EXCELLENT AFTERNOON FOR THE PRIMAVERA: 2-1 IN DORTMUND

It was an afternoon of praise for Ignazio Abate’s Primavera, who won 2-1 away to Dortmund, maintaining a perfect record in the Youth League group stages. The victory came thanks to the performance of a mature team, able to read the match well, to strike at the right time and defend the German attacks in the second half. Diego Sia and Kevin Zeroli on the scoresheet, both assists provided by Traorè for the second successive win in two matches, following the 4-0 win over Newcastle. A result and a test that confirmed, if there was still a need, the compactness and talent of this team, which promises to be competitive on every front. 

The Rossoneri did well to capitalise on an almost perfect performance in the first half, taking the lead through Sia in 16’ before Zeroli doubled the advantage in 22’, coming close to a third on two occasions whilst limiting the opponents’ chances. Dortmund of course increased the tempo in the second half, however our boys responded with attention, sacrifice and aggressiveness, so much so that Bartoccioni’s first involvement in goal came after the 70th minute, and Dortmund’s injury-time goal never put the final score into question. One final challenge in the league before the break: Sunday at 11:00 CEST against Atalanta to remain at the top of the league. 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
Abate started Nsiala following his suspension in the league, playing Jiménez and Traorè on the left flank, alongside Sia and Scotti in attack. The first half was all Rossonero as we took the lead in 16’, after a couple of chances for Scotti and Victor: Chaka’s freekick from the left and an acrobatic left-footed effort from Sia into the far corner for 1-0. A deserved goal which was doubled five minutes later by captain, Kevin Zeroli, Traorè collecting his second assist from a beautiful corner as the captain knocked it in at the near post for 2-0 AC Milan. Enthusiasm flying from the double, our Primavera came close to a third again through Sia, faced one-on-one with Lisewski was unable to beat the keeper. In the final minutes of the first half, Simić foiled the only threat from the Germans in the first half, clearing a free kick. 

The opening minutes of the second half were controlled with relative ease by AC Milan, conceding only a couple of shots from range from the Gialloneri, nothing dangerous for Bartoccioni. In 65’, the Rossoneri turned it up, creating two big chances: first Scotti, set free by Jiménez could only manage a shot at Lisewski before the keeper got in the way of Bakoune’s effort minutes later. Bartoccioni’s first save of the match came in 70’ when Andrea was equal to Onofrietti’s headed effort. Bartoccioni again in the 72nd minute, rushing out to close down Brunner. In the 83rd minute, Lisewski punched away an effort from Chaka before Bonomi tried from the edge of the area. Dortmund managed to reduce the deficit in injury time, with a measured header from Brunner but the Rossoneri managed the final onslaught very well and brought home the victory. 

MATCH DETAILS

BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-2 AC MILAN

BORUSSIA DORTMUND (4-4-2): Lisewski; Rashidi, Mane, Blank, Korzynietz; Krevsun (46' Campbell), Lubach, Wätjen (86' König), Bamba (56' Herrmann); Rijkhoff (66' Onofrietti), Brunner. Subs.: Zacharias; Meiser, Posadas. Coach: Tullberg.

MILAN (4-3-3): Bartoccioni: Bakoune, Simić, Nsiala (66' Nissen), Jiménez; Zeroli (75' Perrucci), Malaspina, Victor (75' Sala); Scotti (66' Bonomi), Sia (85' Camarda), Traorè. Subs: Raveyre; Magni. Coach: Abate. 

Referee: John Brooks (ENG).
Goals: 16' Sia (M), 22' Zeroli (M), 92' Brunner (B).
Bookings: 7' Simić (M), 34' Zeroli (M), 80' Jiménez (M).

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