PRIMAVERA DEFEATED BY ROMA 4-1

It was always going to be a tough ask for the young Rossoneri side against one of the strongest teams in Primavera 1, and finalists from last season's cometition, Roma, who now go joint top of the league (on the same points with Juventus with matchday nine still to be completed). It showed on the field of play with AC Milan losing 4-1 at PUMA House of Football. The game was never in doubt and the contest over once the third Roman goal went in early in the second half. Omoregbe's goal was little consolation for the home side, with the Giallorossi goals coming through Cassano, Pisilli, Pagano's penality and D'Alessio.

The win was well-deserved by Roma, succumbing the Rossoneri to a second consecutive home league loss. They must take the defeat on the chin and come back fighting with desire and determination to put things right, without losing confidence and togetherness after a poor result and a low-key performance. The Diavolo remain in mid-table, with twelve points, and now turn their attentions to the Youth League, with a trip to Zagreb to face Dinamo on Tuesday at 14:00 CEST, where they could potentially seal qualification.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v ROMA

MATCH REPORT

Roma set off quickly and took the lead after 7 minutes: from a corner, after a dangerous piece of play prior, the ball fell to Cassano, in a goal mouth mix-up, who put it past Nava. Despite finding themselves on the back foot, AC Milan tried to get forward and on 13 minutes Traorè fired over; ten minutes later, Chaka put an inviting ball into the box but it failed to find anyone. Pagano tried his luck as well on the volley but it went over the bar. On the half-hour mark, Roma goalkeeper Baldi was also called into the action to keep the scores level, keeping out a chance for Alesi, and then a few minutes later blocking Marshage's attempt. And just as the Rossoneri were coming back into it, Roma doubled their lead on the 33rd-minute mark thanks to a stunning move: Pisilli nutmegged his man, drove forward, received a back-heel assist from Satriano and fired home a low drive into the bottom corner. After 35 minutes, Chesti went close with a flicked header before another home reaction was triggered: Gala's attempt, after 36 minutes, was blocked and two minutes later Traoré's shot went just wide.

The second half started off in dubious fashion with a penalty-kick given, after a foul by Traorè in the corner of the area on Pagano: up stepped Missori but his strike came back of the face of the post. The Giallorossi were on top, though, and pushed forward looking to extend their lead: five minutes after the break, Keramitsis's attempt went just over the target, and then another penalty was awarded two minutes later, after Paloschi brought down Cassano. This time it was Pagano who took the responsibility and he made no mistake slotting home to make it 3-0. AC Milan made several changes (from Cuenca to Stalmach) but it was all a little too late to turn the tide, with the match gradually losing its tempo. Oliveras Codina had an innocuous attempt from distance but nothing of note happened until the 87th minute, as the Diavolo reduced the deficit: a cross by Bakoune found Omoregbe who grabbed a consolation. Deep into stoppage-time, the visitors found a fourth with D'Alessio deflecting in for an own goal. The final whistle blew, it ended 4-1.

ROSSONERI POST-MATCH COMMENTS

Coach Abate: "We played really well in the first half, I liked what we did but we somehow found ourselves undeservedly 2-0 down at the break. We came back out and gave away two penalties in quick succession, this can kill off any team, and despite not creating a lot, we fought to stay in the game. It's a shame we've been beaten 4-1, it's a result that on paper looke like one-way traffic and dominance from them, but it wasn't like that at all. Roma are a strong side, probably better than anyone else, but we put our hearts into it, and quality, without losing our heads. We look ahead and now focus on the Youth League."

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1- 4 ROMA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Paloschi, Bozzolan; Gala (54' Cuenca), Marshage (69' Stalmach), Zeroli; Traorè (56' Longhi), Mangiameli (69' Eletu), Alesi (69' Omoregbe). Unused Subs: Pseftis, Torriani; Bartesaghi, Casali; Nsiala, Simić; Pluvio. Coach: Abate.

ROMA (4-3-3): Baldi; Missori (73' Louakima), Keramitsis, Chesti, Oliveras Codina (73' Falasca); Pisilli (61' D'Alessio), Faticanti, Pagano (84' Foubert); Cassano, Satriano (84' Majchrzak), Cherubini. Unused Subs: Del Bello, Razumejevs; Pellegrini; Graziani, Vetkal; Costa, Koffi, Padula. Coach: Guidi.

Referee: Fiero from Pistoia.
Goals: 7' Cassano (R), 33' Pisilli (R), 53' pen. Pagano (R), 87' Omoregbe (M), 93' D'Alessio (R).
Bookings: 28' Pisilli (R), 37' Marshage (M), 58' Bozzolan (M).

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