Milan have closed their tour of the United States and Canada with a 3-0 victory over Mexican side Chivas.
On from disappointing defeats in the International Champions Cup to Olympiacos, Manchester City and Liverpool, the Rossoneri closed out this leg of their pre-season preparations with a positive result achieved overnight in Houston, Texas.
Whilst the game was decided by goals from M’Baye Niang, Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini, attention focused on the quality of the playing turf, which was laid just two days before the match.
Milan have closed their tour of the United States and Canada with a 3-0 victory over Mexican side Chivas.
On from disappointing defeats in the International Champions Cup to Olympiacos, Manchester City and Liverpool, the Rossoneri closed out this leg of their pre-season preparations with a positive result achieved overnight in Houston, Texas.
Whilst the game was decided by goals from M’Baye Niang, Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini, attention focused on the quality of the playing turf, which was laid just two days before the match.
“Actually, up to the last minute, it was debatable whether it would be played,” Chivas Coach Carlos Bustos conceded post-match.
“The category of players on both sides obligates us to take that type of precaution to require a more acceptable pitch.”
Lone Star Sports & Entertainment and SMG-NRG Park released a statement on the matter too: “The turf for tonight's match was purchased from Thomas Turfgrass in central Texas.
“Thick-cut sod was ordered and installed as scheduled in a manner consistent with how previous temporary fields have been installed at NRG Stadium since 2003.
“There were complications with turf installation and the appearance is not consistent with our standard at NRG Stadium. The sod arrived uneven and the stadium field crew worked to level the surface and fill seams over a 60-hour period leading up to tonight's match. The referees ruled the playing surface to be safe for play.”
Chivas 0-3 Milan
Niang 20 (M), Balotelli 37 (M), Pazzini 72 (M)
Chivas: A. Rodriguez; Pereira, Salcido, Araujo; Sanchez, Arce, Castro, G. Rodriguez; Bravo, De Nigris, Fierro
Milan: Abbiati (Agazzi 63); Abate, Alex (Zapata 63), Mexes (Bonera 74), Albertazzi; Poli (Saponara 63), Cristante, Muntari (Essien 63); Honda (Mastour 74), Balotelli (Pazzini 48), Niang (Menez 74)