PRIMAVERA DEFEATED IN VERCELLI: 2‑0 TO TORINO
Youth Teams
A second league defeat in a row for AC Milan Primavera, losing 2-0 to a Torino side who were more clinical in converting their chances. The first half was much more eventful than the second: in addition to the two goals scored by Dell'Aquila and Weidmann, there was a penalty saved by Lapo Nava against the opposition's forward Jürgens towards the end of the half. For the Rossoneri, on the other hand, there were some chances - especially at the beginning of the second half with Longhi and Gala - that, sadly, did not catch out Torino's goalkeeper Passador.
A defeat, their sixth in Primavera 1, that leaves Abate's boys mid-table of a season that is still long, in which there will be plenty of chances at redemption for a team that has already demonstrated its value in recent months. For example in Europe, where AC Milan will face Salzburg on Wednesday afternoon for the last matchday of the group stage of the Youth League. Having already secured qualification to the knockout phase, a positive result would ensure the Rossoneri direct access to the Round of 16, skipping the intermediate play-off.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM TORINO V AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The match started as an uphill battle for Abate's team, as Torino took the lead in the 5th minute with Dell'Aquila: dribbling past Paloschi and curling it in with his left to make it 1-0. The Rossoneri responded with a header from Coubis, following a corner, which was parried twice by Passador. It was Andrei again who tried his luck with a low free-kick in the 21st minute, just grazing the far post after several minutes where AC Milan were unable to break through their strong defence. Gala and Alesi's shots from outside the box were also unsuccessful, but the Rossoneri developed the intesnity of their attacking movemements, also relying on Traorè's sparks. In their best spell of possession, however, came the hard blow of the Granata's second with Weidmann, a powerful right-footed effort in the 35th minute that slotted under the keeper. A difficult first half - also complicated by the departure of Paloschi and Traorè from the field due to physical issues - ended, however, with a relief, when Nava saved Jürgens' penalty in the 42nd minute.
At the start of the second half there was a determined approach by Abate's team, immediately on the attack and dangerous on a couple of occasions. Granata goalkeeper Passador first took care Longhi's header in the 47th minute and then, in the 51st minute, made a double save on Gala's volley. Torino regrouped and Dell'Aquila, in the 68th minute, came close to delivering the knockout blow with a right-footed shot that finished just wide of Nava's goal, but Passador was again responsive with his feet as he turned away Longhi's effort. The Rossoneri did not want to give up, they believed in themselves and continued to attack lavishly, and Lazetić and Omoregbe also entered for the final onslaught. The reinforcement to the offensive formation, however, did not generate any noteworthy chances, and in the second half Dell'Aquila again came close to scoring the third goal with a right-footed shot that hit the crossbar. Final whistle.
POST-MATCH STATEMENT
"It felt like watching a photocopy of other matches," said coach Abate after the match. "We're in control, but we don't foresee the danger; in defence, we were too passive in reading situations and not closing them down with tenacity. We are young, we must work to aim for something important. The road of improvement is still long, I hope that a match like this can also trigger in us a bit of bitterness and self-confidence. If you don't win tackles, don't feel the danger and don't have the desire and ambition to emerge, you can't win games".
MATCH DETAILS
TORINO 2-0 AC MILAN
TORINO (4-3-1-2): Passador; Dembélé, N'Guessan, Dellavalle, Antolini; Weidmann, Ruszel, Gineitis; Silva (64' Ciammaglichella); Dell'Aquila, Jürgens (82' Njie). Subs: Brezzo, López; Anton, Gaj, Opoku, Rettore; D'Agostino, Ruiz; Ansah, Caccavo, Corona. Coach: Scurto.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Paloschi (39' Nsiala), Bozzolan (62' Pluvio); Gala (72' Omoregbe), Eletu, Zeroli; Alesi, Longhi (72' Lazetić), Traorè (39' Scotti). Subs: Bartoccioni, Torriani; Bartesaghi, Casali, Simić; Stalmach; Mangiameli. Coach: Abate.
Referee: Collu from Cagliari.
Goals: 5' Dell'Aquila (T), 35' Weidmann (T).
Booked: 28' Eletu (M), 48' Dell'Aquila (T), 63' Silva (T).
Notes: 42' Nava (M) saves Jürgens (T) penalty.
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