The Serie A Champions played Bayern Munich in the 2nd game of the Audi Cup, a pre season tournament also including Barcelona and 40 time Brazilian Champions Internacional.
It was Barcelona who awaited in the final, after beating the South Americans 4-2 on penalties.
Both sides began with a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Rossoneri without their South American players due to the recently finished Copa America, whilst Filippo Inzaghi, Philippe Mexes and new signing Stephan El Shaarawy were unavailable due to injuries.
One notable admission for the hosts, Frank Ribery deemed unavailable due to an ankle injury.
It was Bayern who started the better, Robben testing Taiwo and laying off nicely to the likes of Gomez and Lahm, but shots from the two Germans were blocked.
However it was Milan who took the lead within 5 minutes, a long ball from Bonera eluding the Bayern backline and the Swede finished easily.
Bayern had a chance to equalize three minutes later, Nesta being caught cold by Mario Gomez who laid off to Schweinsteiger, but his shot was just wide.
Milan had a golden opportunity to double their lead when Ibrahimovic put Cassano through on goal, but the Italian could only fire his shot straight at the keeper.
Bayern won a free kick on the edge of the box, and Kroos nearly equalised for the German’s once again, the youngster’s effort just over the crossbar.
Bayern were dominating in the first period despite being 1-0 down, Gomez once again finding himself in the box with a free header, but could not direct it at goal.
Schweinsteiger found Rafinha on the far hand side, whose drilled shot was just centimeters past the post.
Mario Gomez once again had a wonderful opportunity, expertly taking it round the Milanese defense, but wasted his chance, blasting it over the bar.
Bayern equalized on the half hour, after a long spell of possession, Kroos finding himself on the edge of the box, and duly finished, his shot evading all manner of Milan and Bayern players to find the bottom corner.
Kroos again took a chance from distance, his swerving shot following a Bayern corner burning Abbiati’s palms.
Bayern continued to test Milan throughout the first period, Mueller and Rafinha both getting shots at Abbiati, the latter only denied by the Italian’s palms and the crossbar.
Milan seemed to lack fitness compared to the livelier hosts, and the Bavarians were the dominating force in the first period, having the last chance of the half when Mueller was played through by an error on Boateng’s part, but Abbiati once again rescued the Rossoneri.
Milan made two changes at the break, Alberto Paloschi and Massimo Ambrosini entering the foray, on for Ibrahimovic and Rino Gattuso respectively.
Bayern had the first chance of the second half, Kross testing Abbiati for the umpteenth time from outside the box, Abbiati equal to it, parrying it out of play.
Arjen Robben found space on the right hand side, cutting in and firing a shot, but it was straight into the arms of Abbiati.
Bayern took a short corner 10 minutes into the second half, Lahm hittling a scorching strike, but Abbiati once again rose to it.
Milan unleashed a tirade of players at the hour, Robinho, Thiago Silva, Antonini and Valoti coming on for Nesta, Boateng Abate and Cassano, while Bayern took off Arjen Robben and brought in Luiz Gastavo, and new player Alaba came in for Tymoschuck.
Gomez once again found himself running at the Milan defense, but a combination of Thiago Silva Taiwo and the majestic Abbiati saved Milan’s blushes.
Despite their dominance, Bayern could find a winner, their best chances coming from set plays and distance, 17 year old David Alaba hitting a free kick over the bar, while Gomez fizzed a shot over the crossbar and Gustavo nearly curled a beauty into the far corner.
Milan made another change with scores still level, Taiwo making way for Oddo 7 minutes from time, and once again in the 88th minute, Emmanuelson making way for Pato.
Full time came with the scores remaining tied, and it was penalties that decided the two sides, Paloschi firing his effort over the bar, leaving Bastian Schweinstieger to guarantee a place in the final. The German duly obliged, setting up a Bayern – Barca final on the 27th of July.
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This article was originally posted on the FFC News Desk
