Navas but did not hit the ball firmly enough. Sensing an opening, Menez intercepted the pass and held his nerve to finish past the sprawling Navas for a 1-0 Milan lead.

It was nearly 2-0 in the 27th minute as Riccardo Montolivo hit a powerful volley just wide of the post. Milan players protested that Navas had touched the ball on its way out, but the referee awarded a goal kick.

The second goal arrived in the 31st minute via a fine finish by El Shaarawy. After accepting a pass on the left just outside the box, El Shaarawy dribbled toward the middle before bouncing a low, near-post shot past Navas for 2-0.

Real Madrid had a sight of goal in the 33rd minute as Javier Hernandez wriggled free near the box. But the Mexican's shot was deflected off target for a corner, which came to nothing.

Madrid pulled a goal back in the 35th minute following a breathtaking counter. Jese broke forward with a powerful dribble through the middle, passing to Ronaldo on the right side of the box. Spotting an opening at Diego Lopez's near post, Ronaldo side-footed past the Milan goalkeeper with his first touch to make it 2-1. 

The crowd roared in approval following Ronaldo's strike, and much to the fans' delight, the chances kept coming as the match progressed.

In the 40th minute, Navas did well to push away a low Montolivo shot destined for the bottom corner. Just before half-time, Giacomo Bonaventura shot just wide following a pullback by Menez.

Both teams made several substitutions at half-time, but the chances continued in the second half.

In the 47th minute, substitute Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved low at his near post as El Shaarawy tried to restore Milan's two-goal advantage. One minute later, El Shaarawy made no mistake. Playing a one-two in the box with Andrea Poli, El Shaarawy received the return pass and finished past Casillas to make it 3-1 in the 48th minute.

Casillas saved again in the 51st minute, denying Bonaventura as Milan continued to run rampant. Three minutes later at the other end, Jese hit the upright after shooting across his body.

In the 61st minute, Madrid's Gareth Bale had a shot saved at the near post by substitute goalkeeper Michael Agazzi.

Milan netted their fourth goal 12 minutes later, Pazzini heading in unmarked at the far post following a fine cross by M'Baye Niang.

Madrid won a penalty in the 83rd minute after Nacho went to ground under a challenge from Niang. Benzema took the spot-kick, blasting high past Agazzi to make it 4-2 a minute later.

Two more chances remained for Madrid, but neither found the back of the net. Bale's powerful drive was saved by Agazzi in the second minute of stoppage time, and James Rodriguez rifled wide of the post moments later.

Reaction

Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy (via Football Italia):

"

A game like this gives me a lot of confidence. Goals are important mentally for a striker, so I’m happy to have scored two goals against Real Madrid. It was also very satisfying for the team, we confirmed that we’re doing well after the Roma and Napoli games. It was a great confirmation, and now we have to continue like this. We want to start the League well in 2015. From the point of view of the game we did well. It was a great day for me. I’ve already said I’m staying at Milan and I want to do well.

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Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi (via Football Italia):

"

I am satisfied. It was, however, a friendly and we cannot get ahead of ourselves. It’s been a while now that we’ve been playing like this and tonight it all went very well.

El Shaarawy did very well, he scored 2 brilliant goals. They all did well, even those that came on after. I am spoilt for choice. In the past 3 matches we’ve faced Napoli, Roma and Real Madrid, winning twice and drawing once, playing on equal terms with all of them. There is the right spirit and the desire. There’s huge satisfaction. I’m now thinking about Serie A and that will be the hardest match for us. 

I am happy for the President, I spoke to him before the match. Having seen that we competed will have made him happy. To have seen us grow so much gives me hope, the biggest satisfaction is the attitude we had.

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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti (via RealMadrid.com):

"

Milan played well. We didn't, but you can't say that this will affect the work we have already done. After the break we needed a match like this in order to prepare for Sunday. We are really happy to put an end to a fantastic year. We also received good news from Valdebebas, where Marcelo was able to train and tonight we didn't have any injury problems.

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