A TALE OF TWO DEVILS | OneFootball

AC Milan will face Manchester United in an international friendly on Saturday, August 15. The Rossoneri will be in action at the Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław just before the start of the new Serie A season. Over the past 25 years, these two historic clubs, among the most prestigious names in European football, have met in both competitive and friendly matches. Manchester United, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, suffered two memorable UEFA Champions League eliminations at the hands of AC Milan: in the Round of 16 in 2004/05 and in the semi-finals in 2006/07, the latter featuring AC Milan's famous "Perfect Match" performance in the second leg at San Siro. The English side, however, came out on top in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie in 2009.10 and later knocked AC Milan out of the UEFA Europa League in the Round of 16 during the 2020/21 season.

In friendlies the two sides have also produced some memorable encounters. At the New York Giants Stadium in July 2004, a lengthy penalty shootout was needed to decide the International Champions Cup. The match finished 1-1 before AC Milan prevailed 10-9 on penalties, with goalkeeper Dida making the decisive save from a spot kick taken by opposing goalkeeper Tim Howard. After suffering heavy defeats to rivals Manchester City, during the international friendly tours of 2013 and 2014, AC Milan renewed its rivalry with United in another penalty shootout. In July 2018, in the International Champions Cup, the match once again ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, just as it had 14 years earlier. This time, however, Manchester United won 10-9 on penalties, with Franck Kessié missing the decisive spot kick in sudden death. The following summer, in Cardiff, the Red Devils claimed another victory, winning 7-6 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. The next chapter of this historic rivalry will be written in Poland.

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