International Champions Cup Preview: LA Galaxy v Milan

Landon Donovan has urged LA Galaxy to focus on the bigger picture ahead of the International Champions Cup third-place play-off with Milan.

Galaxy are taking part in the competition in the middle of their domestic MLS season and Donovan has warned his team-mates that they must not let it be a distraction to them.

A 3-1 victory over Juventus on Saturday secured their place in Wednesday’s play-off but the forward admitted that he had an eye on their MLS clash with Dallas on Sunday.

“We’ve got to be smart because the real season starts again on Sunday,” he told the club’s official site.

“These are good games to get experience for the younger guys and to really enjoy the moment, but we have to keep our eye on the big picture.”

The return of captain Robbie Keane at the Dodger Stadium lifted the defending MLS champions against Antonio Conte’s side to give them their first win of the competition.

Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan have had mixed fortunes during the close-season, having beaten Valencia and Sao Paulo while also falling to convincing defeats against Premier League duo Manchester City and Chelsea.

The loss to Jose Mourinho’s charges meant that they missed out on reaching the final of the competition, but they have fared better than their San Siro rivals Inter and fellow Italian outfit Juventus, who will contest the seventh-place play-off.

Allegri will be looking to sign off from the tournament with a positive result to aid in his preparations for the new Serie A campaign, which begins with a trip to Verona on August 25.

Milan finished third last season but the gap to champions Juventus was 15 points and Allegri has his work cut out if the club are to regain the title that they last won in 2011.