PRIMAVERA SUFFER DEFEAT IN EXTRA TIME: 2-1 GENOA

AC Milan gave way to Genoa in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia Primavera. The Rossoneri suffered defeat after 120 minutes of fight and intensity, at the end of a rough and dirty match. Sia's strike lit up a balanced first half with few chances, which ended with the Rossoneri in the lead. In the second half, Stalmach's dubious dismissal revived the visitors who - having found the equaliser - took advantage of the numerical superiority to make a comeback in extra time. 

Abate's boys - who had beaten Spezia in the previous round - will rue not closing out the game earlier, with the later chances deciding the outcome. Their early lead inspired by Diego Sia who rewarded the coach's decision to start him, was therefore not enough. The Rossoneri will be called upon to turn over a new leaf in the immediate future: Sunday 13 November away to Lecce to close out this first part of the season in the best way, before a long break.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v GENOA

MATCH REPORT
It was the Rossoneri who built up the first chance of the match: in the 4th minute Victor lofted a ball into the box for Sia, who struck it on the volley but slipped on contact. The Rossoblù responded immediately with Mosole's cross for Debenedetti's header, blocked by Torriani in the 5th minute. In the 19th minute it was again Debenedetti who posed a threat with another header, controlled without any trouble from the Rossoneri's last man. Their rhythm didn't pick up and the balance remained level in the first half-hour, with Gilardino's 11 trying to strike on the counter-attack while Abate's boys dominated possession. In the 31st minute AC Milan took the lead: Stalmach's cross from the three-quarter line was headed in by Sia at the far post, making it 1-0. A chance for either team before the interval: in the 34th minute Lipani's free kick was dealt with by the attentive Torriani, in the 40th minute Victor's attempt from the distance was deflected for a corner. That marked the end of the first half.

AC Milan started well in the second half, pushing on in search of a second: in the 49th minute Stalmach missed the target from a free-kick, while four minutes later Omoregbe grazed the post in an acrobatic move. The match remained rough as tensions rose. The Rossoneri were unable to kick on and the visitors repsonded to Torriani's side in the 72nd minute: Palella took a corner, Calvani evaded everyone with a twist but the ball sailed over the crossbar. In the final quarter of an hour, Stalmach's dismissing (78') for dissent complicated AC Milan's plans, and Genoa made them pay: Scaravilli received the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a violent right-footed strike towards the near post to equalise in the 82nd minute. The Rossoneri were in disarray and the visitors went close to pulling off a winner in the final minutes: Bornosuzov had the winning goal in his sights, but wasted it with a werak shot, while in the 89th minute Accornero's left-footed shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar. It went into extra time.

The momentum of the game in extra time was all on Genoa's side, and they were dangerous especially in the 96th minute: Accornero advanced in a silky move and laid a ball out out for Fini, who was blocked on the turn by Torriani. In the final minutes there was a chance for either side, first again for the visitors with Fini calling on the Rossoneri's last man to intervene, then for AC Milan with Lazetić who had space but was closed down by Sattanino in the corner. In the 110th minute Genoa found the breakthrough: from a corner directed into the middle of the area, Ambrosini rose the highest and scored to make it 2-1. The changes enlivened AC Milan, who threw themselves forward with courage in search of the goal that would take the game to penalties. In the 120th minute, Alesi had the chance to equalise again, but his left-footed shot flew high over the crossbar. The game ended 2-1.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-2 GENOA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Torriani; Casali, Coubis, Nsiala, Bartesaghi (85' Bozzolan (98' Simić)); Zeroli (106' Alesi), Victor, Stalmach; Sia (81' Gala), Mangiameli (91' Lazetić), Omoregbe (78' Scotti). Subs: Bartoccioni, Nava; Bakoune, Bozzolan, Paloschi; Pluvio. Coach: Abate.

GENOA (4-3-3): Sattanino; Scaravilli, Calvani, Gagliardi (108' Cagia), Boci; Sarpa (60' Bornosuzov), Disegni (60' Palella), Lipani (91' Arboscello); Fini, Debenedetti (73' Accornero), Mosole (60' Ambrosini). Subs: Bogunovic; Meconi, Moscatelli, Pittino; Accornero; Romano. Coach: Gilardino.

Referee: Di Francesco from Ostia.
Goals: 31' Sia (M), 82' Scaravilli (G), 110' Ambrosini (G).
Booked: 18' Bartesaghi (M), 93' Gagliardi (G), 121' Alesi (M).
Sent off: 78' Stalmach (M).

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