Tottenham Hotspur ended their pre-season with a win as they overcame Italian giants AC Milan to finish third in the Audi Cup.
Nacer Chadli – returning to the starting XI after missing last night’s defeat to Real Madrid – opened the scoring with a delightful effort in the first half, before Tom Carroll added a second with a neat finish.
Captain Hugo Lloris also made a surprise appearance as he came on as a second half substitute, suggesting that the Frenchman may be fit in time for his side’s Premier League curtain raiser at Saturday lunchtime.
Despite being Tottenham’s last game of pre-season, the match had a distinct training ground feel to it with both sides making a number of changes following Tuesday’s Semi-Final defeats.
Mauricio Pochettino introduced nine new players, with Eric Dier and Erik Lamela the only ones that remained from the defeat to Real Madrid, whilst the Italians changed their entire side.
It was a familair face that made the breakthrough eight minutes in however, as Belgian Chadli was afforded far too much time to pick Christian Abbiatti’s far corner and give Pochettino his first lead of pre-season.
Milan did their best to ensure it was not a lengthy one as Matri tested academy goalkeeper Luke McGee firstly with a delicate chip, then with a venomous strike from close range, but the 18-year-old was equal to both of the Italy international’s efforts.
At the other end, Erik Lamela could’ve extended the lead but the Argentinian showed signs of rustiness once more with a tired finish from close range in just his second appearance of the summer since returning from Copa America duty.
Tom Carroll then had his first sniff of the game, but Christian Abbiati did well to tip the youngster’s effort wide and ensure his team went into the break just one goal down.
Spurs’ dominance continued into the second-half however, energized by the additions of – to name a few – Dele Alli, Ryan Mason, and encouragingly, Hugo Lloris, the Londoners looked the more likely to add the second goal of the game.
Kieran Tripper’s shot come cross almost squeezed in at the front post, whilst former Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta produced a fine last-ditch tackle to deny Erik Lamela one-on-one just before the hour mark.
Spurs’ second goal did eventually come though, and it was Carroll – still reeling from his missed opportunity in the first-half – who killed the game off with twenty minutes to go.
New signing Trippier found the 23-year-old’s feet with a delightful defence-splitting pass, and Carroll adjusted his body well to deliver a lovely first-time finish into the bottom corner with aplomb.
Lloris’ wrists were finally tested in the closing stages via a stinging Rodrigo Ely volley, and although the Frencman needed a second attempt to gather the effort, he withstanded the Brazillian’s venomous strike much to the reassurance of the fans in attendance.
Whether he will be considered for Saturday’s Premier League opener remains another matter, but Pochettino will be encouraged by his captain’s appearance and boosted by a win ahead of the eagerly-awaited trip to Old Trafford.
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