New signings Luka Modric and Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez will not be part of AC Milan’s preseason tour across the Asia-Pacific region. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has taken 26 players for the tour, during which the team will play three friendlies in nine days. They will face Arsenal on Wednesday in Singapore before taking on Premier League winners Liverpool three days later in Hong Kong. The tour concludes against Perth Glory on July 31 in Australia.
Modric, 39, is currently on holiday after playing for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup. The Croatian midfielder joined Milan as a free agent last week after leaving Madrid as the most decorated player in their history, with 28 titles.
“We look forward to seeing him on August 4,” Allegri said of Modric ahead of the preseason tour. “He is a champion and will elevate the technical and leadership level.”
Gimenez is also set to report for preseason training on August 4. The Mexican international is on holiday after helping his national team secure their 10th Gold Cup trophy earlier this month. Gimenez scored five goals in 14 league appearances for Milan since joining the club in February from Feyenoord. Milan finished eighth in Serie A last season and missed out on European competition.
“Our main aim is to return to play in the Champions League, which will not be easy due to the highly competitive teams in Italy,” Allegri said. Allegri has recently returned to Milan for a second stint, replacing the sacked Sérgio Conceição. He guided Milan to the league title in 2011.
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