· 2 min readIn this Celtic vs Milan match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
It was one of those early pre-season friendlies where the result means very little, but the process means a great deal. There was also extra curiosity surrounding the match: it was Rúben Amorim’s first game in charge of AC Milan. New ideas, several absentees and a squad still under construction. On the other side was a more settled Celtic team within its own context, though without the same European weight. Before kick-off, the feeling was simple: testing mattered more than winning, but neither side wanted to leave with a poor impression.
The match confirmed that, especially for Milan.
In the 11th minute came the first sign that there was still plenty to improve. Strahinja Pavlović, under absolutely no pressure, tried to play the ball back and quite literally gifted a goal to Camilo Durán. His pass went completely astray, leaving the Celtic forward with the simplest of finishes. A basic mistake, the kind that is impossible to explain at this level. 1-0.
How did Milan respond? By keeping the ball. Lots of it. But without creating any real danger. Sterile possession, slow, predictable football. Celtic did not need to do anything extraordinary. They simply had to wait.
And in the 27th minute, they took advantage again. Ricci lost possession in a dangerous area, Durán won it near the byline and cut the ball back for Forrest, who was left with an almost open goal. Pavlović arrived too late once again, with no reaction. 2-0. A goal and an assist for Durán, who was at the heart of everything.
Very little happened before half-time after that. Milan lacked ideas, depth and any real ability to trouble Celtic. Their first meaningful attempt only came right at the end of the half, when Comotto fired harmlessly at goal. It was far too little for a side that had enjoyed most of the possession.
The second half was a different story.
Right after the restart, Milan won a penalty, and in the 47th minute Camarda stepped up. Calm, simple and clinical. The ball went one way, the goalkeeper the other. 2-1.
From that moment, the game changed. It was not just the goal, it was the energy. Chukwueze and Camarda brought far greater pace and intent.
That became obvious in the 52nd minute. Chukwueze drove forward brilliantly down the right, lifted his head and delivered a precise cross. Camarda attacked the space and headed home. It was the movement of a natural striker. Within a matter of minutes, the match was level again. 2-2.
For a spell, Milan were clearly the better side. They played with greater intensity, attacked more directly and finally started creating genuine chances. It looked as though they might even complete the comeback.
But then they slowed down once more.
Celtic reorganised themselves, lowered the tempo and the match became much more fragmented. Milan still had most of the ball, but without the same impact. One thing stood out in particular: this insistence on always building from the back, even under heavy pressure, is still likely to cause problems. There were several moments where they took completely unnecessary risks.
Even so, Celtic offered very little after the break. Apart from one dangerous effort from Thomas Hatton, they never did enough to deserve another goal.
Post-match
More than the result itself, it is the overall feeling that stands out. Milan showed two very different faces: a worrying first half filled with basic mistakes and a lack of creativity, followed by a far more encouraging second half, largely thanks to the introductions of Chukwueze and Camarda.