Preview: Miroslav Dukic looking to guide Valencia to bigger and better things
After proving his worth as the manager of Hercules and Valladolid, Valencia’s new manager, Miroslav Dukic would be hoping to have an equally successful career with Los Che like he had back in his playing days. Dukic spent six years at the Mestalla and won quite a lot of trophies during his time there and would be looking to replicate the same success; this time as a tactician.
The International Champions Cup is comprised of eight teams that will play against each other in San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York, Indianapolis and Miami following the curtain-raiser in Spain.
For AC Milan, the game will serve as a great practise ahead of the team’s Champions League qualification fixtures. Although the task will not be easy, Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri seems satisfied with how his team has fared so far in preseason, which included a win over reigning Italian champions Juventus in the TIM Cup final.
However, the Italian tactician is aware of the fact that his team needs to improve considerably and should do so before the Champions League play-offs.
"We must try to obtain the most we can but we don't know what our maximum is."
Luca Antonini has also highlighted the importance of UCL as the Italy international feels that there is no Champions League without Milan.
The defender added: "Without Milan there is no Champions League.
"Milan’s objective must always be to reach the top, to obtain the best result possible, so first we are determined to get beyond the hurdle of the Champions League play-off, then we’ll see.
"We have almost a month to work for this appointment and we’ll prepare for it as best we can."
Valencia come into this tournament on the back of a very poor tour of Germany where they were beaten by Stuttgart and Karlsruher and barely hung on to a draw with fourth-tier side, Waldhof Mannheim.
Moreover, things have not been great in the transfer market for Los Che either as they have to contend with the persistent rumours surrounding the future of star striker Roberto Soldado and defensive stalwart, Adil Rami. Both men have been hotly linked with a move to the Premier League and Djukic knows that he might not have the two star players next season.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels
Although things haven’t gone according to plan for the new coach, Valencia faithful are bound to flock to the Mestalla and so will millions of fans all over the globe to see a game that could turn out to be a great encounter. Understandably, fans would want to know where to watch the game.
Watch AC Milan vs Valencia live:
In USA at 14:00 ET on ESPN, Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Soccer Channel
Probable starting XI for Valencia and Milan
Valencia (4-2-3-1): Alves; Mathieu, Ruiz, Rami, Cissokho; Romeu, Parejo; Piatti, Banega, Guardado; Soldado.
AC Milan (4-3-3): Abbiati; Constant, Mexes, Zapata, De Sciglio; Montolivo, Muntari, Boateng; Niang, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
