FIRST TEST GOES WELL: 3‑2 AGAINST LUMEZZANE
Friendly
Milanello hosted the first test for AC Milan after the break, with the Rossoneri busy preparing for the second half of the season. Today's guests were Lumezzane, the leaders of their Serie D group. Pioli, without certain players on national duty at the World Cup in Qatar, opted for an experimental line-up, led by the attacking duo of Origi and Rebić. 3-2 was the final score, with the Diavolo falling behind twice but eventually able to bring home the victory.
Adli was the first AC Milan player to score, with a fine solo effort at the start of the second half. In the middle of the second half Pioli gave several youngsters from the Primavera team a chance to shine, and they made the difference: first equalising and then to overturn the scoreline: Alesi and Victor led the comeback by scoring two goals. At the weekend the team will travel to the United Arab Emirates where the Dubai Super Cup is scheduled, with friendlies against Arsenal (13 December) and Liverpool (16 December) on the horizon.
TAKE A LOOK: THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V LUMEZZANE
HOW IT WENT
Lumezzane got off to a good start and in the 10th minute took the lead through Spini, who left Tătăruşanu no chance thanks to a precise left-footer from the edge of the box. The Rossoneri struggled to get into their stride and the Brescians took advantage of that to create more danger, with Tătăruşanu having to deflect Spini's left-footed shot out for the corner on two close-range occasions, while in the 23rd minute Paravvicini's header was inches away from doubling their lead. Rebić tried to stir his team-mates and in the 25th minute he got on the end of Tonali's pass, but fired it over Pisoni from the penalty spot. Again the Croatian played a starring role, first with a shot that was kept out by the Lumezzane goalkeeper and then with a shot that ended up high over the crossbar. In the 38th minute came AC Milan's last burst of the first half: Tonali's back-heel found Rebić in the middle, who broke free but miss-kicked, squandering the chance.
The Rossoblù came out strongly in the second half with an individual effort from Forte, which Mirante stretched out and blocked. In the 51st minute AC Milan equalised with the ball at the feett of Adli, who skipped past three opponents and beat Pisoni from close-range. The balance was short-lived as Lumezzane immediately found space to break away and Mauri put his side ahead again in the 54th minute with an unstoppable right-footed shot. In the 57th minute Origi played a one-two and crossed with his left foot; an easy clearance for the defender. In the 59th minute, Adli snatched the ball on the edge of the area and struck a half-volley that didn't quite reach the target. In the 67th minute Pioli substituted the entire eleven with the exception of Bakoune, and the new players made up for it by taking centre stage. In the 68th minute, Alesi took advantage of a defensive lapse from the opposition and scored from close range to level the match. In the 71st minute Bakoune's cross was met by Lazetić, the Serbian striker attempting a volley but sending it wide. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute: a ball came into the middle for Victor who controlled it in the box and beat Pisoni for the final and winning goal.
SUMMARY
AC MILAN 3-2 LUMEZZANE
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Tătăruşanu (41' Mirante); Bakoune, Gabbia (67' Kalulu), Tomori (67' Thiaw); Krunić (67' Foglio), Adli (67' Alesi), Vranckx (67' Victor), Tonali (67' Gala), Pobega (67' Bozzolan); Origi (67' Lazetić), Rebić (67' El Hilali). Unused: Jungdal. Coach.: Pioli.
LUMEZZANE (4-3-3): Pisoni; Regazzetti, Tomas (41' Pogliano), Tortelli, Parodi (41' Rigo); Calì (41' Sperti), Pesce (41' Squarzoni), Poledri (41' Antonelli); Alessandro, Parravicini (41' Forte), Spini (41' Mauri). Unused: Fligheddu; Scanzi. Coach: Franzini.
Referee: Minelli di Varese
Goals: 10' Spini (L), 51' Adli (AC), 54' Mauri (L), 67' Alesi (AC), 78' Victor (AC).
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