THE PRIMAVERA FIGHT BACK TO DRAW TO KICK-OFF 2023

In the end, it was Youns El Hilali, with an absolute stunner, that gave AC Milan's Primavera side an unexpected draw in their first match of 2023. It was a point earned after a spirited fightback from Coach Abate's young lads - 2-0 down at half-time - who grabbed the equaliser in the 98th minute. It ended 2-2 at the PUMA House of Football, with Gala's first goal of the season reducing the deficit before, as already mentioned, El Hilali's goal to draw the two teams level. It's a point that rewards courage and belief, and brightens up this new start to the year.

Missing some key players, the Rossoneri U19s were still able to maintain their identity and adopt their style of play, eventually snatching a point that looked for a long time out of sight. These are strong signs for a group that is hungry to improve, to impress and continue their positive progression seen over the course of the first few months of the season. All of the lessons learned from this game will be taken forward to next Sunday, as they next face Inter away in the derby, the perfect place to get that first win of the new year under their belt.

GALLERY: AC MILAN V NAPOLI

THE MATCH
The first chance of the game came for the home side with young Scotti's attempt being turned behind for a corner, after a lovely, slalom run into the box. Napoli's first attack forward ended with the opening goal after 19 minutes, as Gioielli got ahead of Paloschi to head home past Torriani, who was making his first league start of the campaign. The Rossoneri were left flustered for a few minutes afterwards, but found the strength to react as the half wore on: El Hilali and Gala, after 33' and 35', respectively, called Boffelli into action again with two smart saves. But little else of note happened after that and the half ended with the away side a goal to the good.

At half-time, Abate immediately changed his pack around with Stalmach replacing Pluvio, but inside two minutes of the restart Napoli doubled their lead, with Scavone making the most of Simić's slip beating Torriani at the near post. Ten minutes later though, the scoreline was halved through Gala, who got himself in front of Boffelli to head home Bakoune's cross. The contest was back on and the possibility of a Rossoneri fightback reinvigorated the home team. Alesi and Omoregbe came on to give more energy and rhythm to the attacking onslaught, and it was them, on the 77th-minute mark, who carved out an excellent opportunity, but Bob's effort went just past the woodwork. Bookings and some time-wasting from Napoli forced the match deep into stoppage time, and after 98 minutes El Hilali, from the edge of the box, let fly an unstoppable right-footed strike to earn Coach Abate's side a well-deserved point at the death.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN v NAPOLI 2-2

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Torriani; Bakoune (81' Casali), Simić, Paloschi, Bartesaghi; Gala (81' Longhi), Victor, Pluvio (46' Stalmach); Sia (57' Alesi), El Hilali, Scotti (67' Omoregbe). Unused subs: Bartoccioni; Foglio, Mangiameli, Nsiala, Parmiggiani, Perera, Robotti. Coach: Abate.

NAPOLI (3-4-2-1): Boffelli; Barba, D'Avino, Obaretin; Giannini (83' Gningue), Marchisano (59' Acampa), Iaccarino (46' Boni), Gioielli; Spavone (70' Russo), Alastuey; Rossi (83' Pesce). Unused subs: Turi, Mutanda, Nosegbe-Susko, Sahli. Coach: Frustalupi.

Referee: Andreano di Prato.
Goals: 19' Gioielli (N), 47' Scavone (N), 56' Gala (M), 90'+8 El Hilali (M).
Bookings: 42' Bartesaghi (M), 62' Gioielli (N), 78' Omoregbe (M), 83' Paloschi (M), 83' Alesi (M), 86' Alaustey (N), 90'+8 El Hilali (M). 

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