When someone sent me a link for the line-ups for the Berlusconi Trophy on Twitter, I will admit that I was not overly confident of a win. My response, in fact, was that Juve would be the favourites if these were the two teams that were to take to the field.

And there was good reason for this. Milan were without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Pato, Mark van Bommel and Thiago Silva. All are key players and all, besides Robinho, would slip straight into the starting line-up if available.

On the other hand, the side Antonio Conte had lined up seemed much stronger, at least on paper. Milos Krasic, Alessandro Matri, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and new signings Mirko Vucinic and Arturo Vidal suggested that the home side would have their backs to the wall in this encounter.

Indeed, in the opening exchanges this was the case. Juve did start the better of the two sides until Kevin Prince Boateng’s ignited his side with a superb volley to put the Rossoneri one up. Then Clarence Seedorf netted a fine goal from a free kick to put Milan two goals to the good and firmly in control.

Let it be clear, there was some sluggish play exhibited by both sides. The heat and end of hectic preseasons were reasons for this. But, of the two Milan looked the much better outfit especially once they had taken the lead and the reason for this is that the players continue to respond well to Max Allegri.

This is one great advantage this team will have over Inter, Roma, Juventus and Palermo this season. In Allegri we have a Scudetto winning coach whose methods and tactics are now familiar with the players as the second season of his tenure beckons.  Even when the team is not at full strength, as was the case last night, he is still able to deploy a team that is able to get a positive result. This was evident last season too and this characteristic is a true hallmark of a champion team.

When the absentees return to the side, one can be confident of this Milan side starting the season on a good note. Not to mention the club seems very close to signing Alberto Aquilani who will be a great addition as well as the promised Mr. X. If and when these two new players arrive, we can also be quietly confident that this Milan side can repeat last term’s success.

While all the talk is about who the club will sign – and this moment is edging closer – a moment of praise is deserving for Milan’s old guard who again showed they still have something to offer.

Here I refer to Clarence Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini. The former, in addition to scoring the eventual winner was lively throughout, pouncing around like he was five or six years younger. Gattuso was his typical combative self and he was not shy to get stuck into former team mate Pirlo. Nor was Ambrosini for that matter. Some homecoming it was for the former Milan number 21. The greater strength of this trio over Juve’s midfield pair of Pirlo and Marchisio helped Milan control the game from the centre.

It is also worth mentioning the improved showing of Taye Taiwo at left back while Ignazio Abate put in another assured display at right back. And while Antonio Cassano did not set matters alight up front, the lack of a strike partner was perhaps a reason for this.

Next week the real action kicks off against Cagliari. In the meantime, Aquilani may be a Milan player by the end of the week. However, we may have to wait until the very end of the month before finding out who Mr. X is. An exciting couple of weeks ahead, watch this space.