The world of football often produces matches that capture both imagination and headlines, but rarely does a pre-season friendly reverberate so strongly as AC Milan’s emphatic 9-0 victory over Perth Glory on 31 July 2025. Held at HBF Park in Perth, Australia, the clash set tongues wagging in both hemispheres and prompted UK fans to question what the right means for both teams ahead of their respective league campaigns.
A Night to Remember: Milan’s Record Pre-season Display
From the opening whistle, Milan asserted their dominance. Filippo Terracciano set the tone, scoring in only the third minute. The Italian side’s blend of experience, technical prowess, and new signings quickly put the outcome beyond doubt. By the half-hour mark, Milan had already struck five times, with goals from Noah Okafor, Christian Comotto (via a penalty), and Samuel Chukwueze. Perth Glory, to their credit, tried to match Milan’s pace but found themselves under constant pressure from an attack firing on all cylinders.
Half-time substitutions saw the introduction of star names such as Rafael Leão, who netted twice, and Samuele Ricci, whose debut goal capped a fine performance. Yunus Musah also found the scoresheet, demonstrating Milan’s enviable squad depth.
The Match in Numbers
The scoreline alone paints a striking picture: nine goals, eight different scorers, and relentless attacking intent. Okafor was particularly impressive with a brace, underlining why Milan secured his signature. By the final whistle, the statistics told their own story—Milan’s sharpness up front and control in midfield left the Australian side chasing shadows throughout.
Perth registered only sporadic efforts on goal, often thwarted by Milan’s strong defensive organisation and an inspired Pietro Terracciano in goal. Attempts by Adam Bugarija and Arion Sulemani required saving, but Milan’s clean sheet was rarely under genuine threat.
Context and Reactions: What Does It Mean for Milan?
For Milan, this rout was more than just a morale boost. The win rounded off a demanding Asia-Pacific pre-season tour that saw them notch victories over Liverpool and Perth, with only a narrow loss to Arsenal interrupting their progress. Manager Massimiliano Allegri’s tactical tweaks—rotating lineups between halves and giving opportunities to fringe and youth players—paid off handsomely. The likes of Terracciano, Musah, and Ricci seized their chances, suggesting healthy competition for places ahead of the new Serie A season.
Milan’s new signings adapted seamlessly to Allegri’s philosophy, while established stars showed they are peaking at the right time. Controlling possession, exploiting wide areas, and outmanoeuvring a typically well-organised Perth defence, the Italian giants underlined their readiness for both domestic and European challenges.
Perth Glory’s Perspective: Lessons from Elite Opposition
For the hosts, a heavy defeat at home is never easy to digest, yet there were positives amid the pain. New manager David Zdrilic treated the fixture as a chance for his players to test themselves against elite opposition and for fans to see global stars in their own backyard. Perth’s young squad, recovering from a difficult A-League campaign and recent Australia Cup elimination, showed flashes of energy, but the gulf in quality was always likely to tell.
Despite the lopsided score, Perth’s experience playing against Milan will be invaluable as they regroup for their domestic season. For younger players especially, facing world-class opposition offers a level of learning rarely matched in normal A-League fixtures.
The Growing Role of Global Friendlies
Pre-season tours have become increasingly important for Europe’s biggest clubs, and Milan’s visit to Australia underscores the sport’s global reach. Friendlies allow for squad experimentation, fitness work, and, crucially, engagement with fans outside traditional heartlands. For Milan, whose UK-based supporters are numerous, following their progress across continents is now part of the club’s wider identity.
Additionally, matches like this serve as valuable shop windows for emerging talent, offering chances to impress beyond home leagues. The match’s largest crowd—over 19,000 at HBF Park—highlighted the appetite for world-class football in Australia and the ability of storied clubs to unite supporters from across the globe.
Star Performers and Tactical Trends
Two players stood out for Milan. Swiss forward Noah Okafor demonstrated clinical finishing and clever movement, suggesting he’ll be central to Milan’s attack this season. Rafael Leão, entering after the break, brought verve and unpredictability, twice finishing with aplomb. Samuele Ricci, a new midfield signing, also impressed with composure and a debut goal, immediately endearing himself to Milan fans.
Allegri’s decision to run with two different starting elevens for each half allowed Milan to showcase depth and tactical flexibility, a possible preview of the rotation policy that could define their 2025/26 campaign.
UK Angle: Implications for Fans and the Season Ahead
Milan’s show of force naturally attracts attention in the UK, where Italian football retains a sizable fan base. Their positive tour form comes after a mixed 2024/25 campaign at home, with supporters eager to see whether this new-look, confident Milan can challenge on multiple fronts. British-based players—like Yunus Musah, formerly of Arsenal’s academy—provide a familiar link for UK fans and highlight the interconnected nature of the European game.
For Perth Glory, the harsh lesson delivered by Milan will be used to fuel a season of rebuilding. While the outcome was never likely to impact European pundits’ pre-season predictions, it provided much to analyse regarding both club’s trajectories.
What’s Next for Both Clubs?
Milan conclude their Asia-Pacific adventure brimming with momentum, next facing Leeds United and Chelsea in UK friendlies as preparations intensify ahead of the Serie A and Coppa Italia openers.
Perth, meanwhile, returns to domestic business, seeking stability and progress after a challenging year. Manager Zdrilic faces a tough task but knows his players received an unparalleled test, which could reap benefits when the A-League season kicks off.
Conclusion
AC Milan’s 9-0 demolition of Perth Glory is not just a footnote in a summer of friendlies. It reinforces their ambitions and quality while offering lessons in humility and perseverance to their Australian hosts. For UK fans, the return of European giants to winning ways on international soil stokes anticipation for the campaign to come—and ensures Milan remain very much part of the global football conversation.
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