PRIMAVERA LOSE IN SPAIN: 3‑0 TO ATLÉTICO
Youth Teams
AC Milan Primavera’s last away trip of the season in Europe finished in defeat, with Atlético Madrid running out 3-0 winners on home turf. Following Liverpool’s victory over Porto, elimination from the UEFA Youth League had already been confirmed prior to kick-off. It was a harsh scoreline for the Rossoneri, who conceded via two penalties (Curras and Javi Serrano scored form the spot) before Aitor Gismera’s goal in added time.
The result is a setback following the excellent win against Juventus last Friday, even if the Rossoneri played in an organised fashion and, apart from when the hosts scored, didn’t give many opportunities away at all. Nevertheless, there was minimal attacking threat from Coach Giunti’s side, whose European campaign will finish against Liverpool at Vismara. However, before that game, there will be plenty of chances for the Diavolo to get back on their feet, starting on Sunday, when they’ll take on Cagliari away from home on matchday ten in the Primavera 1 division.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM ATLÉTICO MADRID V AC MILAN
REPORT
Coach Giunti made a few changes to the team that started in the win against Juve, with Pseftis returning between the sticks, Gala lining up in midfield and Rossi selected in an attacking trident up front. The match started in lively fashion as Pseftis did well to keep out Boñar’s header in the second minute. Then, with eight minutes on the clock, Rossi couldn’t quite connect with Capone’s dangerous cross. After these two opportunities, the home side controlled possession until the incident that led to the opening goal after 21 minutes, with Curras converting from twelve yards out after Pseftis had been penalised for a foul on Martín. The Rossoneri looked to respond and could have levelled in the 35th minute: Capone laid the ball off for Nsiala, whose shot from inside the box unfortunately lacked power.
There wasn’t a lot of goalmouth action once the second half kicked off, with Giunti trying to shake things up by making a number of changes. With 15 minutes to go, the Rossoneri had three chances in the space of 60 seconds. First Capone was beaten to the ball after El Hilali’s shot had been blocked; then, Gomis kept out two powerful long-range efforts from Andrea and Youns. A few minutes later, Atlético killed off the game: Martín was once again fouled in the box - this time by Di Gesù - and Javi Serrano stepped up to score. In added time, Aitor Gismera netted the Spanish side’s third, with Capone missing out on a consolation goal in the 93rd minute.
QUOTES
"We were in the game for the first 20 minutes, during which they put the pressure on without creating a lot," said Coach Giunti after the game. "There’s a bitter taste in the mouth due to the incidents that took place. I don’t want to look for excuses on behalf of the lads, but decisions were perhaps made a bit too hastily. These are experiences that should serve us well. I think that we’ll certainly honour the final game: we produced a great performance in the reverse fixture and want to finish on a high. Now, we’ll focus on the league and look to push on."
MATCH SUMMARY
ATLÉTICO MADRID 3-0 AC MILAN
ATLÉTICO MADRID (4-3-3): Gomis; Diez (85' Kostis), Boñar, Camara, Navarro; Barrios, Javi Serrano (85' Gomez), Curras (65' Aitor Gismera); El Jebari (78' Diaz), Martín, Corral (46' Vilan). Subs.: Stamakis; Ricoy. Coach: Ortega García.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Pseftis; Coubis (83' Bozzolan), Obaretin, Nsiala, Kerkez; Di Gesù, Bright (46' Eletu), Gala (60' Alesi); Traorè (60' El Hilali), Rossi (60' Nasti), Capone. Subs.: Nava; Stanga. Coach: Giunti.
Referee: Alexandre Boucaut (Belgium).
Goals: 22' pen. Curras (A), 81' pen. Javi Serrano (A), 91' Aitor Gismera.
Booked: 59' Javi Serrano (A), 77' Nasti (M).
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