ROMA PUNISH AC MILAN, PRIMAVERA BEATEN
Youth Teams
The four-game winning streak came to an end today for AC Milan's Primavera team, beaten (1-2) at home by the league leaders Roma. A negative verdict that leaves some regrets. This is of course because the Giallorossi are dominating the championship and have further solidified their lead, that said, this lead also seemed vulnerable in a fairly dull encounter this afternoon. There was room for more in terms of the spoils, for more in attack as well as in defence in particular from the goal that gave the Giallorossi the win. Faticanti opened the scoring and then Padula set up the provisional equaliser by talisman Nasti, his twelfth goal of the season, yet it was in vain.
The young Rossoneri were up to the task, often playing on a par and in some cases even better than their opponents, particularly in the first half-hour. The difference was in the detail, in the dying minutes and in that bit of excellence. Matchday 20 doesn't bring home any points, the Diavolo remain stationary on 30 points, still knocking on the door of the playoff zone. This next week will be useful to work and bounce back, without losing the momentum gained in recent weeks. The clash with Atalanta on Sunday 27 February, 10:45 at Vismara, will be the opportunity to show how what happened in the capital was just a hiccup.
SEE THE GALLERY FROM ROMA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
With the reduced rotation of a few players in the 4-3-3, the novelty of the formation was Nsiala's spot in the starting line-up. Roma tried to take the bite out of the game at the start, but AC Milan imposed their own game and created the only chances of the first half-hour: in the seventh minute Capone's shot from the edge of the box was somehow parried by Baldi, and in the 14th minute Robotti's low shot (assisted by Traorè) was saved by the keeper's feet. Shortly after Robotti tried again from the right. Capone had space and managed to have several attempts on goal from his flank, like when he called Baldi into action again. Things were looking good, but suddenly the Giallorossi took the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to a magical move by Faticanti, who came forward, weaving through the defenders before placing it in the top corner from the edge of the box. Desplanches could do nothing and stayed alert, denying Voelkerling in the 38th minute. Half Time.
Desplanches' gloves were back in action to open the second half when they denied Tahirovic's strike. Then, in the 51st minute, the Rossoneri equalised: Traorè with the ball to Baldi who provided Nasti, who is not one to miss the easy tap-in and this time was no exception. The adrenaline rush pushed the Rossoneri on: in the 62nd minute, Capone shot tamely from distance, then 68 minutes in, Nasti's volley was cleared by the defence. The pace remained high, in a very open game: 75 minutes in, Padula's header from a corner went just wide and in the 78th minute, Coubis' gentle freekick was met by El Hilali who failed to find the back of the net. The Diavolo tired, the hosts noticed and took full advantage of it in the 84th minute, scoring the second and decisive goal with the left-footed shot of Padula to surprise Desplanches. AC Milan's reaction was restrained and disorganised, in the dying minutes the most threatening chance came from Pagano. Full Time.
ROMA 2-1 AC MILAN
ROMA (3-4-1-2): Baldi; Ndiaye, Morichelli, Vicario (68' Di Bartolo); Louakima, Faticanti, Tripi, Rocchetti; Tahirovic (62' Cassano); Voelkerling (71' Padula), Satriano (63' Pagano). Subs: Berti, Del Bello; Chesti, D'Alessio, Falasca, Zajšek; Pisilli, Verrengia. Coach: De Rossi.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Desplanches; Coubis, Stanga, Nsiala, Bozzolan (76' Obaretin); Robotti (86' Alesi), Tolomello (52' Di Gesù), Gala; Traorè (76'st El Hilali), Nasti, Capone (76' Omoregbe). Subs: Nava, Pseftis; Bosisio, Camara; Eletu; Roback, Rossi. Coach: Giunti.
Referee: Arena di Torre del Greco.
Goals: 33' Faticanti (R), 51' Nasti (M), 84' Padula (R).
Bookings: 55' Tahirovic (R), 77' Faticanti (R), 81' Nsiala (M), 91' Di Bartolo (R).
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