Football Italia
·9 August 2025
Pre-season round-up: Leeds 1-1 Milan, Fiorentina hold United, Atalanta hammered

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·9 August 2025
Milan picked up a 1-1 draw against Leeds United in Dublin, Fiorentina held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Roma claimed a 1-0 victory over Everton, while Atalanta were dealt a 4-0 hammering in Saturday’s pre-season friendlies.
Milan ended level at 1-1 with Leeds United at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday afternoon in what was the penultimate friendly of the summer for Massimiliano Allegri and his team.
Allegri handed a Milan debut to new recruit Ardon Jashari, who became the most expensive Serie A arrival this summer with his €37m move from Club Brugge. Fellow new boy Pervis Estupinan played at left-back, while opportunities were given to teenagers Vittorio Magni at right-back and Emanuele Sala in midfield.
DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 09: (Milan friendly) Ardon Jashari of AC Milan runs with the ball under pressure from Anton Stach of Leeds United during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and AC Milan at Aviva Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) (Milan friendly)
There was also a start for Italy international Wilfried Gnonto on the wing for Daniel Farke’s side.
It was Milan and centre-forward Santiago Gimenez who opened the scoring in Ireland, applying the finishing touches from six yards out after a neat team move down the left flank that involved Noah Okafor, Estupinan and Samuel Chukwueze.
Anton Stach, who had a busy afternoon in the Leeds midfield, provided the second-half equaliser with a cross-come-shot from the left corner of the penalty area.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Fiorentina head coach Stefano Pioli and Manchester United counterpart Ruben Amorim during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Fiorentina got off to a positive start against Manchester United in their pre-season friendly at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, claiming a 1-0 lead through recent arrival Simon Sohm after a chaotic piece of attempted defending in the United area.
It was a similar story for the United equaliser, which also came as the result of a messy corner, although this one ultimately went down as a Robin Gosens own goal after a battle in the air with opposition defender Leny Yoro.
Level at 1-1 after full-time, the two teams contested a friendly penalty shoot-out, which United won 5-4.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and former teammate David de Gea of Fiorentina pose for a photo while holding a commemorative picture frame prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
The occasion was particularly special for Fiorentina and former United goalkeeper David De Gea, who was honoured with a pre-match presentation in recognition of his 545 matches for the Red Devils. The Spaniard had been given an unceremonious farewell two years ago after being replaced by former Inter stopper Andre Onana.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Matías Soulé of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Taking place down the road from United-Fiorentina was a meeting between Everton and Roma, who are both under the same ownership. This was the first game played at Everton’s new stadium in front of a full-capacity crowd.
The Roma delegation also took time away from their preparations this morning in order to pay tribute to the late Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at the nearby Anfield.
A sole, second half strike from Matias Soule, who found the far corner with a bending effort after an Everton slip at the back, was enough for Gian Piero Gasperini and his players to walk away with a victory.
COLOGNE, GERMANY – AUGUST 09: Kristoffer Lund of 1.FC Koln is challenged by Berat Djimsiti and Ederson of Atalanta during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Köln and Atalanta BC at RheinEnergieStadion on August 09, 2025 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Ivan Juric and Atalanta were dealt a 4-0 hammering against Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln at the Rheinenergiestadion in western Germany.
The hosts led 2-0 at half-time through Jan Thielman and Jakub Kaminski, before Thielman added his second after the interval, which was followed by a Luca Waldschmidt penalty 15 minutes from time.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Matteo Cancellieri of SS Lazio scores a opening goal during the pre-season friendly match between Burnley and SS Lazio at Turf Moor on August 09, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Lazio beat Burnley 1-0 in a friendly at Turf Moor thanks to a goal from returning loanee Matteo Cancellieri and Parma were beaten 2-1 by Bundesliga side 1. FC Heidenheim.