Preseason for most teams is about getting match fitness for the new season, but when the owners of venues like Gillette Stadium book high-profile international friendlies, they're hoping for an entertaining draw and a big gate. The Kraft Sports Group may not have gotten the crowd they were hoping for, but they've certainly gotten an entertaining match as AC Milan turned in a vintage 45 minutes and jumped to a 3-0 halftime lead over CD Olimpia on Saturday afternoon.
The scoring opened through Robinho in the 24th minute, who showed some dazzling ball skills to befuddle the defenders in front of him and then rip a shot to the low corner for the lead. His provider, Antonio Nocerino, would then turn goalscorer in the 37th minute, tapping in an easy finish after a deep cross from Antonio Cassano was headed back across goal by Robinho.
I Rossoneri got their third goal in the 43rd minute, and it was Nocerino scoring again with Robinho heavily involved. The Brazilian played a stunning through ball into traffic that sprung Ignazio Abate down the right flank and in on goal. The fullback tried to round Olimpia 'keeper Noel Valladares, but the Honduran international stopped his progress. He didn't get the ball, though, and Abate recovered well enough to put in a low cross that Nocerino flicked in from point-blank for his second goal of the game.
Milan has been content to let Olimpia play and then punish them on the counter, but that doesn't mean that the Leones have been without chances. Carlos Will Mejia nearly had the first goal of the match in the 22nd minute when he ripped a shot from about 25 yards out that buzzed just past Marco Amelia's right post, and striker Douglas Caetano may feel he should have had a goal in the 45th minute off of a great snap header, but Amelia was equal to it.
For more coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket, as well as our soccer hub and The AC Milan Offside.