Ben Dorgan reports from Lansdowne Road
The Aviva Stadium played host to an entertaining affair in the latest installment of pre-season friendlies for Leeds United and AC Milan with their competitive seasons only around the corner.
A first half goal by Mexican Santiago Jimenez saw the Italian side take the lead against the run of play, but a stunning strike by Anton Stach levelled proceedings on 67 minutes and brought jubilation to a sold-out crowd.
Lansdowne Road saw a large support of mostly Leeds fans who packed out the ground on a sunny afternoon in Dublin, with Irish referee Paul Mclaughlin taking charge of this clash of these two high profile clubs.
There were debutants on both sides starting lineups – Lucas Perri was in the Leeds net for the first time, whereas Ardan Jashari made his first appearance in the Milan colours after only signing earlier in the week.
Early signs were positive for Leeds.
A long ball over the top caught out a hesitant Milan defence and allowed Wilfried Gnonto the first real effort of the game, but his audacious lobbed attempt was easily saved by Terracciano.
They continued to pile on pressure within the first 10 minutes and saw their next effort hit the bar.
Neat play by Daniel James saw the ball fed to Anton Stach who in return found Gnonto out wide. The Italian then returned the ball to Stach, who after some clever footwork inside the box, cannoned an effort off the bar as the Leeds support grew in encouragement.
Milan did pose their own threats in the early stages however, with Noah Okafor – whose form in pre-season has been exceptional – letting an excellent opportunity go by him as he put a close-range chipped effort wide.
The Italians did look to be struggling with the constant Leeds pressure up the pitch, with James and Stach particularly putting in solid shifts in that regard.
However, after an opening 20 minutes full of chances and pressure in favour of Leeds, it was Milan who took the lead just after the half hour mark.
They had been growing into the game more in the minutes beforehand and got the opening goal courtesy of Santiago Jimenez, who was on hand at the back post to finish well after some great work on the opposite wing by Pervis Estupinan and Samuel Chukwueze, with the latter flashing a dangerous ball across the Leeds box which gave Jimenez his first goal in pre-season.
Milan were now settled and began to dictate the tempo of the game with just 10 minutes remaining in the half, as well as getting joy down the left-hand side frequently.
Just on half time however Joel Piroe stung the palms of Terracciano with his first effort of the game, forcing a good stop from the Milan net minder but ultimately it was one up to the Italians at half time.
Positive signs for both sides in the first 45 it had to be said, with Leeds maybe feeling disappointed not to have done more with their 15 minutes or so of pressure.
There was a change each at the halfway point, with Karl Darlow replacing Perri in the Leeds net while Andrei Coubis replaced Yunus Musah for Milan.
Possession was hugely in favour of the Yorkshire club in the opening minutes of the second half, allowing a half chance in front of goal for Gnonto who couldn’t sort his feet out to get a clean strike of the ball after a good delivery from Isaac Schmidt.
The Leeds attack were growing in confidence with Gnonto and Piroe in particular, resulting in a number of early corners for Daniel Farke’s side in front of a vocal South stand full of their support.
Piroe again fashioned a shot on the turn with little pressure from the Milan defence, but his connection was poor and the Dutchman saw his effort go wide.
You felt Leeds were knocking on the door heavier as time went on, and their pressure paid off.
Stach, who was a standout performer for his side so far, found himself in acres of space on the left-hand side.
The German looked up and did not hesitate, firing a beautifully struck effort into the bottom corner of the net from just at the edge of the box.
The Aviva crowd roared into life, as an absolute thunderbolt drew the sides level on 67 minutes.
Leeds didn’t back off after their equaliser, continuing to apply pressure to a struggling Milan defence under the encouragement of an array of white and yellow jerseys packed around the venue.
Farke opted for the bench in the final 15 minutes, bringing on a number of substitutes in an attempt to win the game and send the travelling and Irish based Leeds fans in attendance home happy.
Milan, seemingly not in the game at all, caused a few gasps around the stadium, as substitute Diego Sia forced a save onto the bar from Karl Darlow with a diving header as we edged towards the 90-minute mark.
And again Sia had another chance to win it in added time, as he was allowed space on the edge of the box to get his shot away but ultimately blazed it over, much to the relief of Leeds fans but frustrations for himself.
That was the last major act of the game, as Mclaughlin concluded what was a good test for both sides before their competitive campaign.
Overall Daniel Farke will be pleased with his side’s performance especially within the second half, giving positive signs going into their return to the Premier League while the strong Leeds support were treated to a goal by a new signing who looks to be an exciting addition to the squad.
Massimiliano Allegri will also be pleased with aspects of the Milan performance as well as their form over the summer friendlies but will rue some missed chances on a sunny afternoon in Dublin.
Leeds United: Lucas Perri (Karl Darlow 45), Gabriel Gudmundsson, Ethan Ampadu (Largie Ramazani 75) Pascal Struijk (Jaka Bijol 75), Joe Rodon, Daniel James (Brendan Aaronson 67), Joel Piroe (Lukas Nmecha 67), Anton Stach (Harry Gray 89), Ao Tanaka (Sean Longstaff 67), Wilfied Gnonto (Jack Harrison 75), Isaac Schmidt (Sam Byram 67)
Subs not used: Alex Cairns, Rhys Chadwick
Booked: Anton Stach (58)
AC Milan: Pietro Terracciano (Lorenzo Torriani 69) , Pervis Estupinan, Santiago Gimenez (Diego Sia 61), Noah Okafor, Samuel Chukwueze (Alexis Saelemaekers 83), Ardon Jashari (Victor Elutu 61), Strahinja Pavlovic (Malick Thiaw 83), Emanuele Sala (Samuele Ricci 83), Matteo Gabbia, Yunus Musah (Andrei Coubis 45), Vittorio Magni (Filippo Terraciano 83)
Subs not used: Luka Modric, Mike Maignan, Fikayo Tomori, Dvaide Bartesaghi, Matteo Dutu, Matteo Pittarella
Booked: None
Referee: Paul Mclaughlin
Attendance: 51,700
extratime.com player of the match: Anton Stach (Leeds United)