Chukwueze shines with decisive assist as AC Milan fight back to draw with Celtic in pre-season opener

Samuel Chukwueze delivered a decisive second-half assist as AC Milan overturned a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Celtic in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The Nigerian winger came off the bench for Milan at the interval and set up Francesco Camarda’s equaliser, capping a much-improved second-half display from the Serie A side in their first warm-up match of the summer.

For Celtic, it was the final outing before the defence of their Scottish Premiership title begins in just over a week, and they looked in control after racing into a 2-0 lead before the break.

Celtic punish Milan errors to move two ahead

Celtic went in front after 12 minutes following a defensive lapse from Milan. A loose back-pass from Pavlovic towards goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani was intercepted by Camilo Duran, who capitalised on the mistake and finished from close range.

The Scottish champions doubled their advantage in the 28th minute, again profiting from uncertainty in Milan’s back line. Samuele Ricci misjudged an attempted back-pass, allowing Duran to seize on the error inside the penalty area. Duran then squared the ball to James Forrest, who managed to beat the goalkeeper despite three Milan defenders attempting to block his shot.

Those two goals gave Celtic a commanding position at half-time, with Milan struggling for fluency at both ends of the pitch in their opening friendly under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Amorim’s changes transform Milan display

Ruben Amorim made a raft of substitutions during the interval, introducing a fresh XI for the second half, with Chukwueze among those brought on.

The changes had an immediate effect. Within two minutes of the restart, Camarda earned a penalty after being fouled inside the box. The forward took responsibility from the spot and side-footed the ball emphatically into the top-right corner to reduce the deficit to 2-1 on 47 minutes.

Camarda almost completed the turnaround soon afterwards. He met a cross from Chukwueze but sent his header wide when well placed, passing up a clear opportunity to level the match.

Chukwueze creates leveller for Camarda

Chukwueze quickly made amends for that missed chance by producing a moment of real quality to create Milan’s second goal in the 52nd minute.

Having received the ball on the wing, the winger drove past his marker and surged towards goal before delivering a pinpoint cross with the outside of his left foot. Camarda timed his run to perfection and this time directed his header past the Celtic goalkeeper to make it 2-2.

From that point, Milan carried the greater attacking threat, with Chukwueze central to much of their forward play, although neither side managed to find a winner as the game finished level.

Chukwueze building on Fulham loan spell

Chukwueze is looking to cement his place under Amorim after spending last season on loan at Fulham. During his time in the Premier League he scored three goals and provided four assists in 23 appearances.

The 25-year-old, a Nigeria international with the Super Eagles, has also been assigned a new role at AC Milan by Amorim this summer, and his impact off the bench against Celtic will have strengthened his case for regular involvement as the club’s preparations for the new campaign continue.