PRIMAVERA UNABLE TO HOLD ON: 1-1 AT COBHAM AGAINST CHELSEA

Milan Primavera's trip to Britain has ended in a draw as Chelsea came back from behind on Matchday 3 in Group E of the UEFA Youth League. At the Training Centre in Cobham, Simić's opener was cancelled out by Castledine's second-half reply to end the tie 1-1, that leaves Abate's side with five points, joint top of the group with FC Salzburg, ahead of Dinamo Zagreb with three points and Chelsea, two. The Rossoneri do have a better goal difference though at the halfway stage of the group with an encouraging outlook ahead. 

The Rossoneri confirmed their recent good performances and put on a positive display against a top-quality side. After a great start, awarded with taking the lead, AC Milan were then pegged back by the Blues, before finishing the game strongly -  after Chelsea had found the equaliser - with Longhi coming mightily close to doubling the lead hitting the bar. But there is no time to rest in a non-stop October: Saturday morning at 11:00 CEST, the lads will be back in action at PUMA House of Football, where they will play Empoli in a Primavera 1 league fixture.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM CHELSEA v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
With Gala and capitan Coubis out, Marshage and Simić came in. The Rossoneri started the game with the right attitude and took the lead after 10 minutes with the Serbian defender reacting quickest to Curd's block, after Traorè's free-kick. The goal allowed Abate's side to control the rhythm and tempo of the game, which was set high, with Chelsea finally getting out of their half and knocking on the Rossoneri's door after 29 minutes: a great diagonal ball fell to Dyer but Simić did well to stop him from shooting at goal. Nava made a fine save on 34 minutes from Soonsup-Bell, after pressing and winning the ball off Marshage. The Rossoneri came close to doubling their lead through Zeroli on the 36th-minute mark who spun and shot from Traorè's cross. The last piece of action of the half came to the home side  with McMahon hitting the post just before half-time.

The start of the second half saw Chelsea dominating possession early on. AC Milan's defending was compact and well-organised, with McMahon's left-footed strike after 56 minutes the only real chance in the first 20 minutes. But that soon changed as the Blues found the equaliser after 65 minutes: Sturge's cross found Castledine who beat Nava from a few yards out. The goal shook Abate's side up, who reacted immediately as they looked to regain the lead. After 67 minutes, substitute Longhi turned and shot but Curd was positioned well, gathering the ball at the second attempt. It was Longhi again after 71 minutes, but his bicycle kick came back off the bar. El Hilali was next to get a chance, after a fine ball through from debutant Stalmach, but his wicked right-footed shot was well-saved by Curd after 77 minutes. The away side again came close through Alesi after 86 minutes, but his left-footed strike from the edge of the area just whisked past the post. In the dying seconds, the home side had the last chance of the game with George missing the target from inside the 6-yard box, leaving the final result 1-1.

POST-MATCH COMMENTS
"We played really well, I hope this performance shows us that we can compete and perform at a certain level," Head Coach Ignazio Abate said. "We were always in the game and tried to play the way we want. We suffered at certain moments down to their quality, but we were well-organised defensively and for large parts played the game we set out to do. We leave with a good point, our progress made recently continues. I'm pleased for the debutants, they are all lads who deserve it because they work hard, work seriously and stay grounded. I will continue to give them all a chance and I'll help them in their development: I'm really happy with the work and attitude of the whole group. Now, we look to Empoli, which will be another test and we'll have to be ready."

"Getting my first goal is an incredible feeling, especially against a side like Chelsea," goalscorer and defender Jan-Carlo Simić said after the game. "We played well but we want to do even better next week becasue we want the three points. The difference in quality between our league and the Youth League isn't that different, what is different is the experience of having a long trip with the group. It's really great experience, we're happy to be part of it: it's something that's gonna help us grow and develop, that's why we're here playing football."  

MATCH DETAILS

CHELSEA 1-1 AC MILAN

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Curd; Acheampong, Hughes, Akomeah, Sturge; Dyer, Tauriainen, McMahon (63' Silcott-Duberry); Mendel-Idowu (82' George), Soonsup-Bell (78' Runham), Castledine. Subs: Merrick; Boniface, Murray-Campbell; Golding. Coach: Brand.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Simić, Paloschi, Bartesaghi; Eletu (61' Pluvio), Marshage, Zeroli (68' Stalmach); Traorè (68' Alesi), Mangiameli (61' Longhi), El Hilali (92' Parmiggiani). Subs: Torriani; Bozzolan. Coach: Abate.

Referee: Cesar Soto Grado (Spain).
Goals: 10' Simić (M), 65' Castledine (C).
Booked: 71' Stalmach (M), 72' Alesi (M). 

Tickets are available for AC Milan v Chelsea and AC Milan v Monza: see you at San Siro!