Ghana duo Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien played cameos in AC Milan’s 4-2 win over Real Madrid in the Emirates Challenge Cup played in Dubai on Tuesday night.
Midfielder Muntari was handed a starting role and paired alongside Nigel De Jong but was replaced after 77 minutes.
Youngster Hicham Mastour took his place when Milan were comfortably leading 4-1.
Essien started the second half after replacing Dutchman De Jong at the break and did well to stabilize the midfield by neutralizing the European champions.
Jeremy Menez opened the scoring for Filippo Inzaghi’s side after Real defender Nacho played him in with a poor backpass, the Frenchman leaving Keylor Navas on his backside before stroking into the empty net.
Stephan El Shaarawy doubled the Rossoneri’s advantage with a low shot from the edge of the box with half an hour played.
Cristiano Ronaldo brought Los Merengues back into the game just four minutes later, bending the ball around Diego Lopez from the edge of the area.
El Sharaawy got his second goal of the evening on 48 minutes, passing the ball low into the near corner, before Giampaolo Pazzini made it 4-1 with a header at the back post.
A Karim Benzema penalty reduced Milan’s advantage to two goals, but the Rossoneri held on for victory.
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Arbeloa, Varane, Nacho, Coentrao; Isco, Khedira, Illaramendi; Jesé, Hernandez, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Milan: Diego Lopez (Agazzi, 59); Bonera (Zaccardo, 45), Mexes, Alex, Albertazzi (Armero, 45); Montolivo, De Jong (Essien, 45), Muntari (Mastour, 77); Bonaventura (Niang, 59), Menez (Pazzini, 45), El Shaarawy (Saponara, 69).
