VIDEO: With Christian Pulisic out and Luka Modric on the bench, Santiago Gimenez nets Milan’s goal in Leeds United draw

Saturday afternoon’s pre-season friendly match between Milan and Leeds United at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin ended in a 1-1 tie..The Rossoneri had taken the lead in the 31st minute, as Mexico international Santiago Gimenez pounced at the back post to smash the ball into the net, putting the Rossoneri 1-0 ahead.

The goal came after Milan relentlessly attacked down the left flank, a clear tactical focus from the opening whistle. A well-timed cut-back into the box found multiple red and black shirts in threatening positions, and it was Gimenez who applied the decisive finish.

With another friendly lined up on Sunday against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri opted for a rotated lineup for Saturday afternoon. Luka Modric starts on the bench, while Christian Pulisic has been left out entirely as he continues to recover from injury. The USMNT star is still regaining full fitness after his setback earlier in pre-season.

No third straight win

Milan was chasing its third consecutive pre-season victory following back-to-back wins. This encounter in Dublin served as a crucial test before heading to London, and Gimenez’s opener had given them the perfect platform to push for another positive result.

However, the Premier League side controlled the second half and equalized twenty minutes in off a goal that Milan could say was horribly guarded, but, from Leeds’ point of view, was nothing short of miraculous. With no one to block his shot, Stach sent the ball sailing beyond the far post from the outside of the penalty area. As the half progressed, Allegri’s players failed to create much of a splash.