Friday 21 July 2017

Bayern Munich vs AC Milan: match preview

https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/GOAL/b2/6f/james-rodriguez-bayern-munich_5rs9q8yb1yo1ri0qd4yszsdz.jpg?t=1252988485&quality=90&h=630
Carlo Ancelotti comes up against his former club in the friendly tournament as he continues to prepare his side for the 2017-18 season
Bayern Munich and AC Milan will look to bounce back from defeats in their opening International Champions Cup games when they face off at Shenzen Universiade Sports Centre on Saturday.
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Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern fell on penalties after being held to a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in Shanghai, while Milan suffered a 3-1 loss against Borussia Dortmund in Guangzou.
Games against Chelsea, Inter and Liverpool follow for the Germans ahead of their competitive season kick-off.
The Italian side, meanwhile, turn their attention to Europa League qualifying, with a third qualifying round clash against Romanian side CSU Craiova to come next week, before a friendly against Real Betis.
Game Bayern Munich vs AC Milan
Date Saturday, July 22
Time 17:35 (local) / 10:35 (BST)

TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM

Franck Ribery Bayern Munich
In the United Kingdom, the match will be available to watch live on television on Premier Sports and by stream online via the Premier Player.
UK TV channel Online stream
Premier Sports Premier Player
Fans in the United States can watch the game on ESPN 3 or stream live on the WatchESPN service. Additionally, ESPN Deportes is providing Spanish language coverage.
US TV channel Online stream
ESPN 3 / ESPN Deportes WatchESPN

SQUADS & TEAM NEWS

The game against Bayern could be the first time Milan fans get to see Leonardo Bonucci in the famous red and black after the Italy international's transfer from Juventus was officially finalised.
Bonucci trained with his new team-mates in Guangzhou on Thursday and could line up against the Bundesliga giants alongside fellow new signings Andre Silva, Lucas Biglia and Andrea Conti, who have also been with the squad in China.
New additions Franck Kessie, Fabio Borini and Ricardo Rodriguez played the bulk of the game against Dortmund, while Hakan Calhanoglu and Mateo Musacchio were introduced from the bench, so could see more time on the field in Shenzen. 
Vincenzo Montella left Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench for entire game against BVB, preferring Marco Storari in goal, but the goalkeeper, who has committed his future to Milan, should play a part against Bayern.
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Bayern will be without the services of Thiago Alcantara for the game against Milan and indeed the remainder of their Asia tour after the Bundesliga outfit confirmed that the midfielder has left the training camp in China in order to continue his recovery from injury at the club headquarters in Munich.
Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng are not with the squad in China, but the pair are training in Germany and are expected to be available for the Audi Cup in August. Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, is also working towards a return from injury, but the goalkeeper may be forced to miss the entirety of pre-season.
In Neuer's absence, veteran shotstopper Tom Starke and youth-team player Christian Fruchtl deputised against Arsenal. Ahead of them, David Alaba lined up alongside Mats Hummels in the heart of defence, which is a partnership that is likely to be reprised with Boateng in Germany.

BETTING ODDS

Franck Kessie Milan
Bayern Munich are 1/2 favourites to win, according to dabblebet, while AC Milan are rated 5/1 to beat the Bundesliga champions. A draw is available at 10/3.

GAME PREVIEW

Carlo Ancelotti Bayern Munich 2017
The penalty defeat to Arsenal won't have shaken Bayern's confidence too much, but Carlo Ancelotti will definitely be keen for his players to put in an improved performance against Milan.
The German champions dominated much of the game against the Gunners, but struggled to take their chances and a lapse late in the match allowed their opponents to ultimately steal victory.
With the retirement of Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso, there are places up for grabs, so these friendly games are increasingly important as Ancelotti figures out how best to adapt.
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James Rodriguez has shown positive signs since his arrival from Real Madrid, but a number of players have been underwhelming, with Renato Sanches among those who will need to step up.
For Milan, the game against Bayern will be a warm-up for their first competitive game of the season, with Europa League qualifying games against CSU Craiova to come.
Montella is likey to use the occasion to give some playing time to the likes of Bonucci, Silva and Conti, as well as further bedding in Kessie, Rodriguez and Borini to his style of play.
Given their transfer activity this summer, the Rossoneri have ambitious plans for this season, but it will probably take some time for the new assortment of players to bond together, so Montella will have to make the most of what experimental opportunities he receives.

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