SALA'S STRIKE WINS IT AGAINST GOZZANO: 1‑0 MILAN FUTURO
Milan Futuro
Milan Futuro secured their second win of the season at the D'Albertas, beating Gozzano 1-0. After victory against Trevigliese, Massimo Oddo's side also won their first game of the Serie D Coppa Italia. It was a competitive match, and the hosts were very dangerous, especially in the first half. The Rossoneri did well to keep a high level of concentration and to score after the break, before then creating other chances to find a second.
We began as a 3-4-2-1, and there were positive signs right away from signing Balentien, fresh from his Serie A debut. The whole team did well, and it was great to see the impact off the bench, including the match winner Sala, but also Geroli. These were encouraging signs for Oddo, and his side have now earned passage to the Round of 64 of the Serie D Coppa Italia. Our Group B Serie D debut will come after the break, against Pavia, as Matchday 1 against Leon was postponed to Wednesday 17 September.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM GOZZANO v MILAN FUTURO
MATCH REPORT
It was an identical set-up for Milan Futuro and Gozzano, who both opted for a 3-4-2-1. For the Rossoneri, Bonomi and Sia supported the solo-striker, Asanji. The hosts had the first effort in the 8th minute: after some good work from Lettieri, Sangiorgio got his effort off, but it was just wide. Gozzano then had a chance in the 15th minute, when Pavesi won the ball after a scramble, but his effort hit the post and went behind. One minute later, Bianchi got the ball off Sangiorgio, but his strike was imprecise. Then, the Rossoneri stepped it up, through Balentien's first burst, spreading the ball out to Sia whose left-footed effort was just too high. After another chance for Bianchi, Balentien was a threat once again in the 41st minute: he got in behind and his curling effort was cleared off the line by the Gozzano defence. It finished 0-0 at half-time.
There were no changes during the break and Milan Futuro picked up the pace: in the 52nd minute, Sia found Asanji in the area, who laid off it to Bonomi, but he was tackled right as he was trying to get his shot off. In the 58th minute, Oddo made a triple change: Sala, Quirini and Geroli all came on, and the formation switched to a 4-3-3. In the 64th minute, Cuka denied Geroli's effort on the turn, but just one minute later, Balentien set up Sala who fired home with his right boot: 1-0 Milan Futuro! Gozzano then looked to react through Bianchi, but his strike from the outside of the box just went over the bar. Geroli made a great impact from the bench, and in the 69th minute, he called Cuka into action once again. In the 80th minute, the Rossoneri had a huge chance to make it two: Asanji got round the keeper and found Sia, who beat two defenders and then shot, just for his effort to be blocked on the line. After four minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle was blown.
MATCH DETAILS
GOZZANO 0-1 MILAN FUTURO
GOZZANO (3-4-2-1): Cuka; Di Giovanni, Masetti, Casani; Monteleone (70' Sarpa), Carollo (70' Gemelli), Pennati (82' Areco), Bianchi; Lettieri, Sangiorgio (62' Hoxha); Pavesi (70' Pigato). Subs: Scodellaro; Ahayaoui, Bonanno, Pallaro. Coach: Lunardon.
MILAN FUTURO (3-4-2-1): Pittarella; Minotti (58' Quirini), Duțu, Vladimirov; Balentien, Hodzic (67' Branca), Eletu (58' Sala), Karaca; Bonomi (58' Geroli), Sia (84' Domnitei); Asanji. Subs: Bouyer; Domnitei, Magrassi, Perina, Tartaglia. Coach: Oddo.
Referee: Papi from Prato.
Goal: 70' Sala (MF).
Bookings: 14' Sangiorgio (G), 57' Hodzic (MF), 69' Sala (MF), 90+2' Asanji (MF).
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