Milan’s numerous commitments and busy summer schedule have put the annual Trofeo Berlusconi on the shelf, at least for this season.
The Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi is an annual one match competition that former Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi organized in memory of his father Luigi in 1991. Although Milan have played against different teams initially (Inter, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich) the competition was famously known as the battle between Milan vs Juventus. They faced each other every summer from 1995 to 2012. Juventus leads the series 10-9.
In 2013 there was no match due to scheduling conflicts, while in 2014 Milan beat San Lorenzo 2-0 and in 2015 Inter beat Milan 1-0.
Due to Milan’s busy schedule this summer, with a tour in China and Europa League preliminaries to prepare for, the club has confirmed the Trofeo Berlusconi will be cancelled for this season.
Milan will face Lugano today in a friendly at 19:00 CET.
Here is a recap of Milan’s schedule
International Champions Cup – China
18/07/17 Milan-BVB – ICC Guangzhou
22/07/17 Milan-Bayern Munich Shenzhen
UEFA Europa League
27/07/17: Third qualifying round, first leg
03/08/17: Third qualifying round, second leg
17/08/17: Play-off round, first leg
24/08/17: Play-off round, second leg
Serie A
20/08/17: Start of new Serie A season
The appeal and prestige of this competition has been in steady decline, coinciding with Milan’s bad results the past few seasons. The fact Milan’s roster has lacked star power hasn’t helped either and fans have shown a lack of interest.
With Milan’s new Chinese ownership setting up Milan China to help grow and develop the market in China, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Milan will continue going to China every summer for the foreseeable future.
Milan CEO Marco Fassone has reiterated in his business plan the importance of growing revenues in China, so playing matches there to market the club and its players makes total business sense.
As for the future of the Trofeo Berlusconi, no decision has been made.
