Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery. (Photo : Getty Images)
Reigning German Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich are set to clash with Italian Serie A squad AC Milan in a United States and Europe leg match of the 2016 International Champions Cup friendlies on July 27, Wednesday at the Soldier Field in Chicago.
The two clubs are coming off separate friendly wins against low-tiered sides as they open the 2016 ICC competitions against each other.
Bayern Munich routed Landesliga Bayern-Südost squad SpVgg Landshut, 3-0, at the Ebm-papst Stadion am Hammerbach on Friday before they traveled to begin their US preseason tour, Goal reported.
Midfielder Franck Ribery led new head coach Carlo Ancelotti's side with a goal and an assist with the Frenchman opening the scoring at the 34th minute before providing a pass to Austrian defender David Alaba, who sank a long range shot five minutes later to double the lead.
Young winger Daniel Hagler sealed the win with 10 minutes remaining in the game off an assist by 18-year-old midfielder Niklas Tarnat.
Meanwhile, AC Milan nipped Ligue 1 club FC Girondins de Bordeaux, 2-1, at the Stade Alfred Armandie on July 17 to start their preseason with a win, as per ESPN.
It was also the debut game of new Milan head coach Vincenzo Montella, the club's seventh manager since 2014, as he expressed satisfaction about his team's performance after the game.
"I am certainly happy - the lads showed their willingness to put the principles we worked on into practice," said Montella. "Fortunately, we can still get a lot better. The lads interpreted the game well in terms of attitude."
"It was our first match, so we still have to raise our tempo and the speed of our passing when we construct moves. But we are only at the start and there are some positive signs. The most important thing is that the team is showing enthusiasm and really participating in the process," he added.
I Rossoneri will face a tough team in the person of the Bavarians and Montella will surely welcome the challenge as it will only make his team more efficient playing against a top-notch squad.
The predicted result is a close 2-1 decision for Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Starke; Lahm, Tarnat, Martinez, Bernat; Hagler, Alaba; Stingl, Götze, Ribery; Green
AC Milan starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Donnarumma; Antonelli, Paletta, Abate, Romagnoli; Bertolacci, Poli, Menez, Bonaventura; Niang, Suso
