PRIMAVERA ELIMINATED FROM THE COPPA ITALIA

AC Milan Primavera’s Coppa Italia run has come to an end at the round of 16 stage. In Florence, Fiorentina ran out 4-3 winners in a straight knockout tie following a match that really was difficult to comprehend. It was a first half to forget for the Rossoneri, who went on to fight back valiantly at the end of the second period. However, the damage had been done in the opening half an hour, with the team heading into the break 4-0 down (a brace from Egharevba, goals from David and Bianco). The deficit was just too much to overturn, despite the Diavolo almost pulling off a miracle in the closing stages after goals from Roback, Nasti and Robotti. They were up against a strong side and it was undoubtedly a tough fixture, but more could and should have been done.

In a difficult period, and after another defeat in the league at the weekend, something different was needed from Giunti’s team. The incredible finish to the game makes the result even more bitter, also because it was such an important match. It’s a shame to see a good opportunity go begging. December has begun badly, but four further matches in the Primavera 1 division await this month, all of which are crucial. Next up for the Rossoneri is AC Milan v SPAL, which will kick off at 11:00 CET on Saturday 4 December at Vismara, with the team looking to climb the league table.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM FIORENTINA V AC MILAN

REPORT

The match didn’t begin well for the Diavolo, with Fiorentina starting strongly. Egharevba tested Desplanches in the fifth minute, while David then broke the deadlock (11’) with a header from Corradini’s free kick. Apart from an effort from Rossi, which was saved by Andonov, AC Milan were really struggling, and they fell two behind after 21 minutes as Egharevba found the net. After an opportunity for El Hilali, the Viola made it three on the 31-minute mark: under pressure from Toci, Nsiala got his pass wrong and Bianco took full advantage, going past the goalkeeper and depositing the ball into an empty net. It only got worse in the 36th minute as Egharevba converted from close range. At the end of the half, Desplanches denied David and Andonov stopped Traoré from pulling one back.

After the restart, the Diavolo, with fresh faces on the pitch, tried to go on the attack and started to create more, even if they were lacking a finish. In the 52nd minute, the goalkeeper kept out El Hilali’s long-range effort. Five minutes later, Robotti (from a free kick) and Gala (in the middle of the box) failed to reduce the arrears. In a match where they’d been off the pace, the Rossoneri were also missing luck too. With 72 minutes on the clock, Roback hit the bar from a corner and, on the follow-up, Andonov somehow thwarted Coubis. The hosts were giving a lot away and risked throwing their good work away at the end, with AC Milan scoring three times in a matter of minutes: Roback (88’ and 91’) and Nasti (90’) both found the net, but it was just too late. Full-time.

MATCH SUMMARY

FIORENTINA 4-3 AC MILAN 

FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Andonov; Gentile, Lucchesi, Frison (76' Petronelli), Kayode; Krastev (61' Neri), Corradini (41' Distefano); Egharevba (76' Ghilardi), Bianco, David; Toci (61' Gori). Subs: Dainelli, Fogli; Agostinelli, Rocchetti; Favasuli, Romani, Sacchini. Coach: Aquilani.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Depslanches; Stanga (46' Bosisio), Nsiala, Obaretin (46' Coubis), Bozzolan; Robotti, Eletu (82' Alesi), Gala; El Hilali, Rossi (67' Nasti), Traoré (67' Roback). Subs: Nava, Pseftis; Kerkez; Di Gesù, Foglio, Tolomello; Capone. Coach: Giunti.

Referee: Di Francesco from Ostia Lido.
Goals: 11' David (F), 21' and 36' Egharevba (F), 31' Bianco (F), 88' and 91' Roback (M), 90' Nasti (M).
Bookings: 35' Corradini (F), 57' Lucchesi (F), 77' Bozzolan (M), 84' Robotti (M), 86' Petronelli (F).

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