Real Madrid vs. AC Milan: Things Learned from International Champions Cup

Real Madrid and AC Milan drew 0-0 in Shanghai in the final match of the International Champions Cup in China, with Real winning the consequent shootout 10-9 to lift the trophy.

A game of little final-third quality and few chances in either penalty box saw Carlos Bacca and Cristiano Ronaldo go closest, but none of the four goalkeepers on show were overly tested. Sixteen-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma missed the decisive penalty in the shootout.

Here are the lessons and key points from the match that the two managers, Rafa Benitez and Sinisa Mihajlovic, will take.

Benitez's Tactical Triangle

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Real Madrid's initial shape was a standard Rafa Benitez 4-2-3-1, with Lucas Vazquez, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo operating behind Karim Benzema—but that was as far as it went in terms of straight lines and predictability of positions.

At times, it was Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema swapping positions, with the Frenchman dipping out toward either flank off the ball to make room for Ronaldo centrally. On other occasions, Vazquez dropped into a third central-midfield position when Real were out of possession, leaving three in attack.

It made Real unpredictable in terms of movement when countering but also very open through the centre with big gaps between the attacking and midfield lines.

Clearly, Benitez is still trying out his options to see how he fits in all his top players and maintains balance, but he's not there yet.

No Role for Alessio Cerci

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Alessio Cerci has been speaking recently about how he hopes to cement a place in the AC Milan team this season. Per Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), Cerci said:

"

I know that the competition at Milan is fierce and I know they have two very good strikers, but there’s one thing I’m certain of—if I train well, I’m second to none. I'm finally enjoying a good pre-season, Mihajlovic makes us work hard. Given that I’ve played little this year, this stage of the season is crucial. 

I’m certain that in the 4-3-1-2 that Mihajlovic uses my position is the second striker, a role that I already played in at Torino.

"

Nice words, but so far in pre-season, Cerci has shown little evidence that his self-belief is anything other than misplaced or at least hugely optimistic; he made no impression against Real Madrid on the ball and even less when out of possession. There was little movement on his behalf, no linking up with M'Baye Niang and not much work rate to close down nearby Real players on the ball.

With big money having been spent to bring Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca to the San Siro this summer, Cerci appears well down the pecking order.

Casemiro a Genuine Holding-Midfield Option for Real Madrid

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Brazilian midfielder Casemiro played the entirety of the game for Real Madrid, one of the few players to do so, and it has to be recognised that on account of his particular skill set and his growth at Porto last season, he's a genuine contender to play regularly for Rafa Benitez this coming season.

Sure, against many teams Benitez will perhaps want the technical and creative pairing of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, but Benitez has always been pragmatic over relying on reputation. Therefore, it's fair to assume in many matches he will want either a pure holding, combative midfielder in place or else to operate with three in the centre.

In either case, Casemiro has this pre-season staked a claim that his ball-winning ability, mobility and physicality are all definite plus points few others in the Real squad have at their disposal. He might not be a weekly starter, but Casemiro can definitely play his part during the season.

Keylor Navas the Clear Choice for No. 1

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The signing of Kiko Casilla and the departure of Iker Casillas meant it was another summer of alterations in the goalkeeping department for Real Madrid, and it might not be over yet if the chase of David De Gea reaches a successful conclusion.

That said, the club are preparing for the new campaign with Casilla and Keylor Navas as the two stoppers during pre-season—and it is certainly the Costa Rican who has impressed the most.

Navas is quick off his line, strong and brave in making blocks and has tremendous agility—all attributes that saw him recognised as one of La Liga's best goalkeepers two seasons ago. Casilla is spectacular at times but lacks the consistency and reliability to realistically be first choice at the very highest end of the game.

If no further arrivals in that position enter the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, expect Navas to be Rafa Benitez's No. 1.

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