N'GBESSO SCORES DEBUT GOAL AS AC MILAN PRIMAVERA BEAT CAGLIARI
Youth Teams
A hugely important victory. AC Milan Primavera returned to winning ways today, beating Cagliari 1-0 following a three-game winless run (D2, L1). It’s a result which sees the Rossoneri move above the Sardinians, with Coach Giunti’s side now having collected 23 points from 16 matches. The decisive goal arrived 19 minutes into the second half and was scored by Henoc N'Gbesso, who had entered the fray four minutes earlier to make his Primavera debut. Despite various absences, the Diavolo produced a professional and courageous display. They also had to dig in for large spells of the first half but were then excellent after the restart. The youngest members of the squad – those born in 2003 – also took centre stage, with Coubis, El Hilali and N'Gbesso all involved in the move which won the match. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Emil Roback had a goal chalked off with 25 minutes on the clock. In the opening period, Andreas Jungdal was a vital figure, making two fine stops to keep the score at 0-0. It’s now time for the international break, after which two big matches will be played: the Rossoneri will first face Atalanta in Zingonia on 3 April, while a home clash against Juventus will then follow a week later. The Diavolo now need to keep pushing forward.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V CAGLIARI
REPORT
Cagliari began the match well and forced Jungdal into action on two occasions in the opening 15 minutes, first through Tramoni (4’) and then through Contini (14’). AC Milan started to raise the tempo and could have scored the opener in the 17th minute, when both El Hilali and Frigerio threatened the opposition goal. After 25 minutes, Roback headed home Oddi’s cross, but the referee disallowed it following a foul by El Hilali. Just before the half-time whistle, Delpup’s foray forward didn’t amount to anything as he fired wide for the away side.
The Rossoneri were better after the restart, with N'Gbesso really shaking things up after coming on in the 60th minute. Just four minutes after his introduction, the 17-year-old marked his debut with a goal: El Hilali escaped down the right and played in a low ball for Henoc, who then supplied the finish. The Sardinians were lacking bite, and AC Milan came close to doubling their advantage a few times on the counter. First, N’Gbesso’s right-footed effort was deflected behind for a corner; then Robotti and Saco failed to find the net following good work by Frigerio. With 92 minutes on the clock, N'Gbesso attempted to lob Ciocci but hit the underside of the bar. It didn’t matter, however, as the Rossoneri ran out 1-0 winners.
MATCH SUMMARY
AC MILAN 1-0 CAGLIARI
AC MILAN (4-3-1-2): Jungdal; Coubis, Michelis, Obaretin, Oddi; Frigerio, Brambilla, Mionić (60' Di Gesù); El Hilali (75' Saco); Nasti (46' Robotti), Roback (60' N'Gbesso). Substitutes: Moleri, Pseftis; Cretti, Filì, Tahar; Tolomello. Coach: Giunti.
CAGLIARI (4-4-2): Ciocci; Boccia, Palomba (80' Zallu), Cusumano (86' Iovu), Michelotti; Tramoni (68' Kouda), Kourfalidis, Conti, Desogus (68' Cavuoti); Delpupo, Contini. Substitutes: D'Aniello; Piga, Sulis; Schirru; Sangowski. Coach: Agostini.
Referee: Carella from Bari
Goal: 64' N'Gbesso (M).
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