A GOOD DRAW FOR THE PRIMAVERA: 2‑2 AGAINST ROMA
Youth Teams
AC Milan Primavera picked up their second draw of the season this morning, the first at home after their opening day draw. But if the Rossoneri had reason to complain about the late equaliser in Sassuolo to make it 1-1, they will be pleased with earning a 2-2 draw at Vismara against Roma. An exciting game, and a spectacular first half in which the entire match played out. Giunti's boys put on an impressive display of character and responded to every blow that the current league leaders, the Giallorossi, threw their way. Many opportunities were created, with plenty of good play and excellent offensive production, although somewhat less positive was the defensive display, particularly with the manner of the goals conceded.
Di Gesù and Capone responded to the goals of Afena-Gyan and Oliveras to salvage a precious point to get going again after the two losses against Torino and Liverpool (Youth League). The road to success was within reach and came down to a matter of detail. After matchday three, the Diavolo rise to two points in the standings. Even if the victory is still missing, which would be important for morale, the team can walk away from a difficult test with their heads held high. Another tough test now lies on the horizon: Next weekend, Saturday 25 September at 11:00 CEST, the team will play an away match in Bergamo against Atalanta.
EXPLORE: THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v ROMA
MATCH REPORT
It was an uphill start, as Roma unlocked the game after just five minutes: Good play by Satriano freed Afena-Gyan in the wide-open AC Milan half, the Ghanaian managed to get past Desplanches and stick it into the corner of the net. AC Milan reacted brilliantly: Capone kicked a shot over in the 7th minute and was off-target again in the 9th minute before Rossi was met by the onrushing goalkeeper in the 12th minute. The equaliser came in the 13th minute, a piece of brilliance from Di Gesù who kicked a left-footed shot from the edge of the area into the top corner. There was barely any time for applause when the Giallorossi went back in front in the 14th minute thanks to Oliveras, who did well to slip away into the box and then stick it in the net. The Rossoneri wouldn’t give up, Mastrantonio denied Rossi again in the 16th minutes and Capone in the 17th. Andrea then drew the Rossoneri level in the 24th minute: Morichelli's foul on Traoré was awarded as a penalty, which captain Coubis converted from the spot. Mastrantonio was often called into question, having to deny Alesi with a double save on the half-hour mark. The teams lowered the tempo towards the end of the half.
No changes were made at the start of the second half, which opened with an unleashed Afena-Gyan: In the 48th minute, his effort was dealt with by Desplanches, and in the 62nd minute he hit his header inches wide. After the early scares, the Diavolo looked to the bench for substitutions and Amore, who came so close to a goal after being on the pitch for just a few seconds, his effort hitting the crossbar. Afena-Gyan and Cassano tried their luck for the opponents but failed to score. Fatigue fell on the teams but the game remains a good one. A final crescendo for our boys saw Amore stopped by Mastrantonio in the 72nd minute, Rossi miss a tap-in in the 79th minute, and another shot from the latter being saved in the 82nd minute. Amore was always the most dangerous, even in injury time when his left-footed (deflected) shot skimmed the far post. Final whistle.
MATCH FACTS
AC MILAN 2-2 ROMA
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Desplanches; Coubis, Bosisio, Stanga, Bozzolan (87' Kerkez); Di Gesù, Tolomello (66' Bright), Alesi; Traoré (66' Amore), Rossi (87' Roback), Capone (81' Obaretin). Unused subs: Nava, Pseftis; Polenghi, Sette; Björklund, Foglio. Coach: Giunti.
ROMA (3-5-2): Mastrantonio; Ndiaye, Morichelli, Feratovič (71' Di Bartolo); Missori, Volpato (57' Cassano), Faticanti (88' Dicorato), Tahirović, Oliveras (71' Rocchetti); Satriano (57' Voelkerling), Afena-Gyan. Unused subs: Baldi, Berti; Louakima, Zajšek; Verrengia, Vetkal; Ngingi Mavlyutova. Coach: De Rossi.
Referee: Pirrotta di Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto.
Goalscorers: 5' Afena-Gyan (R), 13' Di Gesù (M), 14' Oliveras (R), 24' rpen. Capone (M).
Bookings: 23' Morichelli (R), 32' Tolomello (M), 43' Stanga (M), 53' Rossi (M), 80' Bozzolan (M).
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