Milan defeat Hamburg on Beckham debut

New Delhi: David Beckham made an unspectacular debut as AC Milan played out a 1-1 draw with Hamburg in Dubai, before winning 4-3 on penalties.

Milan were warming up for the resumption of the Serie A calendar this weekend, and fielded a strong line-up, with Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Pato and debutant David Beckham, who passed a late fitness test, all starting.

Hamburg also fielded many of their first-teamers, with Alex Silva, Piotr Trochowski, and Ivica Olic all playing.

Pato had the first attempt of the game, cutting in from the left and firing wide.

A mistake by Paolo Maldini gifted a chance to Jose Paolo Guerrero, but the Peruvian lashed off-target.

Hamburg were much the better side in the first half-hour, and did most of the attacking. Ivica Olic headed wide, while Alex Silva just failed to turn the ball home at the back post from a right wing free kick.

Marcell Jansen came desperately close to breaking the deadlock on 32 minutes, curling inches over the bar. Dida then had to be sharp to push away a long-shot from Guerrero.

Pato tested Hesl with a daisycutter down the other end, but the sides went in goalless at the break.

There were a mass of substitutes at the break, with Beckham one of those to make way.

Shevchenko and Hamburg substitute Mladen Petric both had attempts in an even start to the second half.

On the hour mark, Milan were awarded a penalty after Ambrosini went down in the box under pressure from Alex Silva. Ronaldinho stepped up, and sent Hesl the wrong way to put Milan ahead.

The lead lasted little longer than five minutes though as substitute Collin Benjamin bundled the ball home from a corner.

Hamburg now looked for a second goal, and Olic zipped in behind Milan replacement Philippe Senderos, and fizzed a low shot just wide.

The Germans missed a fine chance with five minutes remaining as Petric was unmarked six yards out but headed wide. Ronaldinho volleyed over for Milan.

The game went to penalties, and Milan won 4-3. Emerson missed for the Rossoneri, while Aogo and Thiago Neves failed for Hamburg.

Milan: Dida; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Ronaldinho; Pato, Shevchenko

Hamburg: Hesl, Demel, Reinhardt, Mathijsen, Aogo, Jarolim, Alex Silva, Trochowski, Jansen, Olic, Guerrero

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