PRIMAVERA FALL TO UNLUCKY DEFEAT

AC Milan Primavera, who didn’t do a lot wrong in Bogliasco, simply didn’t get the rub of the green today. On matchday eleven, the Rossoneri fell to an undeserved 1-0 defeat away to Sampdoria following Yayi Mpie’s 77th-minute goal. It was a match where the key moments didn’t go the Diavolo’s way, with the team being reduced to ten men in the second half after a straight red card for Cretti. A very similar situation in the first half following a Sampdoria foul didn’t result in a sending-off, however. Despite being a man down and never having to deal with any real pressure from the home side, AC Milan conceded the decisive goal.

Nevertheless, this was an encouraging performance from the Rossoneri, who showed a reaction to the Derby defeat. The Diavolo remain in tenth place on 15 points ahead of their next league fixture, which will see them face Ascoli at 11:00 CET on Saturday 27 February at Vismara.

MATCH REPORT
Absentees meant a three-man defence for the Rossoneri on Sunday, with Grassi and Kerkez both receiving starting debuts in the league. El Hilali and Nasti also started up top and threatened the opposition early on. The first chance fell to the former in the third minute, as he failed to beat Saio in a one-on-one. It was then the latter who was brought down by Angileri in the 11th minute, but the referee waved away the Rossoneri's protests. Overall, it was a match with few highlights; however, the opportunities that did arise were mostly for the Rossoneri, an example being Olzer’s attempt in the 32nd minute that narrowly missed the target. Sampdoria responded through Di Stefano, who fired over soon after, while Siatounis also tried his luck with a header off a corner. 

Half-time saw a change for the visitors, as Grassi made way for Cretti. Milan’s first real threat in the second half fell to El Hilali, who forced a double save from Saio in the 70th minute. A turning point then arose in the 71st minute, as Cretti was sent off for a foul. The Blucerchiati made the most of their numerical advantage by breaking the deadlock in the 77th minute, Yayi Mpie with the strike. As the game petered out, Milan continued to search for a goal. Tonin enjoyed the best chance in the 84th minute but was unable to hit the target. AC Milan had a few penalty shouts late on, but the referee wasn't interested. The full-time whistle was eventually blown.

MATCH DETAILS

SAMPDORIA 1-0 AC MILAN 

SAMPDORIA (3-5-2): Saio; Aquino (68' Gaggero), Angileri, Obert; Ercolano (64' Somma), Brentan (88' Sepe), Yepes Laut, Siatounis, Giordano; Prelec, Di Stefano (64' Yayi Mpie). Substitutes: Zovko; Hermansen, Napoli; Francofonte, Paoletti, Pedicillo; Krawczyk, Marrale. Coach: Tufano.

AC MILAN (3-4-3): Moleri; Grassi (46' Cretti), Michelis, Obaretin; Bright, Frigerio, Mionić (80' Di Gesù), Kerkez; Olzer (91' Robotti), Nasti (80' Tonin), El Hilali (80' Roback). Substitutes: Desplanches, Pseftis; Filì, Oddi, Pobi; Brambilla, Saco. Coach: Giunti.

Referee: Di Cairano from Ariano Irpino.
Goal: 77' Yayi Mpie (S).
Bookings: 52' Siatounis (S), 94' Di Gesù (M).
Sent off: 71' Cretti (M), 85' Gregori (M) [Assistant Coach].

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