THE PRIMAVERA TEAM RUN RIOT WINNING 5‑1 AGAINST CESENA
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The AC Milan Primavera team got their first win of the season with a convincing 5-1 demolition of Cesena at PUMA House of Football - Vismara Sports Centre. After undeservedly suffering two defeats in their opening two games of the season, Abate's boys were determined to put their disappointment behind them and put things right. They came out of the blocks flying and recorded the fastest-ever goal in Primavera 1 history. The lively El Hilali got his first of two goals in the first half but a penalty on the stroke of half-time through Bernardi for Cesena brought the away side back into it. But the hosts didn't let up and continued their dominant display after the break.
There was joy and relief at the final whistle for an excellent team display, capped off by Marshage and Longhi's first goals in a Rossoneri shirt. Coach Abate's AC Milan get their first three points on the board with a clinical and determined performance, characterised by some dazzling forward play and an all-round dominant team performance. They now turn their attentions to a trip to Fiorentina on Friday at 17:00 CEST, as the games come thick and fast in this early part of the season.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v CESENA
MATCH REPORT
AC Milan flew out of the traps and were ahead within eight seconds: El Hilali immediately won possession after kick-off and played a ball through to an onrushing Omoregbe who entered the area and smashed a shot against the post, which rebounded out and hit Elefante to bounce into the net. Soon after, the home side looked dangerous again with Bakoune trying his luck from distance with Pollini saving. Then, Lilli blocked a sure goal off the line for the away side on eight minutes after a corner, before the Bianconeri got their first attack two minutes later with Lupi's strike saved by Nava before Amadori's shot was blocked by Coubis. On 15 minutes, Omoregbe was stopped by a sliding tackle from Lepri with the resulting ball being picked up by Cesena's Sette who played in Amadori but his shot was weak and fell into the arms of Nava. On 29 minutes, AC Milan's lead was doubled through El Hilali's cool finish after a perfectly placed assist from Zeroli. Nava was again called into the action after 30 minutes from Carlini's attempt and Bernardi's follow-up shot from just a few yards out was put wide. The away side's pressure though soon counted as Nava fouled Bernardi in the box and conceded a penalty, and it was he who tucked it away from the spot after 37 minutes to reduce the deficit. AC Milan ended the half strongly with El Hilali sending a shot over on 39 minutes and again it was he who foubnd space but could only hit the side-netting.
The second half started as the first as the Rossoneri dominated. El Hilali on 50 minutes once again broke through the Romagna side's defence and made a delicious lob over Pollini to grab his second of the match and his second consecutive double at Vismara. Despite the two-goal advantage, Abate's boys didn't hold back and searched for further goals. On the 58th minute mark, Bakoune crossed for Marshage whose header flew into the net to make it 4-1. El Hilali came close to his hat-trick after 60 minutes but Pollini saved his thunderbolt well. Cesena had a rare attack on 71 minutes but Liburdi shot wide after an error by Nava. This fired the home side back into action and on 81 minutes Longhi intercepted a pass from the opponent's defence, went round Pollini and slotted home to make it 5-1. Longhi again went close to his second soon after but wasted his chance. Five minutes of injury time passed without any action and the Rossoneri bagged all three points at the final whistle.
MISTER ABATE'S THOUGHTS
"I'm pleased for the lads. We approached the game in the right way although we did have a 25 minute period where we dropped off and didn't play with courage. Feeling a bit of pressure after having two early defeats in the campaign can happen. But we got on the ball and controlled possession, found our rhythm and finished off well our plays. It was a shame to concede, we were organised and defended as a group but with a bit of sloppiness at times. Clearly, we need to improve but this win will give us some confidence. We're on the right track".
KEVIN ZEROLI'S THOUGHTS
"We played really well, but in some moments of the game we lost our distances and played at a too slow tempo. We need to improve during this coming week's training. We are very happy to get these first three points on the board, we've been waiting for them eagerly. We've learnt from the first two games, now we need to keep it going".
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 5-1 CESENA
MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Paloschi, Bartesaghi; Gala (67' Foglio), Marshage, Zeroli (71' Pluvio); Omeregbe (67' Björklund), El Hilali (67' Longhi); Cuenca (74'G. Rossi). Subs: Pseftis, Bozzolan, Nsiala, Alesi, L.Rossi, Eletu, Andrews. Coach: Abate.
CESENA (4-3-3): Pollini; Pieraccini (67' Sartini), Lepri, Elefante, David; Francesconi, Lilli (60' Suliani), Carlini (67' Ghinelli); Sette, Amadori (71' Guidi), Bernardi (67' Liburdi). Subs: Galassi, Penchini, Ferretti, Casadei, Rossi, Onofri, Giovannini. Coach: Ceccarelli.
Referee: Francesco Burlando from Genova
Goals: 1' og Elefante (M); 29' El Hilali (M); 39' pen. Bernardi (C); 50' El Hilali (M); 57' Marshage (M); 81' Longhi (M)
Bookings: 37' Nava (M), 62' Lepri (C), 76' Foglio (M).
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