SAMPDORIA DEFEATED ON PENALTIES: THE PRIMAVERA PROGRESS
Youth Teams
Milan Primavera overcame Sampdoria on penalties to progress into round two of the Coppa Italia, where they will face Spezia. It was a hard-fought match in Bogliasco which was left undecided at the end of regular time. The Rossoneri, after having finished the first half ahead thanks to Merletti’s goal, were then put behind by the Blucerchiati before a piece of magic from Pecorino right at the death took the match to extra time. The game was won by Merletti’s penalty after two consecutive saves from Soncin, who was massive in Milan’s progression to the next round. A big victory, huge for the confidence of a Primavera side now exhausted after having played 120 minutes. Following the success against Pordenone in the league, this is the second win in a row for Coach Giunti’s side.
MATCH REPORT
The Rossoneri opened the scoring in the 26th minute with Tommaso Merletti's shot from inside the area. The goal really brought Milan to life but they weren’t able to double their lead in the first half. The start of the second saw Sampdoria come out with much more energy and they immediately found an equaliser through Amado’s header. After a balanced half an hour, the Blucerchiati scored their second as Prelec beat Soncin with a right-footed shot from inside the area. The Rossoneri then threw men forward in search of an equaliser, finding themselves in a numeral advantage after Yayi Mpie was sent off for dissent after a challenge with Pecorino. It was Pecorino himself who took the game to extra time in the 94th minute, with Raspa unable to do anything to keep his effort out. Milan got close to another goal in extra time with Pecorino and Brescianini, but the match was destined for penalties. Soncin saved from Giordano and Belhouli, with Merletti scoring the winning penalty. Milan will face Spezia in the second round.
CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE MATCH
STATISTICS
SAMPDORIA 2-2 MILAN (Milan win 4-2 on penalties)
SAMPDORIA (4-3-3): Raspa; Sorensen, Veips, Obert, Giordano; Casanova (46' Pompetti), Chrysostomou, Canovi (46' Bahlouli); Scaffidi (63' Yayi Mpie), Amado (63' Prelec), Sabattini. Substitutes: Boschini, Rocha, Maggioni, Ercolano, Brentan, Siatounis, Saio. Coach: Cottafava.
MILAN (4-3-1-2): Soncin; Barazzetta (90' Borges), Merletti, Potop, Stanga (69' Oddi); Frigerio (69' Sala), Brescianini, Mionić; Olzer (56' Haidara); Capanni (56' Tonin), Pecorino. Substitutes: Jungdal, Moleri; Negri, Tahar; Brambilla, Michelis; Capone. Coach: Giunti
Referee: Emmanuele di Pisa
Goals: 26' Merletti (M), 47' Amado (S), 80' Prelec (S), 94' Pecorino (M).
Cautions: 9' Casanova (S), 35' Stanga (M), 77' Sala (M), 96' (ET) Merletti (M), 97' (ET) Potop (M).
Red cards: 88' Yayi Mpie (S)
Penalty shootout: Pompetti (S) goal, Sala (M) goal, Sabattini (S) goal, Brescianini (M) goal, Giordano (S) saved, Haidara (M) goal, Bahlouli (S) saved, Merletti (M) goal.
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