INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY FOR THE PRIMAVERA

It was a friendly on paper but on the pitch it was a real game played with passion by both teams. It took place at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium on Friday 19 December, and it was a friendly between the U19 teams of two highly prestigious teams; Manchester United and AC Milan, with the hosts running out 3-0 winners. The scoreline reflected harshly on Coach Giunti’s side, who were able to face up to their opponents with right levels of intensity and concentration. The Red Devils and the Rossoneri gave the watching crowd a real spectacle to enjoy. The loss aside, the friendly with Manchester United was a taste of international football at a high level for the Rossoneri, who acquitted themselves well. 

MATCH REPORT

Coach Giunti chose to let almost everyone take part in the game and sent out this starting eleven: Soncin; Stanga, Merletti, Tahar, Negri; Haidara, Frigerio, Mionic; Maldini; Olzer, Tonin. United were the stronger team for the opening half an hour but it was Milan who had the best chances through Daniel Maldini, who first hit the crossbar and then had a shot cleared off the line. The Red Devils took the lead in the 34^th minute as Mellor finished off a low ball crossed in from the left. The Rossoneri looked to equalise and Mionic drew a good save from Kovar. In the second half Pecorino also hit the crossbar as he went for a spectacular overhead-kick. The hosts found the back of the net again in the closing moments of the game: Gomes netted in the 90^th minute and Chong converted a penalty in the 94^th.  

MATCH SUMMARY

MANCHESTER UNITED 3-0 AC MILAN

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): Kovar; Dalot (73' Bejger), Mengi, Bernard, Laird; Galbraith, Gomes, Puigmal (72' Helm); Chong, Mellor (83' McCann), Traoré. Subs: Hockenhull, Mastny, Neville, Taylor. Coach: Wood.

AC MILAN (4-3-1-2): Soncin (30' Jungdal) (75' Moleri); Stanga (71' Barazzetta), Merletti (71' Potop), Tahar (70' Michelis), Negri (46' Oddi); Haidara, Frigerio, Mionic; Olzer (46' Brambilla), Maldini, Tonin (71' Pecorino). Subs: Capone, Sala. Coach: Giunti.

Referee: Lewis Smith.
Goals: 34' Mellor (MU), 90' Gomes (MU), 94' Chong pen. (MU).

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