YOUTH LEAGUE: THE PRIMAVERA START WITH A DRAW

This afternoon, the Primavera drew their opening 2022/23 Youth League fixture 1-1 with FC Salzburg, who finished runners-up in the competition last season. After a difficult start that saw the Austrians play at a very high tempo, the Rossoneri managed to strike the first blow, taking a tenth-minute lead thanks to Coubis’ penalty. They then did everything to thwart FC Salzburg’s advances, closing down the spaces through the middle and looking to hit their opponents on the counter.

Despite Konate’s equaliser in the second half, it was a very positive performance from Abate’s side, who showed improvement in many areas, especially in defence but also in terms of the character they displayed and the way they managed the match. The Diavolo will look to build on today’s display when they next take to the pitch: at 11:00 CEST on Sunday 11 September, they’ll face Cagliari at the PUMA House of Football in the Primavera 1 division.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM FC SALZBURG V AC MILAN

HOW IT UNFOLDED
The match kicked off and the hosts immediately went on the attack, with Berki forcing Nava into an early stop. From the resulting corner, Lechner failed to convert from close range after a favourable bounce. FC Salzburg kept up the pressure and came close again in the third minute: Nava kept out Yeyo’s attempt and Gevorgyan fired the rebound off target. After a tough start, AC Milan regrouped and struck on the counter after nine minutes: Cuenca was brought down in the box by the home goalkeeper Krumrey, who was then beaten from the penalty spot by captain Coubis. The goal galvanised Abate’s team, with the hosts now looking less assured. In the 36th minute, Gala pounced on Cuenca’s cross-shot and hit the bar. FC Salzburg then threatened at the end of the half: first, Berki wasted a big opportunity (42’), while Pejazic hit the post with a free-kick three minutes later. At the other end, El Hilali picked out Cuenca, who, from the edge of the box, failed to keep it down.

The second half started with a great bit of individual play from El Hilali in the final third. Traorè benefitted from his great work, receiving the ball and taking on Gevorgyan in the area, but he slipped just as he was about to pull the trigger. FC Salzburg equalised in the 65th minute: Pejazic played a cross into the box, where Konate reacted quickest to net from close range. A few minutes later, Nsiala lost possession and Konate tried to get the better of Nava, but he got too much behind his lob. With things having become more settled, the two coaches tried to shake things up with their changes. AC Milan were looking to exploit Traorè’s pace, while the home side were hoping to make the most of their set-pieces, which is what Pejazic failed to do when he shot off target in the 79th minute. There was a final scare for the Primavera after 89 minutes as Bijelic played in a dangerous ball, but no FC Salzburg player was there to meet it. In stoppage time, Traorè’s bicycle kick from Longhi’s cross was blocked by the Austrian defence, while Coubis wasn’t too far away with a great effort from distance. It finished 1-1.

MATCH SUMMARY

FC SALZBURG 1-1 AC MILAN 

FC SALZBURG (4-3-3): Krumrey; Gevorgyan (87' Bijelic), Moswitzer, Molnar, Pejazic; Yeo, Sahin, Hofer (59' Jano);  Berki, Lechner (59' Reischl), Konate. Unused substitutes: Toth, Gertig; Trummer, Paumgartner. Coach: Ingolitsch.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Nsiala, Bartesaghi (62' Bozzolan); Gala (71' Zeroli), Marshage, Pluvio (77' Foglio); Cuenca (62' Scotti), El Hilali (71' Longhi), Traore. Unused substitutes: Torriani; Paloschi. Coach: Abate.

Referee: Daniel Schlager (GER)
Goals: 10' Coubis (M), 65' Konate (S)
Booked: 33' El Hilali (M); 56' Coubis (M); 93' Sahin (S)

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