THE PRIMAVERA BEAT UDINESE 3‑2 THROUGH TRAORÈ'S HAT‑TRICK
Youth Teams
AC Milan breathed a sigh of relief as a goal in stoppage-time gave them three vital points on matchday 8 in Primavera 1. Coach Abate's lads overcame Udinese through Chaka Traorè's hat-trick and got back to winning ways after the defeat to Empoli last time out, moving to twelve points in the table. It was a convincing performance by the Ivorian striker, who showed his technical qualities and hunger, and who continues to go from strength to strength.
Despite the bright start, culminating in taking the lead early on, the Rossoneri had to contend with a home side that fought back well, making them to struggle to break through the side from Friuli's defensive pressure. Nava was excellent on the day and kept his side in the game several times, while the forwards and midfielders showed their clinical side in taking their chances created. Next week, the side faces two home games at PUMA House of Football: first, there's the Coppa Italia game against Spezia on Wednesday, and Roma are the visitors on Saturday in the league.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM UDINESE V AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Abate made a few changes with absentees El Hilali and Lazetić being replaced with Traorè and Mangiameli; the rest of the starting eleven was the one that faced Chelsea midweek, with Coubis returning in defence instead of Simić. For Udinese, Pafundi started - the first-ever 2006-born player to make his debut in Serie A. AC Milan set off like a house on fire and were one up inside five minutes: from Alesi's assist, Mangiameli's header was saved well by the feet of Di Bartolo but he could do nothing to stop Traorè's follow-up. The Rossoneri's lead shook the home side up as they looked for an equaliser. After twelve minutes, Pafundi's low shot went just past the left-hand post and ten minutes later, Pejičić's shot at the near post was put behind for a corner by Nava. But the Bianconeri's pressure beared fruit on the half-hour mark as Semedo tapped-in from close range after Pafundi's assist. It didn't worry the Rossoneri though and they were back ahead after 37 minutes: Zeroli played in Traorè, who turned away from his man, and launched an unstoppable strike that flew in at the far post.
The start of the second half saw Udinese on top early with Semedo going close with a header from a corner. A minute later, Pafundi had a fierce shot from the edge of the box, but Nava was up to it and pushed the ball away. But he was unable to stop the Bianconeri's number 10 after 50 minutes, who struck home a free-kick from outside the 18-yard box. The Friulani were hungry for more and called Nava into action again with a double save, first from Semedo and then Basha. Abate made a triple change but it didn't have the desired effect and the tempo of the game dropped until injury-time, when out of the blue Di Bartolo mis-controlled a simple backpass and Traorè rushed into the box to stroke home into an empty net to grab his hat-trick. At the final whistle, it was AC Milan who won 3-2.
ABATE AND TRAORÈ'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
Ignazio Abate: "A thrilling game, the lads were always in the game but we complicated it through no fault but our own. It's the second time we've won in the 90th minute and it's not by chance. But we've finally won a scrappy game, this shows we have a lot of heart and spirit in the group. We're on the right road. Now, we park it and look head to the Coppa Italia."
Chaka Traorè : "It was a tough game but we played with the right spirit and concentration. I'm pleased with the three goals but it's all down to my teammates. We're improving our levels and team spirit just as the Head Coach wants us to."
MATCH DETAILS
UDINESE 2-3 AC MILAN
UDINESE (4-2-3-1): Di Bartolo; Abdalla, Abankwah, Guessand, Iob (74' Cocetta); Castagnaviz (84' De Crescenzo), Centis; Basha, Pafundi, Pejicic; Semedo. Subs: Bassi, Porzio; Di Lazzaro, Acetta; Nwachukwu, Russo, Nuredini; Armani, Caiazzo. Coach: Sturm.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Paloschi (59' Simić), Bartesaghi (66' Bozzolan); Gala (86' Eletu), Marshage, Zeroli; Alesi (59' Cuenca), Mangiameli (59' Longhi), Traorè. Subs: Pseftis, Torriani; Nsiala; Pluvio, Stalmach; Casali, Omoregbe. Coach: Abate.
Referee: Monaldi di Macerata.
Goals: 4' Traorè (M), 30' Semedo (U), 37' Traorè (M), 50' Pafundi (U), 90+4' Traorè (M).
Bookings: 32' Abdalla (U), 41' Coubis (M). 49' Traorè (M), 69' Marshage (M), 76' Pafundi (U).
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