Samuel Chukwueze played a pivotal role in AC Milan's 3-1 victory over Monza, helping the Rossoneri cap off their preseason in style by retaining the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy in front of an electrified San Siro crowd.
Starting on the bench, Chukwueze made his entrance at halftime, replacing Belgian winger Alexis Saelemaekers, with the scoreline evenly balanced at 1-1.
Monza had managed to equalize after Milan's early lead, setting the stage for an intense second half. Milan initially took the lead through a deflected rabona by Saelemaekers, but Daniel Maldini restored parity just before the break.
The second half, however, belonged to Milan's substitutes. Luka Jovic found the back of the net shortly after coming on, and Tijjani Reijnders sealed the victory with a spectacular long-range strike.
Chukwueze's impact was immediate and undeniable. His speed and creativity wreaked havoc on Monza's defense, and he played a crucial role in Milan's attacking efforts. One of his standout moments came when he created a perfect scoring opportunity for Noah Okafor, only for it to be thwarted by an exceptional save.
Paulo Fonseca's starting lineup featured a blend of established stars like Rafael Leao and new additions like Alvaro Morata, but it was the introduction of Chukwueze and the other substitutes that ultimately tilted the match in Milan's favor.
This win marks Chukwueze's second trophy with AC Milan, following their penalty shootout triumph over Monza in last season's Silvio Berlusconi Trophy.
As the new season approaches, Chukwueze and Milan will be setting their sights on glory in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and a deep run in the Champions League.
