AC Milan miss out on Trofeo TIM after Sassuolo defeat
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With the Serie A season just a matter of weeks away, AC Milan stepped up their preparations for the new campaign by taking part in the 16th edition of the Trofeo TIM alongside Spanish side Celta Vigo and Sassuolo. Despite seeing off the La Liga side on penalties following a goalless draw, a 3-2 defeat to their Italian rivals meant they missed out on the trophy. The tournament compiles of 45 minute matches, and took place at the Mapei Stadium. Vincenzo Montella’s side take on Torino in their first league fixture on August 21, with the Rossoneri favourites in the football betting to claim all three points.

In the first of the three matches that made up the competition, Milan faced off against Celta Vigo, and looked the more accomplished side throughout. Starting with a centre back pairing of Gabriel Paletta and Luca Antonelli, and with Carlos Bacca leading the line, Milan were dominant throughout. However, after spurning several chances to take the lead, with the Mexican the main culprit, Milan were made to rely on penalty kicks to see off the Spaniards. With Diego Lopez showing his credentials for the season ahead, it was only Japanese international Keisuke Honda who failed from twelve yards. Milan are the 5/6 favourites for victory over Torino in the football betting with bookmakers Coral, however they will have to find their shooting boots before the big kick off. A classic Coral bet of 33/1 on Milan claiming their first Serie A title since 2011 certainly looks unlikely given the spending of reigning champions Juventus.

For their second match of the day, Milan made six changes for their encounter with Sassuolo. Montella’s men found themselves two goals up inside ten minutes, thanks to a brace from M'Baye Niang. However, this was as good as it got for Milan, and goals from Sassuolo trio Diego Falcinelli, Politano and Marcelo Trotta made it 3-2 to the home side. Matters were compounded for Milan after Niang was forced off injured early in the first half with a suspected hamstring injury. With such a high scoring contest, the football betting at Coral for Milan’s opening fixture is changing all the time, with a 4/1 bet for the home side to score over 3 goals looking attractive.

Elsewhere for the Rossoneri, Montella looks set to battle Juventus for the signature of Boca Juniors winger Rodrigo Bentancur. It is thought that the Uruguayan will cost in the region of 15 million Euros. Meanwhile, Milan remain outsiders in the football betting with Coral to sign Germany’s Julian Draxler.

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