Late Aubameyang winner gives Milan 3-2 win over Juventus

A late winner by 19-year-old striker Willy Aubameyang gave Milan a 3-2 victory over Juventus in a friendly at the San Siro yesterday.

The French youngster, on as a second half substitute, peeled off his marker at the far post to head in Andrea Pirlo's cross four minutes from the end of a lively contest.

The annual face-off between the clubs, called the Berlusconi Trophy, should have taken place last August but was postponed until the midseason break due to the chaos caused by the Serie A match-fixing scandal.

And with Juventus now playing in the second division for their part in the scandal, the fixture gave the Italian heavyweights an opportunity to square up to each other this season.

Milan are in the middle of a winter training camp in Malta and play local side Birkirkara on Tuesday in a friendly.

They were rewarded for a bright start yesterday in the 29th minute when Cristian Brocchi delivered a low cross into the box for Filippo Inzaghi to turn past visiting keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

But Juve's key trio of Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved showed they had lost none of their sharpness despite playing in a lower division when they combined to score the equaliser shortly before half-time.

Del Piero picked out Trezeguet with a cross, the Frenchman's shot was beaten away by Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac, but Nedved hooked in the rebound from close range.

Juventus went ahead midway through the second half with Del Piero nodding in a free-kick at the near post, but Milan struck back barely a minute later when Clarence Seedorf powered in with a header from in another cross by Brocchi.

Aubameyang's goal gave bragging rights to the Serie A side, though Juve's performance showed they could once again be a force in the top flight should, as expected, win promotion this season.

Berlusconi meets Maltese

Birkirkara top officials were at the San Siro yesterday and met Milan president Silvio Berlusconi during half-time. They were given a very warm welcome and thanked for the on-going training camp hosted by the Malta champions.

Prior to kick-off the Birkirkara delegation was also invited to enter the pitch to see the players during their warm-ups.

The Milan squad and the Maltese who travelled to Italy for yesterday's match return to Malta today. Milan will continue their mid-season training with another session this afternoon at Ta' Qali.

Meanwhile, coach Carlo Ancelotti announced yesterday that defender Leandro Grimi, who recently signed from Racing of Argentina, will join the squad and travel to Malta today.