TIME MACHINE: ABATE IN FROSINONE v AC MILAN

So many years representing the Rossoneri colours. First, Ignazio Abate came through the Club's youth ranks, and then he featured for the first team in the Coppa Italia and Champions League. After playing for various Italian clubs, he returned to Milanello, winning the Scudetto and two Supercoppa Italiana titles. He enjoyed a long career, making over 300 appearances for AC Milan, displaying a real sacrificial spirit and showing his attachment to the shirt. During his playing career, Abate, whose journey is now continuing in the dugout, scored just three goals for the Rossoneri. One of these came in the first-ever meeting between Frosinone and AC Milan and was a great moment in a season of ups and downs.

20 December 2015, matchday 17: at the old Stadio Matusa, Frosinone and AC Milan faced each other for the very first time. Mihajlović's Rossoneri were looking to get back to winning ways after two consecutive draws and record their first away victory since the start November. At the time, the team were very much in the fight for Europe but adrift of the top positions. The Rossoneri didn't make the best of starts against the Canarini, who took the lead through Daniel Ciofani in the 19th minute and, in general, threatened Donnarumma's goal on several occasions. As for AC Milan, Abate was one of the Rossoneri's most lively players as he looked to create opportunities down the right flank. He did exactly this at the start of the second half, setting up Honda in a great position, but the Japanese man wasn't able to find the net. However, the equaliser was coming, and it arrived in the 50th minute.

This time, it was Honda who picked out Abate, who scored with a powerful right-footed shot across the goalkeeper. It was the first time he'd scored since bagging a late leveller against Bologna on 25 September 2013. It was exactly what the Rossoneri needed, and it wasn't long before Bacca made it 2-1 from close range (55'). AC Milan kept on pushing and, after creating a number of chances, took a deserved 3-1 lead thanks to an Alex header from a free-kick. Dionisi pulled one back for the hosts, but the Diavolo killed it off through Bonaventura in stoppage time to end the calendar year in the best possible way.

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