AN EIGHT-MAN PRIMAVERA GO THROUGH ON PENALTIES

After a penalty shootout, and having finished extra time with eight men, the Primavera overcame Monza and qualified for the Primavera TIM Cup round of 16. A thrilling game where the Rossoneri fought and risked it all throughout, but in the end they came away victorious with a 5-4 victory on penalties, all five of our takers slotting home and Lombardi’s miss and Tonin’s finish proving decisive. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Colferai and Frigerio both netting in the first half ahead of the incredible drama to come. Mionić and Oddi were both shown red cards, and an injury to Bosisio with no remaining changes meant that proceedings ended with just eight men on the pitch for the Rossoneri. But all that mattered was winning, and that was what happened, despite the high number of changes in Coach Giunti’s starting line-up. Although there are certainly things to work on in the week ahead. The next round will see AC Milan up against Fiorentina in another single-legged knockout tie. Meanwhile, the Primavera’s next outing will see them travel to face Juventus away in the league this Saturday at 13:00 CEST. Three big and important points at stake.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM MONZA V AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT

The home side started well, opening the scoring after just six minutes as a long throw from Lombardi caught the AC Milan backline off guard and Colferai beat Moleri. In minute 14, Giosuè came close to a second for his side but his free kick smashed against the post. This did however spark the Rossoneri into life: Capone fired wide in the 18th minute; El Hilali couldn’t get his effort right in minute 21; and then Michelis’ header just didn’t have enough power in minute 24. An even bigger chance came in the 31st minute, Di Gesù firing one low at goal but Rubbi doing well to save. But the equaliser was in the air, and it arrived just before half-time: following Capone’s corner, it was Frigerio who found a way through to level the scores. Half-time.

The Diavolo pushed on after the break, Mionić striking the woodwork in the 52nd minute following a free kick. More chances swiftly followed: in minute 60 Tonin looked certain to score, but the goalkeeper miraculously kept it out, along with Mionić’s rebound effort. Our shotstopper at the other end was however just as impressive, Moleri keeping out Colferai in the 69th minute before Rubbi came up strong once more to keep out Signorile in minute 81. That little bit of luck was just missing, as El Hilali once again rattled the crossbar with his left in the 87th minute. The full-time whistle blew, and into extra time we went.

Fatigue and pressure began to take their toll. In the 95th minute Grassi stabbed one goalwards but it didn’t hit the target. Then Monza really threatened: Moleri kept out Calabrò in minute 97 before Grassi blocked a Colferai shot in minute 107. The Rossoneri had to weather the storm. After risking going behind once more, they found themselves down to eight in the 113th minute: Mionić sent off for a foul and Oddi shown red for his protests, while Bosiso also had to exit the pitch due to injury and a lack of remaining substitutes. The whistle blew and it went all the way to penalties, where a flawless AC Milan finally won 5-4.

MONZA 1-1 AC MILAN (AC Milan win 5-4 on penalties)

MONZA (4-3-1-2): Rubbi; Giosuè, Robbiati, Saio, Falzoni; Lombardi, Magli (51' Calabrò), Salducco (73' Pucci); Colferai; Caccavo (73' Gambino), De Paoli (46' Folla). Bench: Priori; Cattaneo, Sacchini, Kojdheli; Caronni, Pioloco, Vallisa. Coach: Allegretti.

MILAN (4-3-2-1): Moleri; Stanga (46' Bosisio), Grassi, Michelis, Obaretin (68' Oddi); Frigerio (46' Mionić), Robotti (77'  Bright), Di Gesù; Signorile, Capone (46' Tonin); El Hilali. Bench: Jungdal; Tahar; Cretti; Olzer. Coach: Giunti.

Referee: Milone (Taurianova).
Goals: 6' Colferai (MO), 45' Frigerio (MI).
Penalty sequence: Gambino goal (MO), Michelis goal (MI), Lombardi post (MO), Di Gesù goal (MI), Calabrò goal (MO), Bright goal (MI), Pucci goal (MO), El Hilali goal (MI), Rubbi goal (MO), Tonin goal (MI).
Bookings: 57' Di Gesù (MI), 90+4' Lombardi (MO)
Red cards: 113' Mionić (MI) and Oddi (MI).

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